JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Head of Technical, Compliance and Ethical
Location: Falmouth office
Reporting To: Product Director
Responsible For: Technical Team, supply chain ethical and compliance
1. Primary Objectives
· To work within the Senior Management Team contributing to the Brand Strategy and developing ways to:
o Build the brand and its image
o Strengthen market position
o Maximise sales and GP through the delivery of a balanced, commercial and profitable range in line with the brand vision
· To lead the technical Department, operate as a strategic business manager, overseeing the Technical team and their processes, structure, environment, resources, demonstrating best practice
· Be an ethical and compliance champion for the business and the supply chain.
· To work with the Product Director, Head of Buying and Head of Design to formulate Technical, Ethical and compliance strategy for the brand.
· To ensure the Technical team adheres strictly to the agreed Buying Calendar and Critical Path
· Provide focused direction, and clarity for the business on all aspects of ethical and compliance.
2. Main Tasks and Key Areas of Work
Operate as a Senior Business Manager
• To create and implement a dynamic technical ethical and compliance business strategy that delivers above and beyond the basic Seasalt standards. Provide a clear vision with achievable, measurable and publicly reportable KPI’s. Working with Buying to gain the supply chains support and commitment to the ethical and compliance strategy.
• Manage the Technical team, in creating products that meet the highest quality and safety standards and reinforces Seasalt’s values.
• Working with Head of Buying & Sourcing, contribute to a sound supply policy for Seasalt, taking into account the skills, ethical and compliance position of the supply base- striving for consistent best practice partnerships. Risk assess the supply base and foresee future weaknesses / needs and suggests possible solutions. Providing help and guidance.
• Offer advice and help find solutions to the wide range of issues encountered by the Technical team – act as trouble-shooter
• Create and update Standard Operating Procedures for the department.
• Provide internal and external support, guidance and training on all ethical/ compliance related subjects. Be the point of contact for all external ethical/ compliance enquiries from public/ NGO’s.
Develop A High Performing Team:
• With Senior Management Team, define and communicate a clear vision of the future – translate into measurable goals and targets.
• Build a strong team with a focus on succession planning.
• Provide positive leadership supporting brand / company policy / strategy and encourage others to do so.
• Develop skills of the team – identify individual training needs as well as encourage effective teamwork.
• Deal with personnel issues promptly and appropriately.
• Motivate team – gives recognition and praise.
• Pre-empt the need for, and manage change – supporting teams throughout process.
• Provide individual support to new Technologists – ensure a full induction is provided and adequate support given during their learning curve.
Provide Technical Direction
• To advise the Design team on the most appropriate supply base and highlight technical considerations when sourcing all products – fabric, yarn, trims, wash, dye techniques, etc
• Overall responsibility for legal and safety requirements of all products, ensure they are tested, where required, and meet all levels of EU/global standards
• Overall responsibility for risk analysis and due diligence on all products
• Overall responsibility for all products being “fit for purpose”, with relevant test results, for fabric, garments construction, accessories, etc
• Overall responsibility for developing and maintaining consistency of fit on all Seasalt products
• Maintain key blocks and assess / update in response to customer needs or design direction
• Review and analyse return rates on monthly basis for all products, feedback to Senior Management team and provide solutions to reduce the level of returns
• Ensure that Technical team communicate all product requirements to the suppliers in a clear and consistent manner
• Assist in the range development and ensure that the Technical team work closely with Design and Buying to create a range of products that reflect the Seasalt strategy
• Add value to the technical process by providing an objective view for Technologists
Supplier Management
• Contribute to the internal seasonal Supplier Appraisal analysis
• To ensure that the Seasalt supply chain is compliant to Seasalt’s Standards as outlined in our T+C. (purchasing policy/ ethical trade imitative/ environmental policy and social responsibility policy.)-basic compliance.
• Manage the update of the supplier database to be a shared up-to-date central ref point for all relevant dept.’s, including Sedex records, and audits/certificates, supplier commitment documents, updating as necessary.
• To assess and implement workable action plans in partnership with suppliers for any non-compliance to basic standards within the supply chain. Non-compliance correction plan must be realistic measurable and date specific and agreed with the supplier.
• In the case of critical non-compliance escalate the issue to the board along with corrective action plan. Manage this process for the business.
• Where small artisan suppliers are used, create and implement individual supportive development program for full compliance, ensure Seasalt budget in place where appropriate for support- (testing/ audits etc.)
• Advise suppliers on technical best practice and Seasalt procedures, ensure they are understood and adhered to.
• Ensure that there is a risk analysis of all suppliers during factory visit for production best practice and resolving any non-compliance issues. provide suggestions for improvement, agree action plan and follow up
• Offer advice and support to the technical team and suppliers to help find solutions to the wide range of technical issues encountered.
• Write, update and maintain the Seasalt Production Manual for suppliers, ensuring suppliers have the latest edition
Quality Control
• Manage the Quality Control process, ensuring that production stock is checked and approved, in line with the agreed Critical Path
• Responsible for assessing any issues highlighted at the QC check, make decisions and take appropriate action and communicate any serious issues or delays to the Senior Management team
• Overall responsibility for the final quality standard of all products, ensure they reflect the integrity of Seasalt’s values
• To be responsible for the approval to ship goods from factory to UK
Communicate Effectively
• Act in pivotal role for the Board, teams and internal functions to co-ordinate projects and provide two-way communication
• Build and maintain a strong and varied network of contacts. Communicate with all to achieve win-win situations
• Ensure that Technical team communicate all product information across all functions.
Performance Targets
• Agreed sales targets achieved
• Agreed profit target achieved
• Buying Calendar and Critical Path achieved
• High quality and safety standards for all products
• Departmental salaries and overheads within, or less than budget
• Policies and Standard Operating Procedures properly documented, reviewed (at least annually) and issued
Scope of Authority
• Manage salary and overhead budgets and forecast for the department
• To line manage the Garment Technologists
• Quality Control
• Approving development and final seal production samples
• Contribution to supply chain strategy with buying- Tec / ethical.
• Supply chain security ref compliance.
Other Specific Requirements of the Role
• Keep confidential all knowledge of the business, finance and statistics
• To represent Seasalt Ltd and promote its brand image through all activities
6. Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS / Degree in Fashion or other relevant degree
WORK RELATED EXPERIENCE/SKILLS / -IT and CAD skills (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook)
-Understanding of certification processes (knowledge of GOTS) – training can be given
- Flexible ability to create and oversee detailed, effective product specifications and grading for semi-performance outerwear, woven, jersey, swimwear and knit for Women’s, Men’s and Childrenswear
-Knowledge of fabric technology and performance
-Garment Construction, pattern cutting, technical based experience, working with production set-up in factories, creating product spec’s, fitting and grading, understanding test reports and approvals
-Experience and confidence in trouble shooting and resolving issues
-Experience in communication with overseas suppliers
-Experience of managing a team
- Understanding of overseas garment manufacture and its complexities and the challenges facing the industry ethically.
-On the ground experience and understanding of the different locations of manufacture and the challenges faced by the supply chain and its needs. / -Experience of Illustrator
-Knowledge of British Standards
-Experience of working within retail/wholesale fashion
-Experience of writing/contributing to/maintaining supplier manual
PERSONAL SKILLS/ QUALITIES / -Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
-Good organisation and time management skills
-Attention to detail
-Team worker/people person
-Flexible/adaptable/works under pressure, self-motivated
-Use initiative
-Effective decision maker
SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS / Ability to work hours as required and able to travel abroad as required by the business
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