Manager of Purchasing and Production (Greater New Orleans Region)

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for vendor relationship management and development, overseeing the production team and collaborating with suppliers to deliver custom merchandise timely at set costs. Provide leadership to the production team to ensure that purchase orders are created timely and correctly, pre-production samples are obtained, detailed spreadsheets are maintained and ensuring that accurate and timely shipping and billing is provided to customers.

POSITION RESPONSIBLITIES

Manage Vendor Relationships

• Ability to take custom creations customer desires and then implement a production plan to create their merchandise
• Product knowledge to explain cost, production time and options to the Sales team
• Manage production schedule for on-time completion
• Take an active role in factory production planning
• Identify and address key concerns that may alter or impact production schedule
• Manage shipping schedule for on-time delivery

Manage the Production Team

• Provide leadership and training to the Purchasing and Production Coordinators
• Provide training and oversight to ensure that purchase orders are prepared accurately and submitted timely for approval
• Ensure that the Production team collaborates with other departments to establish customer, vendor and item records
• Establish and maintain SOPs that the Production team utilizes to create and maintain detailed spreadsheets
• Accurate, organized and consistent with SAP to allow efficient transfer of data
• Up to date and in sync with open documentation (sales order, purchase order, delivery ticket and AR invoice)

Supplier Relationships

• Create and manage WIP report for tracking development
• Drive development process through frequent communication with global vendors during product lifecycle
• Manage the development, sourcing and production of custom orders
• Create and maintain a standard pricelist for the company’s core product lines
• Ability to envision the custom creations customer’s desire and then implement a production plan to create their merchandise
• Product knowledge to provide cost, production and delivery time options
• Review and approve product specifications prior to submission to suppliers to obtain bids
• Require the Production team to obtain Pre-Production samples
• Communicate authorization to suppliers to start production
• Review and approve orders for custom merchandise with overseas and stateside suppliers
• Establish and maintain SOPs to ensure the timely shipping of orders by suppliers
• Produce SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to evaluate the company's competitive position and to develop strategic planning
• Travel abroad to meet with vendors
• Explore new vendor opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Required B.S. Degree, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business Discipline, or Fashion Merchandising Experience: Minimum of 8 years of International Purchasing/Production and at least 5 years of management experience

Skills and Capabilities:

· Experience in negotiating with multiple vendors to meet specified budget

· Ability to manage a team efficiently and effectively

· Knack for building strong relationships with vendors

· Experience in global sourcing and managing product lifecycles

· Strong verbal and written communication

· Multi-tasking

· Problem solving skills

· Proficient computer skills required in Microsoft Office, specifically excel