Senior Technical Manager

Position based in Accra, 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. 

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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 Senior Technical 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 EAA teams in Ghana with a potential to grow to a more senior position.

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As the Senior Technical Manager your responsibilities include managing product from tech pack through production to export, managing and developing local technical managers and training current and new factories to export at international standards with international standard processes.  Your responsibilities will include the following:

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Factory Training and Development

• Conduct comprehensive assessments, implement corrective action plans, and deliver tailored technical training to elevate factory capabilities to international standards of excellence. You'll also play a key role in instilling Lean management principles, ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability.

• Your expertise will shine as you lead factory setup projects from inception to execution, guiding every aspect from land identification to building design. Additionally, you'll drive product development initiatives, collaborating with clients to transform concepts into tangible samples while optimizing manufacturing methods for cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

 

Production Management

• Work alongside our dedicated technical team to implement best practices across all stages, from product development and line setup to quality assurance and timely delivery. Your meticulous attention to detail will ensure that all technical information is accurately conveyed to factory management, leading to seamless production processes and adherence to efficiency targets.

 

Third party relationships and Industry influence

• Represent EAA at industry and government functions and speak at conferences to build network and capacity

• Work alongside the Technical Director to catalyze interest among key stakeholders in the transformation of West Africa’s raw material value chain to improve competitiveness of the region’s apparel industry at the ecosystem level

• Identify key technical institutes, associations and government departments to influence for change in the industry

 

Team Management and Development

• As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to lead post-production evaluations, identifying successes and areas for improvement, thus contributing to continuous enhancement and innovation within the industry.

• Guide and mentor the Technical team to achieve exceptional performance aligned with EAA's company KPIs. Design and implement training initiatives aimed at enhancing the technical proficiency of various teams across the organization, including the Accounts and Compliance teams.

 

If you're passionate about driving change and fostering excellence in clothing manufacturing, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity to make your mark in West Africa's burgeoning market. Join us in shaping the future of the industry and unlocking its full potential.

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Qualifications, skills, and attributes required​

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• Proficiency in English is essential.

• A minimum of 15 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.

• 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.

• Demonstrated expertise in translating tech packs into tangible samples through hands-on sewing experience.

• Proficient in manually determining Standard Minute Values (SMVs), conducting work studies, and conducting product costings.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, adept at navigating cultural nuances and delivering comprehensive technical reports.

• Demonstrated leadership and managerial acumen, with a proven ability to inspire and guide teams towards achieving goals.

• Excellent proficiency in computer applications, particularly in Excel and report writing.

• Capability to work autonomously on self-directed projects, exhibiting an entrepreneurial mindset and drive.

• Strong critical thinking skills, coupled with a relentless pursuit of growth and learning.

• Visionary and solution-oriented mindset, coupled with a passion for social impact, particularly in an enterprise setting.

• Demonstrated attributes including proactiveness, self-awareness, resilience, adaptability, persistence, resourcefulness, and an ability to thrive under pressure while meeting deadlines.

• Adept at fostering relationships and resolving challenges, with a poised demeanor and active listening skills.

• Enthusiastic team player, characterized by integrity, multitasking abilities, and a knack for thriving in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

 

Benefits

 

• 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 if different

• 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: June 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 "Senior Tech Mnger 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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