Product Design & Development Associate - Footwear & Accessories

Overall Purpose of the Role

Develop trend and brand right products for licensees and DTRs, providing technical Product Design direction, inspiration and support across footwear and accessories.

Execute Product Design, development and approval process for relevant category.

Areas of Responsibility

• Execute the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner, ensuring all product submissions are routed through Disney’s Online Product Approval (OPA) system as per global product integrity guidelines
• Provide Product Design and trend direction, inspiration and feedback to licensees on both 2D application and 3D product submissions in order to drive product quality
• Train and develop all new and existing licensees on the Disney brand, property portfolio, creative assets and approval systems
• Responsible for ensuring licensees have the appropriate creative assets for product development
• Develop and maintain successful working relationships with licensees and other internal and external stakeholders
• Create product pitches, new Product Design visuals, and dedicated core design mock ups under supervision of Senior Product Design and Development Manager/Product Design and Development Manager
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of Disney’s characters, films, properties, heritage and creative assets in order to assist in their usage on consumer products
• Support the needs of the wider team at regional, local and global level as required including involvement in design projects, as directed
• Ensure products comply with corporate policies and legislation
• Maintain contemporary knowledge of Product Design and graphic trends (in relevant category), leading brands and relevant pop culture
• As required, attend ‘inspiration’ trips to broaden understanding of the EMEA marketplace, seeking out ideas and new creative solutions in order to better understand the industry and drive innovation and creativity

Training and Professional Development

• Operate with integrity, champion change and be a good ambassador for the Walt Disney Company (TWDC)
• Operate as part of an effective and inclusive team by demonstrating an awareness of others; welcoming and valuing unique perspectives and ideas; offering support, sharing knowledge and best practices in order to contribute to overall departmental commitments
• Take ownership of your professional development through regular career conversations with your line manager and utilising available resources such as D Learn, instructor-led courses and on the job learning
• Proactively suggest ways to improve departmental performance and processes, leveraging technological tools where applicable
• Build links with other TWDC functions to develop broader knowledge of the business
• Promote and maintain an inclusive workplace, championing diversity and inclusion and make use of available resources to extend knowledge and best practice

Areas of Accountability

• Accountable to Senior Product Design and Development Manager/Product Design and Development Manager
• Accountable for ensuring licensees have the appropriate creative assets for product development
• Accountable for executing the approval process from initiation to production in a timely manner
• Accountable for ensuring products comply with corporate policies and legislation

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• Degree educated in related field (Product Design, etc.) and/or equivalent experience in lifestyle product company
• Proven commercial product development experience in relevant categories or Product Design role at a licensee, retail head office or supplier, beneficial
• Some packaging experience, and understanding of style guides for the Online Product Approval (OPA) system, desirable
• Proven experience creating prototypes or models

Skills Required

• Knowledge of trends within the industry of relevant category and the broader world of design with working knowledge of common manufacturing techniques and their application in production
• An ability to communicate a clear Product Design brief and basic design ideas using CAD drawing, computer techniques and/or third party design resources
• An ability to deliver against set deadlines and budgets as directed
• Strong design and conceptual skills
• Understanding of fabric, colour and Product Design
• Presentation skills with the ability to effectively present design ideas to internal/external stakeholders at all levels
• Understanding of production techniques and graphic applications with an eye for colour and shape, preferred
• In depth knowledge of fabrics and stitching techniques, preferred
• Ability to influence and support change amongst stakeholders
• Written and spoken English for business use, essential; other European languages, beneficial
• Computer literate including Mac OSX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and MS Office
• Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of local markets across EMEA

Additional Information

• Flexibility for frequent UK, European or international travel may be required
• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs