Director Product Development Job in Framingham 01701, Massachusetts Us
Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media. Staples values the diversity of our customers, associates and suppliers.
We offer very competitive benefits including; dynamic work environment, 401K, discounted employee stock purchase plan, adoption assistance, Annual Associate Scholarship Plan, Associate InventionQuest, training and development, "Work/Life" initiatives and other voluntary benefits such as pet insurance and identity theft protection. This all translates into exciting career opportunities with a talented team dedicated to personal and professional growth.
Director Product Development
Introduction: With over $5B in sales, Staples Brands Group is a world-class, global brand company within Staples, Inc. The extensive selection of Staples brand products ranges from core supplies such as paper and envelopes to patented shredders, ergonomic office chairs, technology items, facilities supplies and a broad range of eco-responsible options. Guaranteed quality, exceptional value and smart design are hallmarks of the brand. Staples brand products are quality tested in independent labs and customer researched to ensure designs that make the workday easier. Staples Brands Group sells its product lines to businesses and consumers through Staples retail stores, online, catalogs and through its sales organizations. The branded products are also sold globally across 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Position Summary: The Director, Product Development provides leadership for a team of associates to develop and manage private brand products within the Staples Brands Group to ensure the products meet or exceed brand performance guidelines, are compliant with all regulations within the country of sale and that the development timelines are consistently met. The Director also creates, gains support for and executes strategies and tactics to reduce product defective rates, improve on time delivery, and reduce product cost. Additionally, the Director models the way as the category product expert and interfaces with Executives within the Merchandising organizations and key leaders within the SBC (Asia) organization.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and guidance to sourcing teams in finding suppliers who can meet capacity, quality, delivery and cost requirements of Staples Own Brand
- Direct team in the execution of development packages in a timely manner, meeting sample quality and cost targets. Accept full responsibility for successful development within assigned categories and work to remove roadblocks for your team
- Oversee the negotiation of product costs and minimum order quantities with suppliers. Review assigned categories for cost savings opportunities related to improved sourcing, specification adjustments or OEM leverage
- Actively develop strong relationships with key leaders within the Merchandising and Inventory organizations to aid in the removal of obstacles that inhibit successful development. Serve as the internal product expert and use this expertise to assist Product Management in presenting new products to the Merchant teams
- Direct the setting of performance and regulatory compliance testing requirements. Specify critical component suppliers/specifications when needed
- Investigate, present and implement product improvements, new product categories and innovative concepts
- Work with Staples Global Buying Team to incorporate new suppliers into worldwide category bid schedules
Qualifications: Basic:
- Bachelor Degree required
- Minimum 10 years of experience in Product development, Project management, and/or manufacturing
Preferred:
- Knowledge of all aspects of office products including materials, manufacturing processes, suppliers and costs
- Excellent leadership skills. Ability to direct a team and achieve results while staying on schedule. Strong project management skills
- Excellent communication and problem solving skills. Ability to build strong relationships within the Staples organization
- Strong negotiating skills and understanding of logistics and manufacturing operations
- Ability to work well in a group and motivate team members. Proven ability to develop team members into future leaders within Staples
- Ability to travel globally
Additional Information:
- Travel Percentage: 10%
Staples is an EEO/AA Employer