Mainline Product Coordinator WELBECK WAY

Overview

Margaret Howell is a contemporary British clothing designer who has worked successfully in men’s and women’s clothing for over five decades. Today, Margaret Howell clothes are sold worldwide with 12 own shops in Europe, over 70 outlets in Japan and an established online business.

Head office, W1/Remote

Full-time - 35 hours, Monday - Friday

• Liaise between designers and suppliers to develop the Mainline collection in line with the Critical Path (CP), establishing the highest quality and aesthetic level of product and clearly communicating design rationale. Advise on cost, MOQ and supplier capability to ensure final product appropriateness for buy.
• Main point of contact for all woven and accessories Mainline suppliers, cultivating strong relationships and providing clear, timely and professional communication to problem solve issues and ensure CP deadlines are met. Communicate directly and effectively with suppliers based primarily in Italy, but also UK, Portugal and Japan.
• Collaborate in seasonal supplier allocation, ensuring balance is met between supplier appropriateness for product and maintaining similar depth of buy for supplier to aid their production planning, in line with responsible purchasing practices and ethical trade.
• Accountable for the timely delivery of all samples in line with the season’s critical path including ensuring completion of technical specifications, design packs and BOM, and providing relevant detailed data to inform product clarity to departments including production, merchandising, wholesale and e-commerce.
• Liaison with Company’s own Shirtline manufacturing unit for PD, working directly with Senior Pattern Cutter to produce range of Mainline shirts; communicating information on pattern plans, product development, BOMs, fabric and samples requirement in a timely and accurate manner.
• Undertake all garment fitting sessions for Mainline product, ensuring garments are measured, providing accurate and comprehensive technical fitting notes and provide clear communication to suppliers. Support with technical aspects to achieve each design with better fit, finish and quality.
• Attend seasonal review meetings for Mainline range, ensuring all product, pricing and other relevant information is available for review, advising on relevant supplier issues to design & merchandising, and communicating changes to the collection to relevant departments.
• Assist on sustainability initiatives and projects, working towards Company targets on sustainable raw material uptake and product traceability, on ethical trade projects, and other sustainability initiatives as required.
• Manage price negotiations as necessary with suppliers, monitoring fabric costs, MOQ and surcharges for sampling, and liaising with merchandising on style adaptations to achieve the target cost price. Monitoring and clearly communicating changes to cost prices.
• Ensure accurate records are maintained on ERP and PLM for all product information and sample orders.
• Organise and undertake trips to suppliers for design fitting purposes alongside relevant teams, ensuring strong supplier relationships and trip aims are met. If physical trips are unable to be made, arranging regular video communication with suppliers to resolve issues, check status and build relationships.
• Provide full and accurate hand over to production team, highlighting potential issues that may occur in bulk production.
• Assist with other tasks as required by Product Development Manager.

• Strong verbal and written communication in English and Italian.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Product Development, with a strong background in multi-category product.
• Strong technical knowledge: understanding garment fitting and construction, especially relating to finishing and technical construction of tailoring and premium garments, with a deep understanding of high-end craftsmanship.
• Confident in building relationships with suppliers, with excellent communication skills. Ability to source, negotiate and manage relationships.
• Proficiency using different systems including Microsoft Office, PLM and ERP.
• Understanding sustainability…