Beeswift is a manufacturer and wholesaler of personal protective equipment, workwear and medical supplies. As a leading supplier and manufacturer within our industry, we provide quality PPE from head to toe, offering customers superior durability and improved comfort. From our 144,000 sqft Headquarters in Birmingham, we distribute globally from stock.
We pride ourselves on our ethical standards, holding a number of accreditations and associations including the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), EcoVadis (Gold standard), members of Sedex, BSIF (British Safety Industry Federation), RSSS (Registered Safety Supplier Scheme) and BHTA (British Healthcare Trade Association). We also hold ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications.
We are "Focused On Safety."
About the role
To strategically create and drive the design agenda. Controlling all aspects of creative design output. Delivering industry-leading customer experiences that balance creativity and innovation with commercial reality, through the implementation of first-class design practices.
To source and develop supply chain solutions that best service business strategies and comply with all commercial, operational, technical, ethical and sustainability requirements.
Working hours for this role are fixed between 8am-5pm Monday to Friday (for example, 8am-4pm, or 9am-5pm), totalling 37.5 hours per week with a daily 30 minute unpaid lunch break.
The Candidate
Requirements
5+ years’ experience managing product development teams.
Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, selfmotivated, and performance driven.
Excellent level of IT knowledge especially Excel, Word, Illustrator & Photoshop.
Excellent technical ability across a wide range of product types including technical drawings, size charts, grading rules, patterns, product fitting.
Excellent fabric technical knowledge.
Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders including customer presentations.
Good knowledge of Critical Path and PLM systems.
Factory process knowledge is essential.
Garment technical qualifications essential.
Strong Knowledge of Statistical QC systems
Excellent level of mathematical ability.
Excellent negotiation skills.
Customer focus.
Change management and problemsolving skills.
Ability to travel for periods abroad.
People management and collaboration.
The ideal candidate will embody Beeswift's values and demonstrate a commitment to integrity, passion, teamwork and work ethic.
Please be aware that the successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of their settled status in the UK.
Duties and Responsibilities
To manage and execute the businesses product development & technical requirements driving the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of all developments. Control the quality of all products in line with the approved standards, working with the internal teams, suppliers, & factories to maintain and improve the approved quality standard across the supply chain. Staying up to date on relevant regulations & standards to ensure all products meet required compliance.
The role is an office based role, reporting into our Supply Chain Director.
Management and development of the product development team members.
Overall responsibility for all creative outputs including design boards, specifications, presentation packs, design samples, and design presentations.
Create innovation in fabrics, product value engineering/cost reduction, technology, sustainability, fit, and constructional improvements.
To create a product road map for key products to help deliver long term business goals.
Build and nurture internal sales team/client relationships ensuring that a best inclass customer experience is delivered with each interaction.
To advise the business on new developments and opportunities that would enhance its commercial appeal.
Identifying current and emerging market trends, customer preferences, and competitor activity to inform product selection and pricing.
Proactive R&D including attendance at trade shows, fabric fairs, and supplier product launches to stay up to date with industry trends.
Conduct product research whilst supporting the process of sourcing new supply chain solutions.
Develop and manage the businesses’ sourcing policy and procedures.
Developing open book costings and costing matrixes with new and existing suppliers/factories.
Identifying and sourcing products from vendors that align with the company's brand and target market, negotiating pricing and terms.
Controlling the product development budget and promoting a culture of commercial awareness and cost saving.
To have an active role in the monitoring and improvement of the margin performance against the budgeted levels.
To generate manufacturing specifications in an efficient and effective manner whilst achieving a right first time discipline in information transference.
To develop all raw materials until quality, colour, and performance approval.
To re assess all specification standards with a view to delivering an improved product it terms of quality and speed.
To set up and monitor a full QC solution throughout the supply chain to quantify and improve quality standards throughout the business, including independent third party solutions.
Lead initiatives to ensure compliance, safety, and quality standards whilst ensuring our products integrity in all applicable markets (UK/EU).
To establish and standardise all pattern blocks to drive consistency and speed of development.
To continually review technical standards with a view to keeping them up to date with the latest legislation, requirements, and technologies.
Staying up to date on relevant regulations & standards to ensure all products meet required compliance.
Documentation management, ensuring all documentation and certification is kept up to date and readily available.
Management of ESP audits via the Sedex platform, ensuring:
o All manufacturing facilities are set up.
o There is an up to date audit for each facility.
o We drive the delivery of any/all CAPs within the specified time frames.
Continually assess the level of risk with any given supplier in terms of operational performance & financial standing & implement exit strategy.
Key performance measures
Departmental budget.
Actual garment cost(s) v budgeted garment cost(s).
Margin Performance against budgets/targets.
Achievement of critical path dates.
Timely delivery of policy and procedural documents.
Cost saving target achievement.
New business generation through sourcing and product development innovation.
Variance in supplier vendor assessment results.
Accuracy of Sedex platform and outstanding CAPs.
Ensure correct application of terms and conditions.
Level of risk exposure.
Accuracy of Specifications.
To achieve right first time sampling.
Overall quality levels at 2.5 AQL levels.
Product certification status.
Accuracy of relevant system information.
Package and Benefits
Full time working hours are fixed, totalling 37.5 hours per week with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break.
Other benefits include:
33 days’ annual leave per annum, including Bank Holidays (increasing to a maximum of 38 days’ annual leave through our long service recognition scheme)
Enhanced pension package, with an employer contribution of 8%
A competitive benefits package, including enhanced family leave.
Life insurance of 5x annual salary.
Health insurance cover in the event of longterm sickness.
Employee wellbeing scheme, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
Our office is newly refurbished and there is free on site parking.
We understand that our people are what makes us successful in our goal of being the leading global provider of PPE, workwear and safety solutions.
You’ll be joining a company where personal growth is promoted and where equal opportunities for progression are offered to all members of staff. We strive to create a supportive working environment for all of our employees.
It’s our integrity, passion, teamwork and work ethic that brings the Beeswift team together.
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