Production Manager

Blue Octopus; South Shields; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Production Manager to join their Outerwear team. This pivotal role involves overseeing the supply chain process, ensuring timely delivery of products from international suppliers to distribution centers. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in garment procurement and production planning, with excellent communication and Excel skills. You will be part of a dynamic team, working in a hybrid environment with flexible hours. If you thrive in a fast-paced setting and enjoy problem-solving, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Discretionary Company bonus scheme

Staff Discount

Healthcare Cash Plan

25 days holiday

Training and development activities

Free onsite parking

Subsidised canteen

Flexible working hours

4pm finish on Fridays

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in garment procurement and production planning.
• Strong Excel skills with experience in formulas and pivot tables.
• Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks.

Responsibilities

• Raise and monitor Purchase Orders to ensure timely delivery.
• Liaise with Technical and Quality Assurance teams to meet milestones.
• Manage sample ordering and delivery for seasonal launches.

Skills

Garment procurement

Production planning

International freight forwarding

Stakeholder management

Numeracy skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Problem-solving

Education

CIPS Diploma

Tools

Infor M3

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description:

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Production Manager to join our Outerwear team within Supply Chain here at our Head Office in South Shields. This role will be key to assisting the control and delivery of your category product range, to ensure finished goods are supplied from our international supply base to our worldwide distribution centres, to the agreed quantities, costs and timelines. As Production Manager you will achieve “on time” delivery for product Purchase Orders. You will raise Purchase Orders, plan, monitor, re-prioritise and expedite. Ensure the Business System data accurately reflects production plans and delivery schedules. Liaise with factories and freight forwarders to arrange cost and time efficient shipping. Ensure key samples are ordered and delivered on time.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure Purchase Orders are raised accurately and in a timely manner.
• Liaise with Technical and Quality Assurance Teams to highlight priorities and ensure key milestones within the critical path are met.
• Monitor Purchase Order progress with regular Supplier meetings, including Factory visits.
• Update & maintain Infor M3 (our Business System) to reflect accurate data from factory WIP reports and shipping documents.
• Review the POBE to ensure key sales priorities are expedited with Suppliers & freight options are maximised.
• Ensure Purchase Orders are delivered “on time”, optimising our Customer Order fulfilment.
• Maintain PO plans to reflect true delivery position including capacity constraints, factory closures, holidays, transportation lead times etc.
• Liaise with freight forwarders to review and approve bookings.
• Manage the ordering and delivery of samples for seasonal launches

Skills and Experience:

• Ideally proven experience in garment and general procurement
• Experience of production planning
• Experience of working with international freight forwarders
• Proven experience of building strong working relationships and influencing key stakeholders to drive high category performance
• Ideally experience of working with an offshore supply base
• High level of numeracy skill
• Strong Excel skills with experience of creating formulas and pivot tables
• Competent level of IT packages: Microsoft Office
• Excellent communication skills, to build strong relationships internally and externally of the department.
• High level of attention to detail - able to provide accurate information first time
• Time Management skills to enable effective prioritisation and decision making
• Ability to work in a fast paced and challenging environment
• Doesn’t get fazed when faced with challenges; enjoys finding solutions and improving processes.
• Able to independently prioritise and organize your own workload whilst working within a small team.
• Flexibility to be able to travel overseas if needed.
• CIPS Diploma desired but not essential

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff Discount
• Staff Shop
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (prorata’d to contract length)
• Access to training and development activities to support your career development
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support

Note:In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.