PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Position based in Ghana (West Africa)

 

Company description 

 

Ethical Apparel Africa is a sourcing company that provides international apparel brands with ethical, cost competitive and quality manufacturing solutions in West Africa. Our vision is to demonstrate that ethical manufacturing can and should be done at scale, not just associated with luxury or expensive products. Based in Ghana and Benin, EAA has a dynamic team bringing decades of experience from around the world in product development, quality assurance, account management, social impact, operations and finance. 

 

EAA is working to unlock the tremendous potential of the West Africa apparel industry, supporting African-owned factories to grow exports to the US, UK, and Europe. EAA focuses on developing factories in a lean, sustainable, and ethical way that sets the standard for garment manufacturing in a West African context. We work closely with government and development agencies to develop an ecosystem for industrial growth -- including the launch of a Center of Excellence for local skill development and efforts to catalyze investment in an integrated cotton value chain. By 2023 we aim to create 2,500 worthwhile jobs in the apparel sector in West Africa. This is an exciting time to join EAA.

 

Position overview

 

We have a great opportunity for someone with passion and desire to make a difference in clothing manufacturing to join us as Product Development Manager based in Ghana West Africa. This is the perfect role for someone wishing to challenge their expertise by helping to develop the industry on a new continent. This person would report to the Technical Director and work closely with the EAA teams in Ghana and Benin. They will have the following responsibilities: 

 

Product Development

• Represent EAA for all technical meetings with brands; review tech packs and brand manuals to ensure all required information has been received and is correct.

• Complete risk assessments with the accounts team on all new products requested for costing and sampling and document accordingly.

• Create digitally graded patterns from the tech pack and/or samples.

• Ensure patterns provided to the factories are accurate to the tech pack and client requirements.

• Work with the factories to train and then complete inputs to the costing process including consumption, standard minute values, efficiency and operation lists

• Ensure fabric and trim consumptions are correct in the EAA style documentation and monitor to ensure actuals used are recorded and analysed versus those in the costings

• Interface with Raw Materials Sourcing Manager to advise any technical information or testing required in order to properly source fabric and trims. Review fabric and trims sampling received before samples are made.

• Conduct pre-sample meetings and provide hands-on support and training to factories during sampling.

• Quality check all samples leaving the factories and communicate to brands any differences/substitutions versus the tech packs.

• Attend via Skype/phone any client fit meetings and work with the accounts team and factory on any revised samples needed.

• Keep EAA systems up to date with technical details required such as operations list, fabric and trim consumption, fit comments, measurement charts and sample notes.

 

Production Management

• Work with the factories on product engineering to ensure the manufacturing processes are best fit for garment and for brand with the right machines in place while meeting the manufacturing cost targets.

• Ensure Style tools (tech packs) are correct and in place prior to production start-up.

• Conduct pre-production meetings and provide hands-on support during bulk production to ensure that the quality requirements are met correctly first time.

• Train and develop local management on DHU targets and AQL targets.

• Ensure all daily quality and production reports are completed correctly and delivered on time.

• Conduct AQL’s on completed orders and release them for shipment according to EAA requirements.

• Lead post production meetings with the EAA team and factories to identify success and learnings

• Update the EAA system with all production reports, AQL reporting and post production reviews.

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Factory Training and Development

• Liaise with other technical trainers to ensure all training is complementary to one another and that the factory teams apply new skills.

• Complete and document training needs analysis for each EAA partner factory to assess skill level before and after training is conducted

• For each factory work with them on a continuous improvement technical action plan to sustainably reach international standards of excellence. This includes training them on each element and helping them understand the need for standard operating procedures and safety standards.

• Provide hands-on support to both local and expat factory management during pilot and implementation of technical improvement initiatives and systems development based on Lean principles.

• Assist in creating and sustaining Standard operating procedures (SOP’s), quality manuals and training materials for internal EAA team and factories adopting a sustainable and participatory approach

• Work alongside the factory managers to identify additional skills gaps and training opportunities for both individuals and the factory as a whole.

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Qualifications & Attributes

 

• Fluent in English 

• Experience within Garment production with a specific focus on product development (minimum 5 years’ experience)

• Experience in adult pattern drafting and grading, knowledge of Gerber/Lectra systems a must

• Experience of working with Western brands from the USA or Europe

• Experience in working across factory teams to take a product from concept to finished production with proven teamwork skills

• Experience in training and developing for factories and passion to build local capacity    

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills across cultures and ability to deliver strong technical reports

• Ability to work independently on self-directed projects with an entrepreneurial attitude

• Previous working/living experience in a developing country, ideally in Africa

• Ability to think critically, work hard, learn and progress

• Ambitious big picture thinker who is solution driven, wants to work hard, learn and progress

• Passion for working in an enterprise with a social mission 

• Evidence of the following characteristics: pro-active, self aware; resilient and adaptable; persistent and resourceful; able to work under pressure and respect deadlines, apt at both strengthening relationships and resolving problems, poised, active listener; fun to work with; full of integrity; ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment 

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Benefits

 

• Salary level dependent on candidate experience and profile

• Annual flight allowance

• Accommodation and transportation

• Health and repatriation insurance

• 25 days of annual leave in addition to Ghana national holidays

• Opportunity to join a key department of an award-winning, dynamic, and mission driven organization that welcomes strategic input from all members

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How to apply 

 

• Starting Date ASAP

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

• Please send a resume and a specific cover letter for the position to talent@ethicalapparelafrica.com with the reference in the subject line “Prod Dev 21”

• Only completed applications with accurate reference will be considered and only the most qualified candidates shortlisted for interview

 

For more information: www.ethicalapparelafrica.com 

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