AddressROLE PROFILE, The WHY:
Act as the main point of contact with factories.
Bring to life design tech packs to 1st proto with nominated suppliers.
Work alongside Garment Technologists & Designers to follow up on factory counter samples.
Help the team stick to critical path & obtain initial cost prices for Trade.
Responsible for:
- Leading the production schedule meeting.
- Attend all design review meetings.
- Work closely with designer to take over all communication in the development process, from 1st proto to SMS.
- Bringing commercial awareness and supplier knowledge to the rest of the product team.
- Source, investigate and onboard new potential suppliers.
- Collaborate with fabric team on new developments to ensure that target prices are achievable.
- Make everyone aware of the impact of using expensive and imported fabrics, in line with target cost price.
- Work with GT re size specs and ensure comments are sent in a timely manner.
- Interact frequently with factories and mills through site visits or video calls.
- Coordinate daily communication with all suppliers re samples and new developments.
- Evaluate the supply base for capability, quality lead time, prices and location.
- Update the product team regarding new manufacturing techniques, concepts and vision … be ahead of the game.
- Investigate new territories and categories and where to source them.
- Coordinate the requirements for marketing samples, to minimise cost and disruption.
- Ensure all suppliers follow the Merabi supplier manual.
- Managing suppliers against contractual obligations, manuals and terms and conditions.
- Working alongside the Garment Tech team to ensure correct garment labelling and swing tag management. Working with the Garment Technology Team and Factory to capture and communicate “lessons learnt” in the production process.
Accountable for:
- To help the PD team to stick to the critical path. Ensuring all timelines are met.
- Help achieve target prices and margin.
- Lead production schedule meeting confidently and accurately.
- Awareness of all factory shipment dates using CP.
- Ordering and managing the supply of SMS
Essential Skills & Experience- Minimum of 2-3 years as a PD for a luxury women’s brand or retailer
- Strong organizational & time management skills.
- Key understanding of high quality and construction of garments
- Experience with high quality trims and details e.g. opening moulds etc and the cost impact to the business.
- Excellent communication skills when dealing with factories where English is not 1st language.
- Happy to take the lead when required, but also a team player.
- Demonstrate a pro-active approach to problem solving.
- Strong factory site visit background
- Happy to travel overseas when required.
- Experience in Atelier, luxury or bridal, but not essential.
- Sound understanding of fabrics and trims and their cost impact on the target prices.
- Experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of Excel, Adobe Illustrator and Powerpoint.
- Flexible and open to evolving business needs and priorities.
- Own the role and make things happen.
- Be comfortable with change.
- Love product!
