Project Specialist, Product Development

Job Summary

The Product Development Project Specialist will facilitate all aspects of the Product Development process related to operational processes, technical coordination, asset management, and reporting. Cross-functional activities include daily project management, tooling and cost estimate analysis, prototype development, test run production, product approval documentation, and final project performance evaluation. Experience in CAD prototyping and modeling methods a must.

Key Duties, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Project Management:

• Manage product development projects through all phases: cost analysis, prototyping, test-runs, final sign-off.
• Monitor status of new products to ensure progress tracking and maintaining project completion timelines. Responsible for project data management, Product Development Milestone tracking, Launch Calendar coordination, project tracking updates.
• Work closely with manufacturing to ensure products are developed per quality standards.
• Coordination of cross-functional resources to facilitate project completion, including support as needed from Merchandise Planning, Supply Management, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Gemstone Acquisition.
• Create work orders and assist in the creation of product cost cards, inclusive of bill of materials.
• Manage conflicts, changes, priorities, and scope shifts throughout the project development process.
• Manage target costs, estimates, cost changes, and final cost for development projects.
• Maintain daily active communication with design, manufacturing, and sourcing.
• Manage review and processing of stone layouts for new projects.
• Coordinate Quality Assurance inspections and Engineering review.
• Review and basic creation of CAD prototypes, hard models and samples.

Security and Asset Management:

• Manage and maintain security of new samples, and un-mounted stones.
• Manage inventory cycle counts.
• Manage and maintain final artwork files, artwork scanning, and product imaging for internal use.

Job Qualifications

• 5 years’ prior fine jewelry manufacturing/development experience.
• Knowledge of Rhino
• Graduate Gemologist preferred.
• Excellent Project Management skills that entail preparing and working through the detailed steps associated with developing products with cross functional team members to achieve both short and long term objectives.
• Team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with a strong drive for organization and departmental efficiency.