Christopher Shaw

As the product development manager, I investigate, design and evaluate new products from conception to final distribution. Conducting market research to develop core positioning and product message, I ensure we integrate customer insight into each new product. Developing product strategy, I lead a high performing team to achieve results. Managing products throughout the product lifecycle, I gather and prioritise product and customer requirements. At all times, I test products prior to launch. Offering significant support to plan and develop marketing strategy, I set product pricing and budget for new product releases to meet revenue and profitability goals. Collaborating with suppliers, buyers and designers, I critically analyse new furniture developments.

Here are some of the highlights of my achievements:
• Provide oversight across product samples and new developments, design new features, inclusive of adaptations for successfully deployments in Asia and South East Asia
• Conceptualise and initiate new projects; effectively build and launch new products and processes to increase company offering
• Identify new suppliers, form strong and mutually beneficial relationships with global suppliers, spearhead contract negotiations; agree competitive terms, leading to an increase in profitability
• Adapt swiftly to Covid 19 protocols, present new developments through digital platforms; minimise effect of pandemic on business operations, while simultaneously realising cost savings
• Pinpoint skills gaps, deliver training; enhancing knowledge and creative abilities throughout teams to enable the achievement of targets and KPIs, resulting in advanced levels of client satisfaction and retention
• Originate operational processes, share ideas and best practices; advance efficiency and productivity, improving selection and hit rates

My role as a furniture designer, was to initialise new product designs and collections, in accordance with customer requirements. I created design concepts and examined creative ideas to determine product suitability. Reviewing finished products, I confirmed the attainment of quality standards and design expectations.

Here are some of the highlights of my achievements:
• Chaired meetings in factories throughout China, Indonesia and India; established needs for new product development in line with set budgets and quantities
• Instrumental in the successful delivery of new design collections for major, geographically dispersed, retailers, most notably Harveys, Freedom, Conforama, Benson for Beds, Kika Leiner, and Poco
• Generated sketches, 3D renderings and technical data for factory use; allowed swift and accurate construction of samples
• Attended and contributed during annual furniture shows throughout Asia; gathered informative detail relating to styles, trends and suppliers
• Undertook role as Project Lead Designer; directed projects throughout entire lifecycle, met timescales and quality obligations