Director Product (m/w/d)

About This Opportunity

We are representing a fast-growing consumer footwear brand based in Hamburg that has scaled to over one million customers in just four years. Our client is now building out their international product organisation and needs a seasoned Director of Product to lead Product Development, Merchandising, and Footwear Design.

This is not a desk job. You'll be responsible for the entire product lifecycle—from trend identification through design, sourcing, sampling, costing, production, and final delivery. You'll build and manage a strong manufacturing network with a clear focus on China, negotiate directly with factories, and travel frequently to production sites to solve problems in person when email won't cut it.

Responsibilities

• Lead Product Development, Merchandising, and Footwear Design as an integrated organisation
• Provide leadership and development for Heads and Senior Specialists across the product function
• Own the complete product process from trend and concept through design, sourcing, sampling, costing, production, and final goods
• Build and develop a robust international supplier and factory network with strong emphasis on China
• Negotiate directly with factories on pricing, minimum order quantities, quality standards, capacity, lead times, and production terms
• Troubleshoot production, quality, or delivery issues decisively, escalating in person at production sites when necessary
• Travel regularly to China and other manufacturing locations to manage factories, suppliers, and production processes directly
• Take accountability for product quality, timelines, margins, costing, and supply availability
• Steer assortment, collections, and product roadmaps in collaboration with merchandising, design, marketing, and executive leadership
• Analyse sales performance, demand patterns, market trends, competition, and customer insights to continuously evolve the product portfolio
• Establish clear processes, KPIs, and ownership across the entire product lifecycle
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Logistics, Marketing, Finance, and executive leadership
• Identify risks early and take decisive action before small problems become large ones

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within Product, Product Development, Sourcing, or Footwear, ideally at a high-growth consumer, fashion, or footwear brand
• Several years managing managers and leading multidisciplinary product teams
• Deep China experience with an established network of factories, producers, and suppliers
• Strong knowledge of Chinese manufacturing processes, business culture, negotiation dynamics, and supplier relationships
• Proven track record in sourcing, sampling, quality control, costing, production planning, and supplier management
• Strong understanding of footwear development including materials, construction, fit, and quality requirements
• Commercial acumen around margin, purchase pricing, MOQ, volume, and product profitability
• Experience building scalable product and production processes in a fast-growing company
• Very high international travel readiness, especially to China
• Willingness to travel on short notice when critical production or delivery issues require on-site resolution
• Strong decision-making ability, high resilience, and genuine hands-on mentality
• Ability to make sound decisions under time pressure without waiting for perfect information
• Ownership mentality—you take responsibility through to results and refuse to accept "it can't be done" until all options are exhausted
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to build long-term supplier relationships while holding clear expectations
• Fluent English required; additional languages relevant for working with Asian suppliers are a plus
• Based in or willing to relocate to Hamburg

How We Work With You

Get A Job.ai is managing this confidential search on behalf of our client. When you apply through our platform, one of our recruiters will screen your background and experience. If there's a strong match, we'll submit your profile to the client for consideration. Please do not attempt to contact the employer directly—all communication and interview coordination will be handled through our talent team.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process and are competitive for this senior leadership role in Hamburg.

Equal Opportunity

Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive hiring practices. We evaluate all candidates based on qualifications and merit, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.