Junior Product Developer

THE COMPANY: Specialist Sports Ltd is a well-established and expanding sporting goods agency offering Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Creative solutions to performance sports brands including world leading brand adidas. Specialist Sports is based on the western edge of Southampton. Specialist Sports hold the adidas license to control 12 product categories in the UK & Ireland as well as several other territories around the world. The category portfolio includes Hockey, Cricket, Tennis, Track & Field, Rugby, Olympic Sports and Teamwear featuring a range of products used by many of the world’s best athletes and grassroots enthusiasts. Specialist Sports are custodians of the adidas brand in these categories and hold Sports Marketing contracts with relevant Governing Bodies, leading clubs and athletes. Furthermore, Specialist Sports hold the global creation license to manufacture apparel, accessories and hardgoods across a number of categories to support the overarching commercial strategy. SPECIALIST SPORTS CREATION: Created in 2023 as a new company within the Specialist Sports group, SSC is the global license holder for the manufacturer of adidas performance products covering apparel, accessories and hardgoods. Specialist Sports are committed to building a high performance, best in class team to drive the creation process of market leading products underpinning a key growth leaver for the company. Specialist Sports are looking to recruit a Product Developer to establish and drive the critical path for all product development within this newly established business function. The successful candidate will have exceptional and intricate knowledge of the creation process across apparel, accessories and hardgoods. Strong commercial acumen is a pre-requisite whilst driving solutions to meet global product demands and ensure company metrics across operations, financial and brand are met. They will work alongside the existing and experienced sales, category and marketing teams to achieve and exceed these metrics. ROLE:The successful candidate will lead the development process of Specialist Sports Creation business and be responsible for the following key deliverables:·      Accountable for the development of seasonal and long life-cycle products across adidas performance categories demonstrating experience across apparel, accessories and hard goods·      Manage and lead the creation of licensed ranges for professional sports clubs utilising a mix of sourcing pathways combining totally new, SMU and existing product ranges·      Take category briefs and generate product briefs, driving the process from inception through to buy-ready·      Support all areas of product development to achieve quality and delivery in line with business and brand expectations·      Own the critical pathway for development and hold operational meetings with key stake holders as required throughout the process·      Provide final sign off on production standards and sealed samples to ensure quality, fit and costing expectations are achieved·      Demonstrate knowledge of performance materials and embellishment solutions across the range to confidently drive innovation and desirability·      Support on all sourcing topics understanding clearly the market requirements and factory capabilities to optimise outputs·      Ensure the development, sampling and production deadlines are adhered to and manage product costings to attain commercial targets·      Work cross functionally with internal and external partners to ensure shared business objectives are exceeded·      Lead the creation development and creation process in a way that optimises commercial performance, innovation, functionalityCandidates should hold relevant industry experience and qualifications, have an enthusiastic professional approach and a personal affinity with sports. The successful candidate should be self-driven who is excited at the prospect of playing a pivotal role in this exciting phase for the company. The role will ideally be primarily office based at Nursling Industrial Estate, Southampton but national/international travel should be expected. Working hours may be varied depending on the requirements of the role.