Product Development Manager

Position based in Ghana (West Africa)

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Company description

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Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA) is a trailblazer in the West African apparel sector, offering international brands a gateway to ethical, cost-effective, and high-quality manufacturing. Working across both our own factories plus another 4 partner factories, we are a manufacturer of apparel products, exporting on average $5m of product a year. By 2030 our vision is to directly create 10,000 jobs, over 70% for women and source / manufacture annual exports of $100M.

Our commitment to ethical practices is not confined to high-end products; we're proving that large-scale manufacturing can uphold these values too. From our base in Ghana, our seasoned team excels in product development, quality assurance, and more, ensuring a positive social impact with a worker wellbeing centric approach. 

Our garment manufacturing company specializes in both heavy and light weight garments including fleece, sweats, nightwear, underwear, shirts, schoolwear, dancewear, and even pet products. We work with mainly large scale brands in the USA and have strict quality and compliance requirements.

At EAA, we're not just operating factories; we're revolutionizing an industry starting it right from the beginning in West Africa. Collaborating with governments and development agencies, we're fostering an ecosystem ripe for industrial growth, setting a new precedent for ethical manufacturing on a global scale.

 

Position overview

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Join our dynamic team in Ghana, West Africa, and take on the role of Product Development Manager in the thriving clothing manufacturing industry. This is your chance to make a tangible impact and spearhead industry development on an exciting new frontier. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, you'll collaborate closely with our exceptional teams and partners.

Responsibilities

 

Product construction and Pattern making

• Review tech packs and brand manuals to ensure all required information has been received and is correct and represent MGIL for all technical meetings with brands; 

• Based on the tech pack and/or samples, break down the product construction with a detailed operations list, suggesting best operations and minimizing fabric consumption. 

• Complete risk assessments with the merchandising team for costing and sampling and document accordingly.

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

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

• Complete inputs to the costing process including consumption, standard minute values, efficiency and operation lists

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

• Work with the merchandising and sourcing team 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.

 

Sample team management

• Improve and sustain Standard operating procedures (SOP’s), quality manuals and training materials for the sampling department with training pre and post assessment

• Coach, lead and provide hands-on support to the sampling team

• Conduct pre-sample meetings with the sampling team and make suggestions to improve fit quality.

• 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 merchandising team on any revised samples needed

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

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Support during production

• Work with the production team 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.

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

• Attend post production meetings to identify success and learnings on product development and production

 

Qualifications & Attributes

 

• Proficiency in English is essential.

• A minimum of 7 years of hands-on production experience within factory environments, preferably in a developing country, with a particular focus on Africa being a significant asset.

• Proven track record of collaborating with Western brands from the USA or Europe, demonstrating an understanding of their standards and requirements.

• Experience in taking product from concept to finished production, including successful experience in producing undergarments, lingeries and Low GSM stretch fabrics.  

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

• Extensive experience in conducting practical training sessions and fostering the development of factory capabilities.

• Strong background in cross-functional collaboration within factory teams, guiding products from initial concept to finished production, showcasing exemplary teamwork skills.

• 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, identify problem root causes, 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 

 

Benefits

 

• Long term full time employment contract 

• Salary level dependent on candidate experience and profile

• Annual flight and rent allowance

• Health and repatriation insurance in Africa and home country

• 25 days of annual leave in addition to Ghana national holidays, 30 days of sick leave 

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

 

How to apply 

 

• Commencement Date: Fall 2024 

• Applications will be assessed continuously. 

• Please submit your resume along with a tailored cover letter for the position to talent@ethicalapparelafrica.com, ensuring the reference "PD 24" is clearly stated in the subject line. 

• Note that only complete applications with the correct reference will be reviewed, and only the most qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. 

• EAA is dedicated to equal opportunities in employment, welcoming talents from Africa and beyond. We strongly encourage applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and ethnic minorities.

 

For more information: www.ethicalapparelafrica.com 

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