2026-03-23

CIP Global Executive Search has been assigned to recruit a Head of Product for a retail company.

Note: This is a confidential recruitment, which means the information below has been slimmed down. All candidates that are being interviewed will receive the full job description after signing an NDA.

Job Profile

A retail company is looking for a Head of Product to take overall responsibility for the product offering, including how products are developed, sourced and delivered.

This is a broad role where you are expected to connect the full product lifecycle, from early ideas and product requirements to supplier selection and finished products in market.

You will work closely with Sourcing, Sustainability and Operations, ensuring that product decisions are realistic, well-grounded and aligned with supplier capabilities.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Own and drive the overall product direction and roadmap

• Ensure the right balance between customer expectations, quality, cost and speed

• Work closely with Sourcing on supplier selection, evaluation and development

• Make sure supplier capabilities match product requirements

• Define clear product specifications, quality levels and acceptance criteria

• Ensure quality is considered early in the product development process

• Identify and manage risks related to materials, construction and suppliers

• Follow up on product performance and supplier reliability

• Drive improvements related to quality issues, delays and inefficiencies

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards

• Lead and develop the product, quality and sustainability teams

Profile and Experience

• 3 + years of experience working in a similar position within retail or consumer goods

• Strong understanding of sourcing and working with international suppliers

• Experience from textiles, materials and production processes

• Familiarity with quality, supplier performance or similar areas

• Comfortable working with both strategic and operational questions

• Previous leadership experience

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken

Personal Profile

• You take ownership of the product and are comfortable making decisions that affect the full process.

• You understand that strong products are built through a combination of clear requirements and capable suppliers, not just design.

• You are structured but pragmatic, and you know how to move things forward without overcomplicating them.

• You work well across teams and are able to influence others, even without formal authority.

• You care about creating products that work in reality and perform consistently over time.