VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND BUYING

For over 39 years, Northern Reflections has been a proudly design-driven brand, with a strong network of stores across Canada and a growing eCommerce presence, we are committed to delivering quality, comfort and timeless styles to our customers. We are always looking for experienced, top-notch talent who share our commitment to building trust, strengthening our brand, and fostering sustainable growth.

Together, we are creating a future that honors our heritage while adapting to the ever-changing needs of our loyal and new customers alike. Northern Reflections invites you to join us in creating a brighter, multi-generational future-where trust, collaboration, and growth are at the heart of everything we do.

Reporting to the President, Northern Reflections, the Vice President of Product Development & Buying is a strategic leader with a passion for women's apparel, blending creative innovation with strong financial and operational expertise. This role will oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept development to buying, ensuring alignment with brand vision, customer preferences, and financial goals. The VP will lead cross-functional teams to deliver trend-right, high-quality assortments while maximizing profitability and driving sustainable growth. This role in collaboration will create the brand's products and collections and work with a talented team of designers, buyers, QA specialists and manufacturing partners to bring these products to life.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy Leadership:

• Define and execute the product development and buying strategy in alignment with the company's vison values and financial objectives.
• Drive the strategic and creative vision for the product assortment, ensuring it aligns with the brand identity, customer demand, market trend and profitability. Partner with cross-functional teams to harmonize design direction with the brand's vision and financial objectives.
• Set and manage annual budgets, sales and margin targets for the department.

Product Development:

• Oversee the design team, ensuring that colour, patterns and products are innovative, customer-focused, and align with the brand's high standards of design and versatility. Establish meaningful, long-term relationships with design studios, artists and design partners/collaborators. Plan & chart the flow of the collections- ensuring newness/cohesive drops on the sales floor every 2 weeks.
• Sourcing & Manufacturing: Oversee sourcing and manufacturing operations, ensuring collaboration across teams and a commitment to quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Communicate the product vision, purpose and process to our Sourcing office, vendors, and mills to ensure strategy is supported by all global partners.
• QA Team and Process Oversight: Oversee the Quality Assurance team to ensure products meet stringent quality and fit standards.

Buying & Merchandising:

• Oversee the buying strategy, ensuring product assortment align with the design vision and financial objective both pre and in-season business performance and/or consumer insights.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to optimize product storytelling and go-to-market execution.
• Manage open-to-buy (OTB) planning, ensuring the right balance of risk and opportunity within the assortment.

Financial Accountability:

• Identify opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining quality and design integrity.
• Analyze weekly key product performance metrics, including sales, margin, inventory levels and SKU productivity to manage risk and opportunities in-season and post season.
• Budget and responsibly manage the Department's P&L.

Team Leadership:

• Build and mentor a high-performing team of designers, developers, and buyers, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and innovation.
• Provide coaching and professional development opportunities to nurture talent within the organization.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration across design, marketing, finance, and operations teams.

Qualifications:

• Extensive Industry Experience: 15+ years of progressive experience in product development, design, and/or buying, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably within the apparel industry.
• Expertise in Apparel Processes: Proven expertise in apparel design, development, and manufacturing processes, including comprehensive knowledge of global sourcing and production.
• Strong Financial Acumen: Demonstrated expertise in managing budgets, planning financial resources, and analyzing performance metrics to drive informed decision-making and achieve organizational objectives.
• Proven Experience in Profitability Strategies: A solid track record of developing and implementing profitable product strategies, successfully managing budgets, and consistently meeting or exceeding financial goals.
• Leadership in Change and Growth: Proven experience leading teams through periods of change and growth while upholding high standards of design, quality, and performance excellence.
• Exceptional Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead with exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, fostering strong cross-functional collaboration and alignment to achieve organizational objectives.