Product Design & Development Manager

Our client a growing consumer-focused business in Dubai is actively seeking a Product Design & Development Manager who can transform ideas into commercially viable products. The role combines product design development materials packaging supplier management sampling costing and production coordination.

Location: Dubai UAE

Package :-4-5K

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Translate product ideas and brand direction into commercially viable products.
• Develop concepts mood boards colour palettes materials finishes and product details.
• Research global trends across beauty jewellery fashion accessories gifting youth culture and lifestyle products.
• Identify new product opportunities and contribute innovative product concepts.
• Ensure products are relevant to the target consumer and aligned with the brand direction.

Product Development

• Own the complete product development cycle from idea and concept through design sampling revision costing approval and production.
• Create detailed product specifications and supplier briefs.
• Work directly with manufacturers and suppliers to develop products.
• Review samples and manage revisions to achieve the required quality and design standards.
• Check product dimensions materials colours finishes and construction.
• Ensure final manufactured products accurately reflect approved designs.
• Maintain clear product development timelines and project trackers.

Packaging Development

• Develop packaging concepts alongside product development.
• Ensure packaging is visually appealing commercially practical and suitable for retail presentation.
• Consider materials dimensions cost shipping efficiency and display requirements.
• Coordinate with graphic designers on artwork typography and brand elements.
• Review packaging samples and approve final production specifications.

Supplier & Manufacturing Management

• Work directly with suppliers and factories in China India and other manufacturing hubs.
• Be willing to travel to manufacturing hubs to meet suppliers and factories when required.
• Source new suppliers and manufacturing capabilities.
• Communicate product specifications clearly to suppliers and manufacturers.
• Negotiate sampling MOQs materials production options and commercial terms.
• Monitor supplier quality and execution.
• Identify and resolve product-development challenges efficiently.

Costing & Commercial Decisions

• Understand target retail prices and required margins before product development begins.
• Work backwards from target selling price to establish achievable product costs.
• Compare materials and manufacturing alternatives.
• Identify unnecessary costs without compromising product quality.
• Evaluate whether product concepts are commercially viable before proceeding to production.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Product Design Industrial Design Fashion Product Development or a related field preferred.
• 46 years of relevant product design and development experience.
• Experience in beauty/cosmetics jewellery fashion accessories gifting stationery kids/tween products lifestyle products or consumer products preferred.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating physical products personally developed or launched.
• Excellent understanding of product design materials manufacturing and packaging.
• Strong aesthetic judgment combined with commercial awareness.
• Experience dealing directly with factories and suppliers.
• Experience managing sampling revisions costing and production.
• Understanding of margins and target retail pricing.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Adobe Illustrator Photoshop or similar design skills are an advantage.
• Strong communication negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Number of commercially viable new products developed and launched.
• Product development timelines achieved.
• Sample-to-approval turnaround time.
• Percentage of products launched on schedule.
• Target cost and margin achievement.
• Reduction in unnecessary sampling rounds.
• Product quality and consistency.
• Supplier performance and new supplier/material opportunities identified.
• Commercial performance of newly developed products.

Compensation with standard benefits

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