Raw Material Sourcing Manager

Position based remotely or in Ghana

 

Company description

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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 product. 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. Our clients are international brands mostly from Europe and the USA interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa with a positive social and environmental impact. 

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To date EAA has supported three African-owned factories to complete their first exports to the US, UK, and Australia. By 2027 we aim to create 5,000 worthwhile jobs in the apparel sector in West Africa. In the coming years EAA will focus on developing factories in a lean, sustainable, and ethical way that sets the standard for garment manufacturing in a West African context. We are also partnering with GIZ and private sector partners to launch a Technical Center of Excellence for management skill training. This is an exciting time to join EAA as we contribute to the development of the rapidly growing and high potential apparel industry in West Africa. 

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Position overview

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The Brand Partnerships team are responsible for identifying new industry clients, securing orders and driving product development to form strong, communicative and mutually beneficial commercial relationships. The Raw Material Sourcing Manager will be based in Accra (Ghana) with overseas travel to China and other sourcing locations.

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Reporting to the Senior Partnerships Manager and working closely with the Technical team, the Raw Materials Sourcing Manager will be responsible for procuring all fabrics, trims and packaging required to manufacture EAA orders in both Ghana and Benin, while building strategic relationships with suppliers. This person will also work closely with partner factories and build their sourcing capability on an ongoing basis.

 

They will be accountable for the following areas:

 

Supplier Development

• Build a network of certified Tier 2 suppliers that meet the EAA Ethical Code of Conduct

• Build a strong sourcing library/network from the Far East, Europe, Asia and Africa in order to respond to all customer enquiries with prices and lead times at speed

• Attend sourcing events and trade fairs for the purpose of identifying new materials and initiating/ building relationships with suppliers

• Work with the Technical Director on an emerging project focused on catalyzing integration in the West African cotton supply chain

• Research and develop a specific network of suppliers that are producing workwear and technical fabrics as well as eco, sustainable and recycled fabrics at scale

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Fabric, Trim, & Packaging Sourcing

• Review all brand fabric and trim manuals prior to sourcing to ensure all requirements are met

• Work with nominated fabric, trim and packaging sources where available to obtain raw materials for sampling and bulk

• Find fabric, trim and packaging sources that meet our clients quality, lead-time and price requirements for sampling and bulk

• Suggest alternatives to the Partnerships Team if different fabrics, trims or packaging can meet spec and save cost or manufacturing complexity.

• Build a sampling library of fabric and trims within budget to ensure samples for core products can be turned around in Ghana and Benin within 48 hours

• Complete cross costing exercises for all new orders and periodically for repeat orders as well

• Negotiate payment terms with suppliers to minimise risk and maximise flexibility

• Work with the Senior Partnerships Manager to raise all Proforma Invoices and Purchase Orders with comprehensive and accurate terms and conditions

• Ensure all fabric and trims sourced pass the base EAA and client’s testing standards before bulk orders are placed

• Ensure all bulk fabric and trims pass testing and third party inspection before shipping

• Negotiate any relevant date movements or price discussions where issues may occur in production

• Work with the Senior Partnerships Manager on container consolidation and fill to maximise space and minimise shipping and cross country transportation costs

• Complete documentation and costing tools accurately to send prices to clients quickly in order to secure orders

• Use the Critical Path to report and explain delays, analyze root causes of delays, and propose solutions

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Factory & Partner Development

• Develop a Sourcing training programme that can be trained at different levels of intensity to managers in our partner factories to develop their sourcing skills

• Promote smooth working relationships with factory partners through clear and proactive communication

• As relevant work to build the capacity of other EAA partner entities in raw material sourcing and procurement

 

​Qualifications & Attributes

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• Fluent in English

• Proven track record of similar position in the industry with 5 years’ experience

• Ability to demonstrate a comprehensive list of contacts and relationships with fabric mills, trims and packaging suppliers, especially in woven fabrics

• Technical understanding of the fabric development process from origin through spinning, weaving/knitting, dyeing, printing, finishing and testing

• In depth understanding of the apparel industry, critical paths, sourcing and product development

• Understanding of ethical compliance requirements within Tier 2 suppliers

• Understanding of logistics processes

• Preferred experience of working within a developing country/region

• Attention to detail and ability to analyse data

• Strong negotiation skills

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills across cultures

• Energetic with a passion for working in an enterprise with a social mission

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

• Evidence of the following characteristics: Pro-activity, self awareness; 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

 

How to apply

 

• 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 “RMS GHANA 2019”

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

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