Reporting to: Product Development Manager
Role Overview
As the Assistant Product Developer Bags & Luggage at SMD, you will play a critical role in supporting the Product Development Manager in the sourcing, development, and growth of our bags and luggage category. You will be responsible for handling customer appointments, product-related queries, and developing expertise in this category.
This role requires a strong understanding of retail dynamics, cost analysis, and product development. Initially, you will spend significant time training in Durban before transitioning to a Johannesburg-based role. The long-term goal is for you to manage the South African business while the Product Development Manager focuses on expanding internationally.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Sourcing:
- Assist in the development and sourcing of bags and luggage, ensuring products meet quality and cost standards.
- Conduct competitive analysis and stay updated on global trends in bags and luggage.
- Work on range building, helping to create commercially viable collections for the South African market.
- Manage customer appointments and respond to product-related queries.
- Engage directly with retail buyers and planners to understand their needs and tailor product offerings accordingly.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with retailers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Perform detailed costings, ensuring products are priced competitively and profitably.
- Analyze and understand rebates, exchange rates (ROE), P&L, margins vs. mark-ups, and pricing strategies.
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities within product development and sourcing.
- Conduct market research to understand seasonality, pricing, and consumer preferences.
- Track and report on product performance and suggest improvements based on customer feedback and sales data.
- Stay informed about local festive and calendar events that may impact product demand and availability.
- Oversee supply chain coordination to ensure timely product availability.
- Maintain accurate documentation, including order tracking, cost breakdowns, and supplier communications.
- Assist in managing retail timelines and range reviews to align with key selling periods.
- 2-3 years experience in product development, buying, or retail.
- Strong numerical skills ability to handle costings, pricing structures, and financial analysis.
- Passion for product a keen eye for fashion, trends, and product aesthetics. (Bag knowledge is not required, as training will be provided.)
- Retail experience understanding of how retailers, buyers, and planners operate, including seasonality, range reviews, and competitive analysis.
- People skills confident, engaging, and able to build strong relationships with internal teams and customers.
- Proficiency in Excel and other relevant software for data analysis and reporting.
- Goal-oriented and able to work independently while managing multiple projects.
This is an exciting opportunity to learn and grow in the bags and luggage category while playing a key role in managing our South African business. As you develop in the role, you will gain the skills and knowledge to take on more independent responsibilities, freeing up the Product Development Manager to focus on international growth.
If you have a passion for product development, numbers, and retail, and youre eager to make an impact in a growing company, wed love to hear from you!
