Vice President, Sourcing and Production

The Vice President of Sourcing and Production will provide leadership by formulating policies and strategy for profit growth while managing daily operations of production, sourcing-costing, product development and tech design teams. Establish a sustainable supply chain embracing compliance, quality and cost in an open market while allowing for considered flexibility. Act as the liaison between all vendors and internal development teams for production, design, and sales. Oversee related processes to be responsible for improving operational efficiency in managed areas. In addition, this individual is responsible for sourcing new factories that fit into the business model.

Responsibilities:

Sourcing:

• Maintain knowledge of trade regulations, testing protocol, production integrity and cycle times, fabric and garment construction, quality assurance and compliance protocols.
• Negotiate costs with global suppliers, tracking historical data and maintaining margins throughout product changes.
• Lead team to manage all costing data.
• Estimate and analyze the cost of each product in development stage.
• Negotiate and achieve/exceed set MU goal set for each Brand.
• Keep abreast of sourcing trends, global wage increases, currency fluctuations, raw material cost swings, sourcing modes through research and seminars.
• Establish new vendors bringing them on board after capacity, competence, quality and compliance review.
• Continual evaluation of sourcing base to ensure best in class product placement
• Manage allocations to assure even distribution of orders as per vendor capabilities and capacities.
• Travel globally as needed to manufacturing facilities to monitor production and to search new production opportunities in garments and packaging.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, communicating with an international understanding.

Product Development:

• Partner with Design and Sales to identify style models potentially causing delays or production issues.
• Coordinate the production process with product related teams for the introduction of new products.
• Ensure the quality level of the goods are in the limits of defined brand quality standards for all categories.
• Support and drive the best global offerings.
• Understand the competitive landscape by researching competitors and similar products.
• Pre-Production
• Lead and monitor the approval process (proto, sales sample and all components) to ensure on time arrival of all sample and production submissions through weekly analysis of WIP.
• Proactively communicate any delays in samples and/or production to senior leadership and cross functional partners.
• Partner with Design and Sales for styles that could potentially delay or have potential production issues not identified in the PD stage.
• Ensure all products are production ready and meet/exceeds all quality and testing standards.
• Spearhead risk assessment meetings seasonally.
• Ensure all bulk testing is executed in a timely manner.

Production:

• Manage in-house and overseas teams for all production functions, including but not exclusive to capacity analyses, T&A reports, WIP management, logistic confirmations, bulk purchase orders, SAP maintenance, import document integrity.
• Establish best practices internally and externally for optimum results.
• Create seasonal calendar with cross functional partners and monitor milestones accordingly.
• Implement standard operating procedures for the seamless flow of production control, costing, vendor allocation.
• Ensure on-time delivery by troubleshooting issues working with internal teams, sourcing channels, and logistics.
• Alert management and business associates on high-risk areas, which may impact production flow and delivery.
• Provide support to Sales Dept by fulfilling and facilitating retailer needs.
• Seasonal evaluation of vendor/factory performance.

Additional skills:

• Strong decision-making capabilities; strong point of view and negotiating skills
• Extremely organized and detailed oriented
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing a team
• Capability to build strong relationships internally and externally
• Ability to take analysis into action, execute to timelines and provide timely solutions
• Ability to influence key decision makers and build strong and engaged relationships
• Strong analytical skills and clear understanding of financial measurements
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• International travel experience and ability to partner and communicate with international vendors/agents

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required preferably in textile, apparel or global business disciplines
• 10 years’ experience in management of Production, Supply Chain initiatives, Product Development functions
• Managerial skills to align talents with business goals while providing growth opportunities for the next generation of managers
• Knowledge of global sourcing hubs and their core competence; insight into cultural business practices and methods
• Advanced knowledge in costing of finished apparel product, and supply chain inputs
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of profit achievements
• Ability to break complex problems down, communicate findings and resolve or recommend a solution
• Strategic and analytical thinker with intellectual agility
• Strong ability to multitask and work in a face-paced environment under pressure
• Self-starter, deadline driven and highly organized
• Exposure to apparel engineering and knowledge of compliance, sustainability and quality systems preferred
• Flexible to travel overseas per business needs
• Strong Excel experience including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.

Annual salary starting at $250,000.

The disclosed salary range is commensurate with experience and does not reflect the total compensation package. Our associates have access to other valuable benefits that our Human Resources team is happy to share with candidates during the interview process.