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: Product Concept & Design · 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: · Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Fashion, Product Development, or a related field preferred. · 4–6 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