Key Accounts Manager - Design

TFG (The Foschini Group); Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in fashion is seeking a Key Accounts Manager for its Fix Design Division. The role encompasses managing a team of designers, driving design processes from conception to delivery, and ensuring alignment with buying teams. Successful candidates should have over 5 years of experience in fashion design and manufacturing, coupled with strong analytical and organizational skills. This is a unique opportunity to influence product trends and improve service to retailers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in Design and Manufacturing of Fashion apparel.
• Experience managing diverse teams and dealing directly with fashion retailers.
• Understanding of trends to influence product development.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of designers and ensure timely product delivery.
• Collaborate with buyers, planners, and fabric suppliers.
• Translate international trends into market-relevant products.

Skills

Ms Excel

Planning and organisational skills

Analytical skills

Job description

An exciting position has arisen within the Fix Design Division, for a Key Accounts Manager. The successful candidate must have at least 5 years’ experience in the Design and Manufacturing of Fashion apparel. This person will be accountable for managing the Design critical path, processes and work flow from style conception (Design) to delivery (Production) and to provide effective communication to all relevant stakeholders. This person will manage a team of Designers and Pattern Designers. This person is responsible for researching, curating and presenting key trends and fabric intel to both design and retail buying trends. This person will also be accountable for the relationship with The Fix Buying Teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing a team of designers & pattern designers
• Dealing directly with both buyers and planners within the retail team.
• Dealing with both Fabric and Trims suppliers.
• Managing the workflow within the team to ensure that product is delivered on time to the Retailer.
• Collating and managing design calendars and processes on a quick response leadtime
• Translating international trends for the local market into exciting, actionable and relevant product
• Presenting credible trend presentations to buying teams with clear and feasible outlook on manufacturing strategy
• Constantly improving costs and efficiencies to insure the best possible service to the Retailer.

Qualifications and Experience:

• The successful candidate must have at least 5 years’ experience in the Design and Manufacturing of Fashion apparel.
• They need to have had experience in managing a Team across various job functions.
• They must have dealt directly with major fashion retailers within the South African market.
• They need to have had direct dealing with Buyers, Planners, Fabric Suppliers and CMT factories.
• Design/Trend background is essential as the candidate needs a clear understanding of trends to influence product development and insure good rate of sale.
• Experience in dealing with performance management, timekeeping and general conduct within a team is required.
• Worked with a manufacturing system, centric preferable.

Skills:

• Ms Excel competent
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Strong analytical skills

Behaviours:

• Communicates Effectively - conveys information and communicates ideas in a clear, concise and impactful manner
• Drives Engagement - inspires, motivates and empowers individuals to go above and beyond for the benefit of the team and the organisation
• Drives Results - sets ambitious goals and takes focused action to achieve desired outcomes to deliver measurable results
• Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Interpersonal Savvy - openly engages and interacts with others, builds rapport, and establishes positive relationships
• Manages conflict - effectively navigates and resolves conflict and disagreements in a constructive and productive manner
• Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives
• Values differences - recognises, respects, and appreciates the diverse values, beliefs, and perspectives of others

Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.