Universal Orlando Resort believes in-person collaboration is key to our success. Many of our Team Members work in a hybrid capacity, contributing from the workplace a minimum of three days per week. There are also roles that require being on-site full time. Limited remote opportunities may be available within specific departments. You’ll learn more about this during the recruitment process.

JOB SUMMARY:

As a Merchandise Product Development Director, you will lead the implementation of the product development process, encompassing category and creative design, vendor selection and management, and quality execution. You will collaborate closely with Brand, PDS, and ATI teams, ensuring effective communication and financial accountability. Your role involves driving the team to innovation within specific categories to align with the Brand's vision, while also providing leadership and development to direct reports. Your expertise will be driving the team in delivering exceptional products that support our strategic goals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Product development process management:
  • Ensures all aspects of product development steps are achieved and product is delivered and ready for point of purchase (including managing art-to-product, sample creation, fit sessions/paint master/tooling, where applicable, social and safety compliance and quality). Coordinates between vendors, suppliers, and Product Design & Development to facilitate kickoffs, submittals, and approvals executed on time. Ensure Category Line Reviews are implemented with the team, presenting to senior leaders to support the global development milestone calendar.
• Category & creative design:
  • Develops and implements comprehensive calendar timelines and production schedules for multiple categories. Drives the team's seasonal and long-term plans, leveraging a deep understanding of historical and current product performance and market trends. Determines the creative direction for categories, collaborating closely with Brand and Product Design Directors to ensure alignment and innovation.
• Operational Partnership:
  • Leads communication across all divisions (retail operations, marketing, creative, PR) to ensure business alignment and the sharing of deliverables. Supports company initiatives by driving category development programs that align with events, park priorities, and trends, ensuring consistency with the overall strategic goals and guests expectations.
• Sourcing & quality execution:
  • Leads teams collaboration between Category management and product sourcing team for international and domestic vendors. Leads review of competitor analysis, benchmarks industry standards, and focuses on practical trends, product innovation, and market dynamics to ensure quality execution.
• Partnership and Communication:
  • Proactively fosters positive and efficient communication with partners, PDS, Creative, Planning & Operations, vendors, leaders, team members, and IP partners to resolve challenges and achieve objectives.
• Financial ownership & cost savings:
  • responsible for specific category’s performance to include per cap, COG, and inventory goals. Responsible for hitting delivery dates to ensure these goals are met. Responsible for exploring all options for cost savings.
• Leadership:
  • responsible for actively training, mentoring and developing their teams and have a strong influence on peers and partners

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ years’ experience in retail operations and retail management or 10+ years’ experience in product development.
• 4+ years’ experience brand development management; or equivalent combination of education and experience

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
• Requires interaction with global partners outside normal business hours.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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