Anatolia Tile & Stone is a leading importer and distributor of ceramic and stone tile and is a major supplier to some of the largest distributors throughout the United States and Canada. Based in Toronto, Anatolia Tile & Stone is a privately owned 100% Canadian corporation that is growing rapidly. Currently we are looking for an Director of Product Development to join our growing team.
Position Summary
The Director of Product Development is responsible for introducing new products for release. This includes identifying new trends in interior design and translating a creative vision into a stunning design in order to bring new products to life by championing the design, development and lifecycle management of a variety of innovative tile and stone products. Working closely with cross-functional teams, this position will apply passion for fashion, aesthetics and functionality in the interior space industry to design and source affordable products of the highest quality.
Duties & Responsibilities
Design Development
Oversee product development from ideation to creation, in support of a defined strategy that aligns with our customer and business objectives working closely with the cross-functional go-to-market team to ensure the product roadmap can successfully meet the requirements of the business plan.
Develop and cultivate a deep understanding of Anatolia’s brand, product collections and valued customers, directing all design initiatives to meet company objectives.
Responsible for development of the overall product strategy that drives the definition, the delivery of product releases and the full life cycle of the product.
Using effective communication and presentation skills, provide a clear visual map of how Anatolia’s collections and products will come to life and increase brand relevance.
Oversee design development from drawings to prototypes to fully developed products through to on-boarding products for sale.
Proactively ensure that concepts, designs and desired output are obtainable within the project timeline and budget.
Embrace innovation through continuous improvement by finding efficiencies in materials, construction techniques, etc. by thoroughly understanding cost of materials, quality requirements and manufacturing techniques.
Responsible for developing plans, setting milestones, reporting on progress and focusing on helping the team develop expertise, implement best practices, adhere to corporate process and consistently utilize systems to improve product planning and execution to achieve financial objectives.
Developing and evolving the overall product strategy to drive organic growth (revenue, customer count, usage, and volume) while providing input into the line of business strategy, technical direction and marketing aspects of the product portfolio.
Commercializing products on a global scale by creating winning products that are well positions relative to the competition, with the customer experience top of mind.
Through research, identify hot product trends and validate market challenges (existing and future) in order to seek new market opportunities and leverage the company’s distinctive competence in the evolution of the company’s core products.
Research, sketch, and create in order to facilitate the creation of technical sketches, colour legends, the building of mock-ups, proto-types, display boards, and building presentations by accurately communicating design vision through technical and detailed sketches.
Responsible for ensuring all products deliver our standards of quality, beauty and function to our customer and maintaining awareness of how the line is currently performing in stores by partnering with other departments and actioning feedback for continual innovation of product.
Review existing products and determine how they could work or look better, envision beyond the current to what's possible. Participate in the conversations regarding functionality of new products that are in development.
Create, update and publish launch calendars and timelines; communicating and disseminating key dates and information between departments to keep the company well-versed in the lasted company related new product development and launch activity.
Manage new product cost of goods for analysis of product pricing and placement within the marketplace and analyze price quotes and assist in negotiation of quotes to ensure customer and internal target prices are achieved
Monitor daily status of assigned product development including design, quality testing and production timelines; efficiently manage workflow from initial sketch through final placement of product.
People Relationship Management
Inspire breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement while leading and directing a team of in-house project managers and multidisciplinary designers/suppliers from ideation to the physical delivery of world class, customer-centric product designs.
Leading, motivating and energizing direct reports and cross functional teams that are responsible for delivery, engineering, sales and support including developing team processes, monitoring for compliance and continuously improving for optimized results.
Serve as the main point-of-contact for vendor communication throughout the production process; effectively communicate with both domestic and international vendors from product request to bulk shipment
Anticipate and prevent issues for the team to keep the pathway clear by manage KPIs and hold accountability across the team to meet deadlines.
Develop and enhance great relationships with contract manufacturers and designers, working proactively and collaboratively to develop new original designs.
Work closely with the QA Team to improve designs and find solutions for construction problems.
Collaborate with the Supply Chain Team to assist in improving forecasting and service level of stock availability for new introductions as well as existing items.
Partnering closely with the Merchandising Team to build the line plan and ensure merchandising materials are sufficiently stocked and delivery timelines are achieved.
packaging is solid, efficient, customer experience friendly and environmentally responsible
Liaise with the Customer Service and Sales Teams to raise understanding and awareness of product lines in order to enable the provision of exceptional customer service.
Daily collaboration with both outside vendors and internal team members to source information and project component quotes and costs.
Responsible for performance evaluations, hiring and consistent coaching of your design team
Qualifications
10 years of experience in interior design and product development from a similar or related industry.
Bachelor’s Degree in Interior or Industrial Design or related program required, and a clear passion for interior design, home furnishings and architecture.
Innovative, self-motivated, business-oriented, and passionate about creating high value products for customers
Senior design experience in a high-volume environment required
Demonstrated ability to rally cross-functional teams around a design vision through effective presentation skills and leadership.
Expert ability to apply, perform and manage design skills such as drawing/sketching, concept ideation, texture and scale, pattern drawing, understanding patterns and creating 3D forms.
Ability to travel on inspiration trips and to offshore factories to oversee design, manufacturing and quality development as needed, with past experience communicating with offshore suppliers/vendors an asset (particularly those in Turkey, Asia and India).
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply technical knowledge of product performance, raw material and construction methods.
Highly attentive to the finest details, with an unwavering commitment to impeccable quality and stunning design.
Strong computer skills (Excel, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office applications, Outlook)
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. Anatolia Tile & Stone is a C-TPAT facility, and as such, successful candidates who receive an offer of employment are subject to applicable background checks (criminal, credit, references and employment verification). Anatolia Tile & Stone is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process. Anatolia Tile & Stone will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known in advance. Interested applicants should submit their updated resume and application form on or before the posting deadline closes. We thank all applicants for their interest however only those meeting the minimum qualifications will be interviewed.