Senior Product Development Specialist

We are seeking an exceptionally creative and experienced Senior Product Developer with a strong sense of fashion, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the product development cycle to lead design and creation for various fashion accessories. This role requires a strong creative vision, leadership skills, and advanced technical expertise in design software.

You will be responsible for applying critical thinking, leading the development of soft and hard goods, and providing mentorship to other Designers. A thorough understanding of product sourcing, costing, and factory relations is essential, as this role involves designing to source and managing the entire process from raw materials to the finished product.

This permanent opportunity requires the talent to work 3-5 days per week in the office depending on business needs, in Oakville, Ontario. The role may require travel to the US and internationally for market research and factory communications, a passport is a must!

This provides a high degree of creative control and the opportunity to set the vision for collections. The senior nature of the role means they will be the go-to person for advice and critical decision-making.

• A core function of the job is being highly focused on trending – fashion and social and having a deep understanding of fashion trends, consumer behavior, and the commercial aspects of the fashion industry. The role requires regular travel to domestic and international locations for market research and competitive analysis, ensuring you and the organization stay at the cutting edge of global fashion and retail trends, enhancing strategic forecasting abilities.

Maintain a deep focus on trending fashion (including social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest) and accurately interpret these trends into viable product designs.

• Develop fluid collections for various national and private label brands, ensuring a strong mix of accessories.
• Manage design timelines and budgets, ensuring efficient project completion and adherence to deadlines.
• Lead the product sourcing process, including selecting raw materials and working with new and existing overseas factories.
• Produce complex, high-quality, print-ready artwork using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, including All-Over Prints (AOP) and custom graphics.
• Create and execute detailed spec packages for overseas factories, including material information, technical sketches, and print artwork.
• Communicate regularly with overseas factories to ensure development sample standards and timelines are met.
• Manage, mentor and guide junior designers on design techniques, project management, and current trends.
• Travel domestically (e.g., Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (10/10) and advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop (8/10).
• Intermediate to Expert proficiency in Microsoft.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fashion trends, consumer behavior, and the commercial aspects of the fashion industry.
• Extensive experience in product sourcing and product development from raw materials to finished product, including managing factory communications and costing.
• Proven ability to recognize, interpret, and apply social media and cultural fashion trends into commercial designs.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, able to provide senior-level advice and challenge the status quo.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and international partners.
• Experience in Travel Accessories or Home Goods is considered an asset.
• Must possess a valid passport and be legally entitled to work in Canada (no work visa sponsorship is provided).

If you are a passionate and highly experienced Product Developer ready to take a leadership role in creating exciting accessory programs for national and private label brands, we encourage you to apply now. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to View email address on randstad.com.