We have an excellent vacancy for a Technical Lead for a leading supplier of workwear and protective clothing.
The successful candidate will manage the technical process and ensure products deliver both functionality and durability. Manage the technical development of new fabric and garments from prototype to sealed samples and final specification to meet the product brief and commercial goals. To support on the technical development of all tender products and continuously review the retail ranges to improve and evolve them.
This role will work closely with Senior Buyer, Design and, Sales team. Be a collaborative team member within the Product Team to meet the evolving needs of the company and our customers.
The role has two direct reports.
KEY RESULT AREAS
1. Team Management (Lead the operational management of the team)
• Lead the Technical Product Strategy and motivate, coach, and deliver focus to the team, ensuring they have the necessary tools to achieve the business requirements.
• Manage performance standards addressing underperformance where required.
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement through effective management of team within the Client’s established policy under HR direction, including monthly 1-2-1s and biannual appraisals.
2. Innovation
• Ensure appropriate time is dedicated to technical innovation and ensuring quality comes first.
• Conduct research and analyze activity across fabric/ corporate markets, retail/bespoke ranges, and fabric/ componentry to ensure we are aligned to market trends and bringing meaningful technical innovation to the market.
• Develop and deliver a technical product sustainability strategy for both tenders and retail.
• Develop relationship with key suppliers of garment fabric and components to identify innovation opportunities and strategies.
• Ensure all fabric performance standards are relevant and meet all product quality level requirements.
3. Retail Development
• In conjunction with Product & Quality Director, Senior Buyer and Designer ensure all designs and product developments are well targeted and commercially viable.
• Deliver a fresh new look, aligned with business strategy for each new retail development ensuring samples are sealed to an acceptable standard
• Drive continuous improvement strategies including cost and product engineering.
• Oversee the initial manufacture to minimize quality issues (either remotely, or in situ) which is to include both nearshore and FE Travel
• Ensure that Client’s products are in line with all raw material and product safety and market requirements, ensuring all ISO standards are continuously met
• Ensure fit consistency across the product range.
• Work with Product & Quality Director, Senior Buyer and Design to review ranges for quality/fit/style changes to stay abreast of evolving trends.
• Provide training to the internal teams and product knowledge to ensure customers are up to date with product innovations.
4. Customer Driven Designs - Tenders
• Together with Senior Buyer and Design work with the sales team to understand the customer brief to ensure all designs are functional and commercially viable.
• Oversee the way to shorten product lead times with suppliers by way of proto-types and seals, fabric lead times and production capacity.
• Ensure samples are sealed to an acceptable standard and within agreed timescales.
• Ensure that all components and raw materials being used meet our performance standards.
• Support, strengthen and guide the Sales Team’s customer communication in the areas
of product fit, engineering or quality.
• Contribute to the Compliance Audits and Quality Management Processes.
5. Supplier Liaison
• Ensure there are agreed and appropriate processes (Critical Path) in place with all suppliers to deliver speed to market product development. Ensuring that all parties work collaboratively together to minimize the time from prototype to product launch and drive supply chain value.
• Set or approve (depending on supplier relationship) specifications for bulk production.
• To have first-hand knowledge and good working relationships with all suppliers so you can be involved in the supplier sourcing & selection for each project and product.
• Provide proactive solutions to QC issues for sales team and internal teams.
• Manage the Product Quality Control Process Externally and Internally including Supplier Appraisal.
• Manage all communication and ensure effective relationships with Fabric Suppliers
This role would suit an experienced Technical Manager preferably with previous knowledge of safety and workwear.