Supervisor, Global Collaborations & Special Projects Kipling

Supervisor, Global Collaborations & Special Projects Kipling

VF Corporation

Antwerp, Belgium

Let’s Talk about the Role

The role will be part of the Kipling global product department team and will report to the Global merchandising manager.

You will own the special projects flow for Kipling globally. This includes all collaborations, the licensing projects as well as some ‘out of collection’ developments.

Your mission is to define and execute the Global energy pipeline for the brand.

Alongside with the Global merchandising manager, plan the upcoming collaboration flow, scout and secure the partners, follow up on the design developments up until go to market implementation.

You are responsible for the contracts, the royalty’s payment and all necessary approvals.

You will also lead the licensing projects – recruiting new or maintaining existing partners, following up on category, products, design and implementation approvals.

In details:

• Develop and maintain the initiatives to meet the needs of the target consumers and the market requirements in terms of price, distribution and brand positioning;
• Manage the full flow of the collaboration and special projects and inline exclusive projects from product concept and design phase to samples;
• Follow up the development process and direct the Design and Development team;
• Collect all data from cross functional teams to generate ad-hoc reporting linked to forecasts follow-up, sell in, sell through and establish efficiency reports for each project;
• Manage for the Collaboration calendar, phasing, upcoming plans and alignment;
• Ownership of the Collaboration process including introductions, contract executions and royalties/fees follow-ups;
• Extensive Go to Market overview and support from project launch planning to follow up with other departments (logistic/marketing/digital);
• Alignment with the special project partners to meet their needs in terms of product launches;
• Alignment with the different departments to ensure an efficient go to market implementation.

How You Will Make a Difference

Analyze:

• Understand the needs of the target consumers and competitive environment;
• Maintain constant awareness of market requirements and needs;
• Sustain strong knowledge of current and upcoming trends;
• Follow up of the Go-To-Market targets: monitor and put the projects in timeline to fulfil the markets with the ad-hoc projects.

Plan & Execute:

• Active follow up and following up of the collaboration and licensing opportunities;
• Stakeholder for all contractual negotiations with partners, legal teams until contract signature;
• Accountable to align on terms and conditions with the partners to achieve a legal agreement linked to each project and targets;
• Plan the full process to allow smooth development workflow and deliver the products within the deadlines;
• Validate product styling direction and execution ensuring consistency within the global direction and strategy;
• Monitor the development of prototype samples with our internal design team or the licensing partners;
• Operate as key contact for design partners and licensors and align on their requests;
• Engage and align with other departments to fulfil the Go-To-Market process;
• Ensure a constant evaluation of launched items/projects by seeking market feedback and product performance check;
• Collect all data from cross functional teams to generate ad-hoc reporting linked to forecasts follow-up, sell in, sell through and establish efficiency reports for each project;
• Deliver the partner meetings, internal meetings and sales meetings presentations;
• Follow up on Design fees, Royalties and Project Costs in a structured way with the regions and Finance;
• Oversee the entire reporting process: ensure accurate consolidation of sales data and timely submission of royalty reports.

Skills for Success

• Business management related degree;
• Minimum 5 years of experience, in project management - preferably in the fashion and accessory industry, a legal knowledge is a plus!
• Deep understanding of the Kipling brand as well as the performance and industry;
• Fluent in English (both written and spoken);
• Willing to travel Globally (5%).

Apply Now