Product Developer Beauty at Woolworths

MAIN PURPOSE

To interpret customer needs and lifestyle trends in accordance with Beauty Strategy and to apply this in the development of range concepts that offer real customer choice against the objectives of innovation, quality and value perceptions, whilst contributing to market share growth. To develop range concepts for Beauty colour cosmetics, bath and body, fragrance, skincare, gifting, cosmetic bags and accessories.

KEY OUTCOMES

CUSTOMER

• Integrate trends findings with category strategy to compile product and range concepts in line with the needs of the customer in the category

CATEGORY OPERATING PLAN

• Understand existing catalogue and make recommendations to grow profitable customer led ranges
• Drive innovation and newness
• Ensure adherence to Woolworths taste level and Brand DNA
• Analyze competitor activity with Buyers
• Analyze benchmark analysis with technology
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders in order to develop range concepts timeously Liaise with internal marketing studio to develop graphic designs timeously

PEOPLE

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with technology, buying, planning and other functional teams such as marketing and sales management
• Develop good working relationships with suppliers through regular and purposeful visits whilst maintaining professional behavior at all times

STORES AND CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

• Visit stores regularly for assessments and enter into regular communications with stores.
• Collate all feedback post visits and feedback via sales management

SUPPLIERS

• Agree and recognize quality parameters and in so doing continuously educate suppliers

PACKAGING

• Compile Graphic Design and Packaging concept brief to internal design studio
• Provide input into packaging development briefs with technology to suppliers
• Brief mock ups
• Ensure packaging developed by buying and technology is in line with original product concept brief

PRODUCT

• Input category trends for Trend Presentation
• Conduct product development workshops with buying and technology
• Develop Product Concept Brief – overall concept covering packaging, fragrance, product and design intention
• Brief suppliers on Product Concept
• Manage product development process with suppliers
• Drive innovation on product, packaging, design and range construction
• Measure products against standards and parameters with Technology
• Follow the prescribed workflow method in co-ordination with all stakeholders to deliver product launches on time
• Sign off pre-production samples

GRAPHIC DESIGN

• Develop Design Concept Brief – Graphic design brief to internal design studio
• Liaise with and provide feedback to studio and suppliers to ensure product and graphic design is in line with category requirements
• Prepare Design Brief document and presentation
• Feedback to broader team on design progress
• Input into copy brief
• Brief mock ups for product review
• Sign off design and artwork

TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Commercial understanding – understand how to transfer creativity and passion into commercially viable products coupled with the ability to understand and use sales and growth figures
• Sensory evaluation skills
• Knowledge of stores – understanding of customer profiles, layouts, location and competitors
• Packaging understanding – packaging development processes, suppliers and componentry
• Design – understanding graphic design processes, colour, design terminology
• Supplier knowledge – supplier operations , manufacturing process, product range, development constraints
• Supply chain knowledge – understanding of supply chain principles and processes
• Quality – in depth understanding of Woolworths quality standards
• Strategy development skills – the ability to use strategy development tools like SWOT analysis, industry analysis, trend analysis to develop strategies
• Computer Literacy – Outlook, Powerpoint, Indesign, Key Note, Excel
• Project Management skills – the ability to plan, organize and track multiple projects day to day, weekly, monthly and annually
• Communication and Presentation skills
• Beauty Product knowledge across all categories
• Style, Taste Level and an understanding of fashion/seasonality

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• 3 year relevant tertiary qualification/degree/diploma

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in Private label product development preferably in the Beauty Industry