Project Specialist, Product Development

Overview

The Product Development Project Specialist role at Harry Winston involves managing all facets of the product development lifecycle with a focus on operational processes, technical coordination, asset oversight, and comprehensive reporting. This position requires active coordination among multiple departments to ensure timely project execution from conception through final evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee product development projects through stages including cost assessment, prototype creation, test production runs, and final approvals.
• Track progress of new product initiatives ensuring adherence to timelines, manage project data, maintain Product Development Milestone tracking, and coordinate the Launch Calendar.
• Liaise closely with manufacturing teams to confirm that quality standards for product development are met.
• Facilitate cross-department collaboration involving Merchandise Planning, Supply Management, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Gemstone Acquisition to drive project completion.
• Generate work orders and contribute to the preparation of product cost cards encompassing bills of materials.
• Address project conflicts, scope changes, priority updates, and other adjustments throughout the development process.
• Monitor and manage target costs, estimate revisions, and final costs for projects.
• Maintain consistent daily communication with design, manufacturing, and sourcing teams.
• Supervise the review and processing of stone layouts for upcoming products.
• Coordinate Quality Assurance inspections and Engineering reviews to ensure product integrity.
• Conduct reviews and basic creation of CAD prototypes, hard models, and sample pieces.
• Secure management of new sample pieces and un-mounted stones to protect assets.
• Perform inventory cycle counts to maintain accurate tracking.
• Oversee organization and preservation of final artwork files, including scanning and imaging for internal referencing.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum of five years' experience in fine jewelry manufacturing or development.
• Proficiency with Rhino CAD software is a must.
• Graduate Gemologist certification is preferred.
• Strong project management capabilities involving detailed planning and execution with cross-functional teams to meet both immediate and long-range goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills conducive to teamwork.
• Self-driven with high motivation toward organizational effectiveness and improving departmental operations.