Garment Technician Manager (m/f/d)

The future looks like you

With over 1,300 stores in 17 European countries and more than 25,000 employees, C&A is one of Europe’s leading fashion retailers. Every day, C&A welcomes millions of visitors to its stores in Europe and to its online shop. C&A offers quality and long-lasting fashion at affordable prices for the many. We are building on more than 180 years of experience in the fashion industry and continuously modernize the company to become an omnichannel fashion retailer.

At C&A we are driven by our values and we believe that affordable and high-quality fashion is not contradictory to caring for people & the planet, we are always forward thinking and acting to develop our business and innovate the industry. This is your chance to join the C&A team in KIDS department as a Garment Technician Manager (m/f/d) in our Vilvoorde office!

Manage Senior Garment Technician and Garment Technician team to meet business deliverables whilst maintaining the C&A brand through our quality and safety standards. Be responsible for all fit related issues in regard to fit at dummy and live model fittings, 3D technology, measurements and workmanship at development of all products manufactured within the assigned regions to maintain excellence of product in terms of quality and safety. Manage the supplier to get products correct first time with the right technical design/fit and production outcome to inspire our customer.

Your responsibilities

• Manage, coach and develop the respective regional team in order to maintain high performance and succession. Lead and support GT team to develop ‘fit for purpose’ products from new and existing suppliers
• Competence in C&A product development process, incl. management of C&A PLM Tech Pack, block pattern library and grading, and C&A fit standards for fit continuity throughout all product areas of specialty
• Track whether Suppliers are adequately trained for samples coming in 'right first time' through effective workmanship engineering and identifying cost reduction opportunities during new product development.
• Provide root cause analysis and solutions on major quality issues, incl. customer returns and Central Store Returns, capturing learnings for best practice sharing.
• Partner with the respective QAM Asia during new product development stage to conduct product Risk Assessments related to garment complexity and PU capability, recommending solutions prior to the product’s order placement and manufacture.
• Provide expertise for quality related manuals and guidelines, such as product safety guideline, Supplier Quality Manual (SQM) and validate quality requirements, policies and procedures to manage that new products will consistently meet the company's requirements
• Lead pre-production meetings (PPM) and highlight potential risks to quality and product integrity. Give solutions to issues such as handling difficult fabrics, difficult sewing methods and cutting techniques. When applicable (High Risk) approve production quality samples during the PPM
• Monitor supplier sample development performance to identify areas for improvement. Identify risk mitigation options and discuss with cross functional partners
• Organize cross functional team collaboration with Design, Buying and Sourcing in order to secure alignment
• Manage that all products are consistent with design direction, line plan, collection strategy and margin targets

KPI´s
• Manage the respective KPI’s

What you bring

• Extensive knowledge of garment and pattern construction 
• Extensive knowledge of silhouettes, fabrication, pattern, sewing techniques, graphics and trim 
• Extensive knowledge of textiles, current finishing and engineering techniques as well as manufacturing processes
• Extensive knowledge of 3D Development Systems
• Commercial awareness of industry standard quality levels and customer expectations
• Familiar with laboratory test requirements and testing procedures, European market legislations and regulations
• Fluent in English, especially in manufacturing and engineering, preferably fluent in additional language
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite, PDM/PLM (Product Data Management/Product Lifecycle Management) and Adobe Illustrator
• Strong team player and relationship skills combined with ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment 
• Strong leadership skills with a positive, outgoing, highly energetic and motivational personality with good self- awareness, growth mindset, strong decision-making mindset and transparent attitude
• Ability to decide and act with the customer in mind
• Passionate about the product by optimising quality processes
• Motivated by challenges
• Motivated by leading and enabling a collaborative team
• Adaptable with ability to manage and react to change as well as lead by example


Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in apparel engineering or equivalent
• Strong manufacturing knowledge
• Minimum 7 years of industry experience and 3 years of leadership/people management experience
• Expert knowledge across woven, knit and accessories categories within the supply base

What we offer

This is an opportunity for you to join us on a truly exciting transformation journey, where you’ll be able to leave footprints that last and contribute significantly to our vision. As well as knowing that you played a key part in the evolution of one of Europe’s most recognizable retail brands, you will also enjoy:

• Countless learning and development opportunities via our C&A academy
• Hybrid working model with 2 days a week working from home
• Access to a Partner Discount Scheme
• An employee discount of 25% in C&A stores
• Corporate pension scheme
• Mental health and wellness program
• An exciting job in an international and inspirational working environment
• A positive working atmosphere and a talented team with an open feedback culture