Industrialization Raw Materials Manager | Luxury Goods

Industrialization Raw Materials Manager | Luxury Goods

Join to apply for the Industrialization Raw Materials Manager | Luxury Goods role at Chaberton Professionals

Industrialization Raw Materials Manager | Luxury Goods

Join to apply for the Industrialization Raw Materials Manager | Luxury Goods role at Chaberton Professionals

Chaberton Professionals is one of the recruiting divisions of Chaberton Partners. We support client companies in the search and selection of middle and top management profiles. Our goal is to create success stories and enrich the talent pipeline within our client companies. For one of our clients, a leading company in Luxury Goods, we are currently supporting the recruitment of Industrialization Raw Materials Manager , based in Florence .

The Industrialization Raw Materials Manager leads the strategic integration of raw materials (leathergoods, textile) from design concept to efficient mass production. This role bridges design, sourcing, technical, and manufacturing, ensuring materials meet aesthetic, performance, cost, and sustainability goals. It's a key link between creative vision, supplier selection, and production readiness. The Manager will support Sourcing team in defining material landscapes and onboarding suppliers, collaborating with Design to translate creative visions into viable materials. A key responsibility is partnering with Pattern Making and Production to guarantee manufacturability and streamline production. The Manager drives continuous improvement, optimizing processes and ensuring quality. Ultimately, this role ensures the responsible and efficient flow of materials, supporting brand standards and operational excellence.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES:

• Collaborate closely with Design to understand intricate material needs and aesthetic visions: actively participate in design briefings and concept reviews to gain a deep understanding of the desired look, feel, and performance attributes of raw materials for each collection.
• Conduct thorough material feasibility assessments early in design reviews to identify potential challenges and opportunities: Proactively evaluate the technical limitations and manufacturing implications of proposed materials to ensure alignment with production capabilities and cost targets.
• Support the adoption of innovative, sustainable materials aligned with evolving design trends and brand values
• Lead the material selection process, considering a wide range of factors including aesthetics, performance, cost, availability, and sustainability impact. Apply a holistic approach to material selection, balancing creative aspirations with practical considerations to optimize product quality, profitability, and environmental footprint.
• Support the Strategic Sourcing team in defining comprehensive material characteristics, performance specifications, and quality standards. Provide technical expertise and market insights to guide supplier selection and ensure the procurement of materials that meet or exceed all established requirements.
• Contribute to onboarding processes for high-quality suppliers who meet stringent standards for sustainability, ethics, and innovation. Support where requested the evaluation and qualification of new and existing suppliers, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry best practices.
• Partner with Pattern Makers, Product Engineers, and Manufacturing teams to ensure material manufacturability and industrial readiness. Collaborate closely with manufacturing stakeholders to optimize material usage, minimize waste, and streamline production processes.
• Identify and resolve material-related issues that may arise during the prototyping and production phases: Work collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams to troubleshoot problems, implement corrective actions, and ensure consistent product quality.

STRATEGY and KEY TASKS:

• Support the development of the raw material strategy, providing insights on material trends, innovations, and potential sourcing opportunities
• Support assessments of new materials to identify potential production challenges and develop solutions
• Develop and implement standardized processes for material industrialization to improve efficiency and reduce lead times
• Proactively identify and address any material-related issues that arise during the development or production phases

TECHNICAL SKILLS - PORTRAIT OF A PERFECT CANDIDATE:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Textile/Leathergoods Technology, or Materials Science (Master's preferred)
• 7-10 years' experience in the fashion, apparel, or luxury goods industry
• Expert knowledge of raw material properties, manufacturing processes, and industrialization techniques
• Proficiency in PLM systems, and product development tools
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Good capability to work cross-functionally with Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams
• Demonstrated proficiency in leadership, analytical thinking and creative problem-solving
• Negotiation skills coupled with a proven ability to manage conflicts effectively
• Ability to translate business needs into strategic actions and to address complex production and suppliers’ challenges
• Target oriented mindset
• Advanced proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Office suite for business operations
• English Advanced knowledge (B2 or more); French knowledge is a plus
• Excel Advanced knowledge

Location: Florence

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management

• Industries

  Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry

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