admin This role could be on a freelance or more fixed part-time basis, and requires 20-25 hours per week (20 hrs guaranteed, with the capacity for up to 25 hours).
The brand’s development, sampling and initial small-batch production is based in NYC. As such the successful candidate needs to have an impressive working knowledge of NYC’s garment district, with a solid contact list of pattern makers and sample rooms to dye houses and beyond, along with a solid track record of positive working relationships within the creative community.
The ability to create, update and maintain a live critical path for development, sampling and production of multiple collections is crucial.
Some production will be based in Europe, so experience in liaising with international vendors, suppliers and partners (from fabric mills through to European-based manufacturers) including ordering and landing fabrics, receiving goods and materials, sourcing and procurement, etc. within the EU region will be highly regarded.
While the core collections will be focused on RTW, documented experience in development and production of accessories and adjacent categories (eyewear, footwear, bags, swim) would be a bonus.
A strong understanding of premium garment development (luxury finishes, high-end construction, artisanal treatments and techniques, etc.) is also very important.
As a preview, some of the key responsibilities and tasks involved include (but are not limited to;
● Creating development budgets (including managing BOMs)
● Lead sourcing, ordering and coordinating deliveries of fabrics, materials and trims for development, sampling and production, including ordering and landing fabrics from overseas suppliers
● Leading the development of fabric treatments (dyeing, printing, specialized finishes) and assisting with translating the signature design codes across various trims (clasps, zippers, elastic, labels, etc.)
● Maintaining and developing professional, disciplined relationships with development partners and sample rooms, including timely communication, assisting with contract and pricing negotiations when necessary, managing fittings and providing timely follow up for optimum efficiency and a smooth workflow
● Work closely with manufacturers including monitoring supplier performance and delivery schedules, assistance with negotiating prices, analyzing product costs and most crucially, keeping track of all of the moving parts of production that impact the live critical path for completing collections and delivering orders
● Managing and maintaining organizational systems for patterns, tech packs, development files, fabrics and trim swatches, etc.
The ability to create, amend, edit and/or improve tech packs for factories (bonus if you are a whiz with general digital skills that could streamline or enhance these tools)
● Collaborate with internal and external team members and offer guidance and insight on design modification, manufacturing techniques, construction, and materials to help with cost efficiencies and/or improve manufacturability while maintaining design codes, quality and outcomes
● Rigorous focus and meticulous attention to detail with quality control in every aspect of development, sampling and production
While this is a new brand, our team has extensive experience in the international fashion community and an inspiring line-up of creatives who make up the creative family who are working with us to bring it to life, so you won’t need to do any hand-holding or deal with clueless, disorganized clients (we know you’ve had your fair share!). Instead we’re looking for a highly organized, radically collaborative development and production team member who can come on board alongside us and help us get the collections created, made and out in the world.
KEY DETAILS
Location: NYC.
Start date: Early September
Scope: Freelance or Part-Time
Hours per week: 20-25 (20 guaranteed minimum hours, with scope for up to 25)
Rate: Hourly, commensurate with experience.
If this sounds like the perfect match for you, please reach out to [email protected] and introduce yourself (real talk is recommended: tell us who you are, what you’re currently doing, where you’ve been in your career, and what you’re keen to be doing now (or more importantly, next!) along with a brief CV outlining your key relevant experience.
Please also share clear information about your availability – both as a start date and also on an ongoing basis – along with your preferred or set hourly rate.
