Quality Manager- Fabric

Our client has a strong brand presence and continues to redefine their business to compete in the global landscape (while proudly still producing in the US). Enjoy a team atmosphere (average employee tenure is in the double digits) and work for a company where quality is paramount.  

Summary:

The primary responsibility for this position is to ensure all fabrics, new and existing, meet and/or exceed requirements. This position will also ensure effective communication both internally among the various stakeholders and externally with fabric suppliers and testing labs.

Must have experience working with mills and fabric/color testing experience. Will manage a team of three (lab supervisor, colorist, fabric analyst). Mill and brand experience preferred.

Job Description:

• Manage internal fabric testing labs, processes and personnel globally; including training, hiring, termination, discipline, assignment of projects, performance development and reviews, and equipment maintenance and calibration.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Procurement and vendors to develop and maintain technical and quality requirements on all fabric; including keeping abreast of new textile technologies, trends and processes.
• Manage pre-production processes as Product Develop hands off new fabrics to Supply Chain.
• Maintain accurate fabric specifications for all new and existing fabrics by testing incoming materials and regular communication with vendors; including development and maintenance of relationships with qualified testing facilities
• Collaborate with new and existing fabric sources globally by providing feedback and support when necessary; including participation in onboarding activities and relationship maintenance
• Measure and report fabric quality; including analysis and resolution of issues using tools like root cause analysis and corrective action plans.
• Manage relationships with external testing labs; including verification of correct test methods, relationship building and maintenance and cost/value analysis.
• Provide technical support to the research and analysis of alternatives for new products and improvements to existing product
• Manage color approval for all first bulk production on existing and new fabrics.
• Manage processes and policies to leverage supply chain capabilities that will insure successful production inclusive of quality, delivery and cost.
• Assess mill resources and act as SME to establish 1 to 3 year plans to align with production strategies from a geographic/quality/cost perspective.
• Assess lab testing protocols and insure the company is prepared to properly evaluate product to measure conformance to requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, specifically in clothing or textile related discipline, or equivalent.
• Five years of textile manufacturing and/or product development experience is required, at least two years of which must be in a leadership capacity.
• Apparel manufacturing experience or familiarity with apparel manufacturing processes preferred.
• Basic understanding of garment finishing processes required.
• Strong communication skills, both verbally and written
• Intermediate computer skills required including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures and physical performance of fabric required.
• Management or supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of basic manufacturing process related to raw materials required.
• Travel required up to 50%. Ability to travel globally with little or no advance notice.

TO APPLY:

Send your resume with salary requirements to Sue at Midwest Personnel Resource, LLC.        

phone: 262.681.3727  

ABOUT US:

Midwest Personnel Resource, LLC is a national executive search firm that focuses on apparel, accessories, action sport and home goods professionals.

Bottom line, we are in the people business. We partner with clients to expand their choices relative to superior talent. We network with candidates’ every day to qualify the best in the business. We establish relationships and coach candidates during the employment process. A client can be assured that we know the candidates we are representing. We will give candidates a realistic job preview, match their skill sets to client needs, determine salary expectations and manage the interview process to secure the right fit.

We work with clients nationwide. If you are an industry professional, we welcome an inquiry.