Product Development Associate

Position Summary

This is a 12-month contract role based in Dublin, focused on providing creative assistance to major DTR Fashion retailers through design briefs and inspirational boards to enhance year-round fashion business. The associate will review and approve design submissions and products from DTR Fashion clients following the WB product development process across both Fashion and Home categories.

Ensuring compliance with Consumer Products policies, especially for owned properties, the role collaborates with Softline’s Hub to deliver compelling WB brand merchandise for retail. Additional responsibilities include performing competitive landscape research with the Product Development team and supporting the Creative team in London to develop mood boards, toolkits, and fashion graphics to inspire key licensees.

Periodic visits to retailer offices are required to provide onsite evaluation and approval advice.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with DTR Softline’s Hub to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Deliver tailored creative support based on DTR briefs and point of view boards to inspire key fashion accounts.
• Assist with concept CADs, design tasks, and product development initiatives for selected fashion retailers.
• Evaluate samples and design submissions to ensure adherence to brand guidelines and legal standards.
• Serve as the brand ambassador during product submission reviews, making approval decisions aligned with brand strategy, creativity, and quality standards.
• Approve or reject submissions according to creative quality and legal requirements.
• Provide in-depth feedback on concept, pre-production, and final samples, including product, packaging, marketing materials, and point of sale elements, informed by manufacturing knowledge and company policies.
• Maintain close working relationships with EMEA counterparts, designers, product development, commercial, and franchise teams to facilitate smooth approval processes.
• Champion creative, trend-forward product initiatives that contribute to KPIs, revenue goals, and overall business strategies, collaborating with commercial teams.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years in product development and design roles.
• Experience in both Fashion and Home product categories is essential.
• Preferably holds a design degree or related qualification.
• Previous work with high street fashion retailers is advantageous.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proficiency in Windows OS, Microsoft Word, and Excel is required.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is expected.
• Ability to quickly interpret and react to provided information.
• Familiarity with WB Intellectual Property guidelines and the capability to differentiate art styles for precise submission review and logging.
• Understanding of art production and general manufacturing processes.
• Strong attention to detail and an artistic sensibility.
• Competence in handling digital and AI-generated images.
• Excellent written English skills including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the capacity to accurately describe images and document all verbiage correctly.
• Capability to prioritize information effectively.
• Professional interaction skills with fashion retailers, buyers, licensees, and management at all levels.

Additional Requirements

• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Ability to comprehend and work with copyright and trademark knowledge relevant to product approvals.
• Capacity to work autonomously.
• Effective, tactful communication skills across all organizational levels, internal and external.
• Must thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage workload prioritization efficiently.

Note: Management reserves the right to modify duties and job requirements as needed.