Pre-Production Technology Lead

Position Overview

The Director of Product Design and Merchandising Technology within Ralph Lauren’s Product Create & Pre-Production IT Domain plans and manages the development and support of Pre-Production solutions that drive business process efficiencies for the Ralph Lauren global product community. The role supports all brands and product categories including apparel, footwear, accessories, and home. S/he will drive strategic technology and process improvement conversations; help to define new initiatives - inclusive of business case creation, resource and budget planning; lead and execute projects; total oversight of daily production support, integrations & release management, leveraging a team of consultants, offshore developers, internal business analysts, project members and business partners; engage in projects that support the RL enterprise landscape. The application footprint includes, but is not limited to, Design & Technical Design tools (Browzwear, Adobe, additional 3D & 2D CAD applications), and Merchandising and Design tools for Line Architecture & Visual Line Collaboration (VibeIQ). Although the role is not directly responsible for the PLM system this leader will help drive the evolution of the product creation landscape with fully integrated systems and business processes. This dynamic leader supports cross-functional business and technology teams in Design, Merchandising, Buying, Material & Color Development. The scope includes support and expansion of current solutions as well as the driving of innovation projects with ongoing roadmaps and delivery into production. This position reports to the Head of Product and Supplier Technology and collaborates with cross-functional technology teams and global business partners representing the various brands and functions across the corporation. As well as the oversight of the applications in this space, managing a team and being a developer of talent is the other critical responsibility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and support strategic projects, initiatives, and technologies across Ralph Lauren’s global organization with specific focus on Merchandising, Design, Technical Design & Sourcing – this is primarily in relationship to visual line collaboration (VLC) and digital product creation (DPC).
• Drive global process excellence, through an in depth understanding of end-to-end product development including variances across brands and categories, while developing common practices and leveraging best in class technologies.
• Build deep/trusted relationships with business partners to be able to provide solutions for complex business problems.
• Advocate and evangelize innovative technologies that elevate Merchandising and Design processes including VLC, Adobe, and 3D software, PLM. Drive adoption and scale.
• Engage with business and IT partners to identify opportunities, develop projects, align solution design, and manage execution.
• Lead operations, issue resolution and release management for all applications and platforms within the domain.
• Provide production support and guidance to a broad global user community of over 2000 members.
• Lead the research, development and implementation of emerging product technologies, creating new corporate capabilities.
• Partner with Ralph Lauren Training & Development teams and software providers to manage content, organize and execute training/onboarding for new applications.
• Manage testing efforts ensuring applications are production ready and support business requirements.
• Create and maintain project plans, budgets, status reports and project documentation.
• Manage, develop, and coach direct reports and offshore teams with a global and inclusive approach creating a positive, collaborative and partnering culture.
• Participate in conferences and user community events representing Ralph Lauren and advocating for technology innovations that benefit the corporation and the industry.
• Utilize agile methodology for project delivery

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

· Minimum of ten years of experience managing and directing an IT organization with deep knowledge in the Product Lifecycle Management solution sets and processes for the apparel industry

· Business experience working in the Pre-Production space with emphasis on merchandising and design/development processes solutions related to the apparel industry a must.

· Experience with industry best-in-class technologies; examples include, Product Assortment/Visual Line Collaboration solutions (VibeIQ preferred), along with 3d product creation technologies (Browzwear, Rhino, Apex from Shima Seiki), designer tools (Adobe CC,) and color solutions (such as CSI), PLM Solutions (FlexPLM preferred)

· In depth knowledge of the entire pre-production go-to-market business cycle/process, from ideation through to production of product for apparel, accessories, footwear and/or home product categories

· Adapt at agile project concepts and project delivery, use of Jira and Smartsheet.

· Experience in enterprise support models/SLA‘s and software (Service Now preferred)

· Understanding the impact of data flow for an integrated environment with common corporate software solutions such as: MDM systems, Micro Strategy and SAP.

• Strong project management and organization skills with the ability to think big picture and manage detailed tasks
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to write and deliver executive presentations
• Highly motivated, supportive, and collaborative leader, able to lead teams and work flexibly. Technology advocate with ability to inspire and influence positive change
• Design Thinking experience a plus

Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws.