Product Lead - North America

PORTWEST, a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE is currently seeking applications for the position of Product Lead for North America in the USA (remote) Portwest is one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world currently employing over 5,300 staff worldwide, with customer service staff in over 130+ countries and 11 Global warehouses in UK, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, UAE, USA and Australia. We design, manufacture and distribute market leading workwear, safety wear and PPE in fully owned production facilities. 

JOB TITLE: Product Lead North America 
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full time 
REPORTS TO: Head of Product

As Portwest has recently expanded in North America, we are seeking to appoint a North America Product Lead to help grow our local product ranges. The North America Product Lead will develop a growth-oriented product strategy for the Portwest and IFR brands in the USA and Canada. Initially, the focus will be on flame-resistant products, with plans to eventually broaden to other product lines. Responsibilities include reviewing the current product range, pricing, and marketing, and creating a plan to drive continuous portfolio growth through new product development and improvements.

OVERVIEW OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage, lead, train and motivate a team of Product Managers of varying levels to develop products and ranges to satisfy customer needs and stay ahead of competitors in the North American Market.

• Lead and be fully responsible for the end-to-end development process, including gap analysis, sampling, tech pack creation and production.

• Fully embrace the Portwest Product Management model and to impart this on their Team.

• Recruitment of suitable qualified personnel to compliment current product team.

• Representing Portwest at events and forums, Focus Groups, Area Sales Manager visits, Trade Fairs etc.

• Close liaison with Marketing to promote Portwest brand across North America.

• Work with procurement on improving costs and intelligent sourcing - from both existing and new vendors.

• Train Sales Team on the offer and how to present it.

• Maintain close links with Supply Chain to ensure goods are shipped on time & to manage excess stock, product life-cycle management, QRT.

• Keep abreast of legislative changes in PPE and ensure all products are fully compliant with the appropriate legislation.

• Regularly review brand, range and product performance.

• KPI’s include the achievement of the outlined objectives of this Job Specification.

• Growth, Vitality and custom targets as defined by the business annually.

• Additional specific KPIs may be set by the Line Manager at any time.

  

REQUIREMENTS: 

• 15 + years in the PPE or a closely related Industry.

• Degree qualification and professional experience in garment technology, fashion design or similar.

• Experience in a product leadership role.

COMPANY AWARDS 

• Great Place To Work 2023

• Best Medium Sized Workplaces 2022

• Ibec Leading in Wellbeing Top 100 companies 2021

• Portwest CEO - Business Man Of The Year - In Business Ireland 2020

• Deloitte Best Managed Companies 2016-2023

• Private Irish Business of the Year Export Industry Awards 2019

• Exporter of the Year 2018

• Portwest CEO - EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017

Portwest do not support visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have a right to work and must fulfill any relevant visa / work permit requirements in the relevant jurisdiction. 

Portwest are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status or membership of a minority group.