Product Development Senior Assistant

JOB SUMMARY:

In addition to supporting the Product Manager on the overall category, SAPM will also be the owner of a portion of that category from development to delivery.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own of a portion of the category including bid package creation, cost negotiation/engineering and presentation of samples and costing to leadership and CFT.
• Manage the approval process for all products purchased in area of responsibility. This includes logging in lab dips, reviewing strike off comments with CFT and advising vendor, reviewing trims, bulk prints, PP and TOPS etc.
• Track progress of all styles on order to ensure production/delivery is on time. This includes monitoring WIPS and shipment reports etc.
• Timely, clear and concise e-mail/communications with vendors and/or Cato overseas offices as well as CFT.
• Attend fit sessions and direct comments to appropriate parties if corrections are needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with Cross Functional Team (CFT)
• Maintain FLEX PLM for styles in category.
• Maintain production files for styles in category.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Four-Year College Degree or Equivalent

WORK EXPERIENCE: 1-2 years’ experience as an Assistant Product Manager

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Detail oriented/highly organized.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly with overseas vendors and Cato counterparts in Asia.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work with multiple cross functional partners.
• Ability to cost engineer garments and negotiate costing.
• Able to present product/costing to leadership
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Microsoft Outlook.
• Retail math

REQUIRED PRE-EMPLOYMENT/SKILLS TESTING:

1. Drug Test/Criminal Background Screen
2. Microsoft Outlook
3. Microsoft Excel
4. Basic Office Skills
5. Office Math Skills