Production Manager

Field Grey is looking for a part-time Production Manager to join the team on a freelance basis. The role offers flexible working according to workflow and hybrid working. Fully remote will be considered.

Role Purpose:

• Support the creative director in the design, development and delivery of effective uniform solutions.
• Ensure that each collection arrives on time and at the right level of quality; the role will involve overseas travel to visit suppliers and manufacturers.

Key Responsibilities

General:

• Manage supplier communication and negotiations for final products
• Implement critical paths for all incoming projects, ensuring all deadlines are adhered to
• Plan and track the development schedule in line with deadlines set by Creative Director
• Work with the Design & Technical teams to support the process of material sourcing/development and prototyping
• To source suppliers and manufacturers, negotiating production prices, ensuring they are within budget and do not exceed pre-determined margin targets
• Raise and process Purchase Orders in line with the companies ordering procedures
• Establish standards with suppliers to ensure our T&C are respected
• Place all orders for production requirements and ensure they arrive at suppliers in a timely manner, in line with critical path
• Keen knowledge of global Import & export, obtaining the best prices for transportation and managing relationships with our logistics & freight partners and fulfilment services, ensuring that we do not exceed the target price for our products and services
• Ensure the right paperwork is filled out to ensure trouble free deliveries and imports
• Maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure orders are tracked
• Maintain up to date delivery schedules and supporting reports as required
• Responsible for the timings of pre-production sampling, fit, grading and quality of entire collection
• Checking all specifications with Design & Technical, to ensure they are correct and ready to be communicated with to the factories
• Assuring that all raw materials, in correct quantities, are with suppliers in time for production
• Responsible for making sure that every item is produced by the correct factory, respecting brand quality and finishing
• Responsible for fabric/trims ordering, pricing and verifying unit costs post manufacture
• Maintain and control the sample sealing process with the Technical and Design team
• Updating all hard and soft copy records for all stages of each individual project
• Generally, be an information centre for all production

Project Management & Admin:

• Setting up and maintaining detailed records for all project stages
• Updating critical path and maintaining department excel spreadsheets
• Progress chasing orders
• Responding to client queries and demands

General Office Management:

• General administration
• The inevitable filing of soft and hard copy

Profile

Requirements:

• A minimum of 3 years' successful, progressive experience in manufacturing.
• Formal training, and be eager to apply that in a commercial environment.
• Ability to manage commercial constraints and confidence to negotiate costs, control budgets and ensure deadlines are adhered to
• Outstanding communication skills.
• Self-motivation,
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to multitask, prioritise, and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong multi-product knowledge
• Good statistical and numerical ability, particularly with Excel
• Experience of tailored products, both male and female
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, excelling both with client and supplier liaison
• Good at problem-solving, with an ability to work under pressure
• Strong planning, cost analysis and margin knowledge
• Strong negotiating skills
• Highly determined and motivated with a hardworking attitude
• Willing to travel overseas when needed
• Ability to adapt to working in a creative and spontaneous environment; no two days alike
• Advanced-level user of Excel and Word
• Passionate interest in the value of design, particularly applied to everyday practical problems
• Fast, reliable, accurate
• Excellent verbal and written English
• Hands-on team player with an inherent ability to sustain productive relationships
• Full driver's Licence

Desirable:

• Additional language skills
• Knowledge of Adobe software

Application

Apply with a CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability and interest.