Product Technologist (Assessment) Maternity Cover - 15 Sept 2023 - 02 April 2024 at Ackermans

Job Advert    

• A maternity cover opportunity has become available within our Product Technology team. The maternity cover will run from 15 September 2023 till 02 April 2024. 
• We are looking for a resilient, efficient, and driven individual to provide technical support by maintaining and enhancing consistent quality of products and processes, in support of the Company’s product strategy.

Qualifications    
Essential:

• Grade 12 Certificate/Matric

Preferred:

• Diploma in clothing/ fashion design/ clothing management OR
• Diploma in Textile Technology OR
• Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Science (with specialisation in Clothing Management), OR
• Relevant qualification in clothing/ footwear management or design, preferably with the following subjects:
• Garment/ Product design
• Manufacturing technology
• Garment construction and engineering
• Pattern making
• Grading
• Textiles and Leathers (Fibres & Yarns)
• Technical Drawing
• Fabric construction, characteristics of fabrics and performance
• Dyeing, Finishing and Tannery
• Certificate in Fibres and Fabrics
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience    
KNOWLEDGE required: 
Essential:

• Relevant legislation (e.g. Country of Origin Labelling Act)
• Knowledge of SABS standards (area specific)
• Supplier base knowledge (capabilities and areas of specialisation)
• Related services – Distribution Centres, Customer Care, Marketing, Stores, Information Technology, Shipping, and Packaging

Preferred:

• Business critical path – buying cycle
• Business processes (S.O.P.’s)
• Departmental (Product technology) processes and standards
• Product Technology objectives and strategies

SKILLS required: 

• Excellent command of the English language
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills
• The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, business expectations to suppliers; technical information to non-technical audiences and effectively represent the company to external customers, suppliers and stakeholders
• Effectively represent the company to external customers, suppliers ad stakeholders
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Sound planning, organising & time management skills
• Negotiating skills
• Good conflict management skills

The ability to:

• Be assertive
• Be creative and innovative
• Be resourcesful
• Work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Be self-motivated
• Work independently, as well as be a team player

EXPERIENCE required:
Essential:

• 3 years manufacturing experience (preferably within a clothing/ footwear/ textiles/ homeware and essentials environment) and/or
• 3 years retail experience in product technology with exposure to a broad range of clothing/ footwear/ textiles/ homeware and essential products 
• Experience working with suppliers to ensure good product quality and practices 
• Experience in product fit and measuring requirements 
• Experience in assessing samples and advising on fit for purpose, fit and technical outcomes 
• Computer literacy including programs such as Microsoft 365 
• Relevant experience in production-related health and safety practices

Preferred:

• Outwork (printing, dye-house, fabric mill) exposure 
• Experience in garment testing 
• Exposure to production floor, work study and process engineering 
• Exposure to general attachments to specialised manufacturing units 
• Exposure to automation/manufacturing machinery 
• Experience in product specific manufacturing, pattern making & grading 
• Exposure to pressing, ironing and fusing 
• Exposure and/or experience in production quality auditing   
• Exposure to general retail practises/processes
• Exposure to garment development  

Key Responsibilities    

• To accurately assess products against company standards and specifications in accordance with the critical path to ensure consistent compliance across all departments and suppliers
• To maintain, communicate and issue standards and product specifications
• To review and provide insights regarding necessary product specification adjustments in accordance with Company strategy