Operations/production Manager

**This position calls for a highly efficient, detail oriented Operations/Factory Manager (Clothing Manufacturing experience essential) who can plan, control, co-ordinate and monitor the manufacturing process in such a manner as to ensure all products are manufactured and completed on time and within all quality standards. The position requires an individual with excellent critical thinking skills, ability to use data to inform decision-making and solutions-oriented with a positive attitude and a strong sense of team spirit and accountability.**
- **Job Description**_
- Measure facility capacity and KPIs (key performance indicators) and ensure that Vendor scorecards are maintained.
- Collaborate with supply chain for delivery and purchase order updates.
- Ensure physical production appearance is aligned with the PPS (production planning system) and approved try-out.
- Support the creation of individual vendor action plans to improve costing performance enabling successful achievement of milestones and business goals.
- Drive NBC (national bargaining council) compliance and improvements of the SMV/GSD (standard minute value/general sewing data) framework.
- Drive workmanship standardization & alignment to ensure industry leading innovation & methods are applied.
- Be part of seasonal audit management of capacity, product flexibility, plant and machinery requirements, quality and cost management.
- Provide expertise on product engineering to development and production teams.
- Create close collaboration with Development, Production, Quality and Planning teams, ensuring continual alignment of cross functional best practices.
- Handling process for SMV costing alongside the supplier to create most efficient, competitive and standardized approach for labour cost.
- Analyze CMT (cut, make, trim) operator skills and provide technical support and training input where necessary.
- Keep track of the production targets and allocation of machinery, provide insight if any machinery is causing any quality defect or delays.
- Influence CMT’s production/quality, senior plant management and drive change to achieve right quality mindset in the responsible factories. Actively manage and develop direct reports with a high focus on effective teamwork.
- Provides team members with timely, constructive feedback and coaching.
- Supervise team in execution of weekly exception and unconfirmed PO’s/BOMS (purchase orders/bill of materials) ensuring the timely execution. Oversee the daily status reports, updates the management team on production progress and maintain WIP (work in progress) reports.
- Partner with Logistics and Vendors to optimize delivery times ensuring on time delivery.
- Liaise with planning and vendors on capacity, product trends, WIP and participate in monthly updates and provide planning and QA (quality assurance) teams with weekly updates on status at a style level.
- Ensuring the company has 100% approved to TOP (top of production) by deadline.
- Monitor daily activities by managing direct reports, and guiding team cells to achieve optimal workflow.
- Resets production plans in case of any deviations considering timely delivery requirements.
- Monitor production quality with the QA team to ensure efficient production techniques.
- **Key Requirements**_
- National Diploma Clothing Production Management or similar tertiary Diploma or Degree.
- 8 - 10+ years in the Garment/Apparel Industry experience.
- Knowledge and experience of working with CMT factories.
- Efficient, organized, detail oriented with strong time management skills, strong analytical and systematic approach to consolidate and communicate information.
- Excellent critical thinking skills, ability to use data to inform decision-making and solutions-oriented with a positive attitude and a strong sense of team spirit and accountability.
- Ability to identify issues, analyze facts and make correct decisions regarding complex production issues without undermining any required standards.
- Must be proactive and possess the ability to plan ahead and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Must thrive in a fast-paced environment, driven by teamwork and collaborative innovation.
- Strong proficiency in Excel & ERP systems.
- Ability to manage multiple vendors and experience working with overseas vendors.
- Works closely with design team to help execute new products.
- Manage team members and contribute considerably to the achievement of team objectives ensuring that service delivery is the paramount priority and focus.

Position located in Cape Town. Call Gabi Traut on 083 274 5193.