- Product Development: Identify right RMV for a given material quality in consultation with Materials Manager. Execute seasonal materials project and on-time commercialization of products and projects, including engineering the fabric (that is sustainable) in partnership with RMV, aesthetic approval of materials, decision making on materials issues, lead time, minimum and communication of the category materials strategy. Maintain technical expertise for materials and facilitate problem solving with vendor and HO team. Meet with key partners routinely to provide direction on developing new product concepts. Support LO business needs from material point of view. Liaise with material suppliers to get sample yardage (PYR) in identified material on time for CSC product development.
- Operation: Ensure that all necessary Columbia systems (PDM, QB, VCCDR, etc) and the Tracking Reports are updated timely and accurate. Maintain records of approved qualities at LO as well as at RMV. Hold seasonal pre-production meeting with vendors to ensure Salesmen sample and production quality follow the approved parameters. Hold Seasonal material presentation of key fabrics to Color, MP, MQE and Merchandiser teams; handover the records of commercialized material and know-how to materials planner and MQE on time.
- Costing: Manage the creation and the eventual price confirmations of all materials by scheduled seasonal completion date. Work with Material Manager to drive the pricing process. Must stay abreast of fiber and fabric component price trend in the regional and global market, and use it as a key tool for proper price negotiation with RMVs. Monitor individual supplier seasonal item volume changes in order to leverage price advantage. Pricing data must be on time and accurate.
- Vendor Development: Develop working knowledge of suppliers, their abilities and limitations. Offer suggestions on production perspectives to improve fabric quality and ensure successful commercialisation during manufacturing. Provide feedback to vendors regarding KPIs related to development including but not limited to submit quality and turn time, number of submits and competitive pricing. Work with management and / or other team members to implement corrective actions as needed and within reasonable timeframe.
- Process Compliance and Improvement: Timely and accurately follow SOP in accordance with global material process and procedures. Actively communicate with appropriate CSC Matrix system and vendors to ensure most current information is released and all parties understand expectations. Drive analysis and material reviews that result. Initiate new and or improve existing procedures to make the development process more efficient.
- Cross function team work: Support Material Production, Material Quality, Color and LO cross functional team and ensure all specified quality standards are met. Assist Material Research Manager when necessary on fact finding, special projects.
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.