Mainline Product Coordinator

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.

We are seeking a highly organised and motivated individual to assist with executing the design critical path (CP). The successful candidate will develop sample collections and effectively communicate within the Company and with external suppliers for all multi-category products (excluding knitwear) in the Mainline range. They will ensure high-quality products that are competitively priced and support Company targets through timely delivery. 

Location

Head office, W1/Remote

Hours

Full-time - 35 hours, Monday - Friday

Key Responsibilities

- 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.

*Includes style set up, item attributes, preferential origin, product risk assessment, shipping and labelling data requirements, compositions, weights, commodity codes, BOMs, visual range plans, pattern plans, supplier fabric plans, range plan updates, updating SAP records for Open PO & GRNI

Role Requirements

- 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 and ethical compliance, and driven to meet targets

- Accomplished at pricing negotiation, understanding costings and working within a budget

- Excellent attention to detail, time management and organisation skills

- Can work under pressure and manage multiple priorities quickly and accurately

Rewards

- a competitive salary (from £32,000)

- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays, increasing to 6 weeks with service

- generous clothing allowance

- significant staff discount

- life insurance

- contributory pension and salary exchange scheme

- personal development grant

- cycle to work scheme

- birthday day off

- volunteering day off

- IVF support for parents

- opportunity to request flexible working (27% of Head Office employees work Part Time Hours)

- menopause friendly

We actively implement blind recruitment practices to eliminate bias and ensure a fair evaluation of candidates based on their skills, experience, and qualifications. We believe in creating a level playing field for all applicants, and our initiatives reflect our dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Applications will be considered as they are received. Candidates will be shortlisted based on how their skills and experience match our requirements as set out above.