JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Production Manager

Position based in Koforidua, Ghana (West Africa)

Company description

Maagrace Garment Industries Limited (MGIL) is an apparel manufacturing firm created in 2003. Currently the factory has approximately 500 operators with the space to grow to employ 800 individuals. It is the largest employer in a region of a million people. Their vision is to develop a model factory that can show how ethical manufacturing can be done at scale in an African context. This will be achieved through innovation, efficiency and integrity, providing the best quality products to customers whilst empowering their workforce, especially women. MGIL also has a Foundation focused on alleviating poverty within its neighboring communities.

MGIL is partnering with Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), a sourcing company that provides international apparel brands with ethical, cost competitive and quality manufacturing solutions in West Africa. 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 works with West African factories to build technical and ethical standards to international standards. Their clients are international brands mostly from Europe and the USA interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa.

Position overview

We have a great opportunity for someone with passion to lead the whole factory as Senior Production Manager. The role will be based in Koforidua which is 2 hours outside of Accra the capital city of Ghana (West Africa). This person will report to the Senior Technical Manager and will have the following responsibilities:

Job Responsibilities

Production Management

Work closely with the Planning Manager and Senior Technical Manager to review production plans on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis against the factory and individual line's performance.
Ensure the factory meets the production plan on time at color, style and PO level with no quality rejects at AQL.
Effectively communicate to the supervisors for each order the order quantity, risk areas from the PP meeting, approved sample and ensure they understand the tech packs so there are no mistakes in the production.
Coach and develop the supervisors to ensure they communicate objectives clearly with the workers in their respective lines, support them when needed in order to meet their efficiency and quality targets
Support supervisors and managers to ensure the lines are properly balanced in the plan and daily for target output.
Support Warehouse/Cutting/Finish teams where and when required.
Monitor the line input and WIP and continuously communicate with the cutting department to ensure all fabric trims and accessories are ready ahead of time for line feeding
Monitor the output targets and efficiency during the day and deliver it within the working hours.
Ensure each line has a daily planning meeting with the their supervisor to review daily performance and plan for excellence for the day ahead
Contribute to the daily production meeting with other Heads of department under the guidance of the Senior Technical Manager, proactively communicating results, issues and solutions

Evidence and data analysis

Monitor hourly, daily and weekly, monthly and quarterly units produced and work on action plans for improvement with the IE team.
Ensure daily WIP is counted and monitored and lines balanced accordingly
Account and document all damaged/wasted units of garments in the lines with the Quality Manager and be ready to discuss production outcomes with the Planning Manager and General Manager and during management meetings

People training and management

Role model leadership to the team of expat and local managers so that they in turn inspire the MGIL workforce -- establishing a ‘best place to work’ workplace culture that drives loyalty, engagement, ownership and efficiency
Work with the Senior Operations Manager to ensure best practices for talent identification, recruitment, onboarding and retention
Ensure continuous investment in MGIL’s people; Identify (soft and hard) skill gaps and training opportunities for managers and supervisors
Assign the activities and monitor the performance of line supervisors by ensuring that they are managing the lines with leadership.

Train Supervisors on how to read tech packs, take measurements, balance lines, monitor production, and manage sewing machines in the line in the absence of mechanics.
Train operators on difficult operations and machines with support from the Sewing Technician.
Hold teams accountable for on time attendance and work with the HR department to reduce absenteeism by motivating managers, supervisors and workers
Support workers with the enforcement of all people policies and procedures including assisting with the grievance mechanisms and liaise with the HR Department on concerns
Work with the HR and IE departments to measure the performance of supervisors and line workers for ongoing assessment and annual appraisals. Provide constructive feedback in a timely manner
Maintain discipline and work ethics in the line in accordance with Policies and SOPs.
Maintain teamwork with a supportive but firm leadership, clear and ongoing communication, understanding of teams’ weakness and strengths and self awareness
Celebrate successes and praise the team as relevant as a motivation source

Compliance & Policies follow-up

Ensure the production team complies with all policies especially the non negotiable policy such as anti-harassment and abuse as well as anti forced labour policy.
Oversee all overtime requests as per the overtime policy and ensure change in working hours (if any) are clearly communicated to workers at all time
Support the Compliance manager in enforcing housekeeping and H&S related policies like using of needle guard, eye guard, hanged trimmers, wearing PPE, not obstructing extinguishers and exits, maintaining the machine, segregating waste etc.
Perform any other duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications & Attributes

Proven experience as Production Manager (minimum 8 years’ experience) of a factory with at least 500 machines
Excellent interpersonal relations and managerial competences with exceptional communication and presentation skills across cultures and strong teamwork skills
Experience in developing training programs and training staff in participative ways
Experience working in a garment manufacturing environment in SubSaharian Africa is essential
Experience working with Western brands from the USA or Europe
Experience in taking product from concept to finished production, including successful experience in producing woven tops and bottoms plus outerwear, especially jackets (both light weight and heavy, quilted, fleece padded, with and without hoods), underwear.
Sound knowledge on HR policies and industry compliance requirements
Experience working with ERP systems and improving production efficiency
Entrepreneurial attitude to taking on new challenges and taking ownership in a self-directed manner
Ability to think strategically while being able to sit on a machine and working alongside people with a ‘hands on’ approach,
Evidence of the following characteristics: critical thinker; proactive, 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
Fluency in English

How to apply

This position will start in March 2023
As applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, kindly send a resume and a separate and specific cover letter for this position to talent@ethicalapparelafrica.com, using the reference “SPM 23” as the subject of your email
Only complete applications with accurate reference will be considered and only the most qualified candidates will be short-listed for interview.