Pattern Maker

Position based in Koforidua, Ghana (West Africa)​

 

Company description 

 

Maagrace Garment Industries Limited (MGIL) is a leading apparel manufacturing firm established in 2003 in Ghana (West Africa). With a current workforce of approximately 1,000 workers, the factory has the capacity to expand and accommodate up to 1,800 individuals. Situated in a region with a population of over a million people, MGIL stands as the largest employer, contributing significantly to the local economy.

 

At MGIL, our vision is to pioneer ethical manufacturing practices on a large scale within the African context. We aspire to establish a model factory that exemplifies innovation, efficiency, and integrity, while delivering high-quality products to our customers. We specialize in both heavy and light weight garments including fleece, sweats, nightwear, underwear, shirts, schoolwear, dancewear. We work with mainly large scale brands in the USA and have strict quality and compliance requirements.

Central to our mission is the empowerment of our workforce, with a particular focus on promoting opportunities for women. 

 

MGIL has formed a strategic partnership with Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), a sourcing company that specializes in delivering ethical, cost-competitive, and high-quality manufacturing solutions to international apparel brands operating in West Africa. Headquartered in Ghana, EAA boasts a dynamic team with extensive expertise garnered from various corners of the globe, spanning product development, quality assurance, account management, social impact, operations, and finance. EAA collaborates with factories across West Africa to elevate technical and ethical standards to meet international benchmarks. Their clientele primarily comprises international brands hailing from Europe and the USA, all seeking to establish and expand their manufacturing presence within the African continent.

 

Position overview

 

We are looking for an experienced Pattern Maker to join our technical team in Koforidua. This role is central to translating brand tech packs into accurate, production-ready patterns and contributing to efficient, high-quality sample and bulk production. The position reports to the Factory Director and works closely with the MGIL and EAA technical teams. They will have the following responsibilities: 

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Product Costing

• Review tech packs and brand manuals to ensure all required information has been received prior to costing

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

• Produce graded, digital patterns and marker plans from the brand’s tech packs and/or samples to propose consumptions for costing - offering alternative lays, fabric widths, and marker options to increase marker efficiency and reduce fabric waste.

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

 

Product Sampling and Fit

• Represent MGIL for all technical meetings with brands to enable correct samples and bulk construction and fit; 

• Using the pattern and markers from the costing process to print graded patterns for sampling, adapting as needed to the fabric that has been procured.

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

• Ensure all final data is uploaded into the ERP system

 

Production

• 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.

• Ensure all markers are completed and checked before the PP meeting

• Ensure all markers are handed to the cutting team on time in line with the loading plan

• Adjust any markers as needed relative to fabric changes required

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

 

Pattern team management

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

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

• Attend via video call/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 fit comments, measurement charts and sample notes.

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

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Qualifications & Attributes

 

• Proficiency in English is essential.

• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on pattern making experience within factory environments, preferably in a developing country, with experience in Africa being a significant asset.

• Proven experience with digital pattern making and grading with internationally recognized systems (Ie. Gerber Lectra or Morgan)

• Experience producing a range of garment types including undergarments, lingerie, and low GSM stretch fabrics.

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

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret technical documents accurately.

• Ability to work independently with an entrepreneurial attitude and to manage multiple styles simultaneously.

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

• Pro-active, resilient, adaptable, and able to work under pressure and respect deadlines.

• Passion for working in an enterprise with a social mission.

 

Benefits

 

• Long term full time employment contract 

• Salary level dependent on candidate experience and profile

• Annual flight 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 

 

• Start date ASAP

• 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 “MGIL Pattern 26”​ 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

• We are an equal opportunity employer, recruiting talents from Africa and all over the world, both women and men are highly encouraged to apply.

 

More information on https://www.maagrace.com/ and https://www.ethicalapparelafrica.com/