Textile and Apparel Management

Britches Clothing, a trendy women's boutique located in downtown Columbia, is currently looking for an assistant manager. For more information, please log onto http://hiremizzoutigers.missouri.edu/student-login/

Dick's Sporting Goods in Columbia, MO is seeking a Nike brand coordinator to focus on Nike brand messaging and gameplans, specifically. This position will be in charge of maintaining company standards throughout Nike departments, processing and stocking merchandise, setting gameplans, ensuring graphics are current to gameplans, making gameplan adjustments due to product flow, ensuring Nike displays remain full and providing excellent customer service. This position has high potential to move up within the company in stores or corporate offices. Please contact Annah Pharr at (573) 477-1001 for more information.

SERRV is seeking a product team assistant buyer. Candidate must be a creative, organized, energetic addition to the product development team. An ideal candidate would be a highly organized individual with experience in product development for the gift and home furnishings market, able to think both creatively and analytically about merchandising and new product development. Attention to detail and great communication skills are crucial, as the position will require detailed technical writing and ongoing communication with overseas artisan groups. SERRY is a small team that brings product to market for 60 grassroots artisans and food producers from around the world, so a sense of humor and willingness to pitch in wherever necessary is essential.

The assistant buyer position would be the primary contact and principal product developer for a portion of SERRV producer groups. This position participates in the development of trend reports and actively participates in the selection of products that SERRV sells through the catalog and online. In addition, this position would have a crucial coordinating role in the department—by making sure that the product bank is organized and current, accurately describing selected products and making sure that they enter our sales system correctly and keeping current on regulations and testing requirements for our product range.

JOB DESCRIPTION: As one of three regional buyers, this position would be responsible for sample development, modification requests and communication regarding product and producer information as well as all quality control issues for the producer groups in your region.

• Working within the sample budget, merchandising plan, and product team work plan, identify, design and modify products to be marketed by SERRV.
• Act as the primary conduit for information regarding products, including sample development, modifications, product information, and quality issues. Provide feedback to producer groups on ordered samples.
• Process sample shipments—receiving, unpacking, coding and pricing samples, and confirming shipments with producers
• Monitor sales of products of assigned groups and develop strategies for improving sales through product development for each group

Merchandising:

• Contribute to the development of a trend vision and merchandising plan for each new season’s products by looking at SERRV catalog sales data, researching the US market, collecting product inspiration ideas, and working closely with the rest of the product team and any outside resources in the creation of each season’s trend report.
• Participate as a member of the product team in product selection meetings
• Keeping current on product safety regulations and testing SERRV products as necessary to ensure our products are compliant with regulations
• Proof print catalog and other marketing materials as necessary
  

New Product Input and Processing:
In general, SERRV selects and purchases products two times a year. The following responsibilities are seasonal.

• Oversee safety and quality testing of selected new product samples
• Write detailed product descriptions for all new products each catalog season, and create a sku for the product. Photograph new products for internal records and as a reference for producers. Enter, edit and update product descriptions in ACT1
• Coordinate with the purchasing coordinator to make sure that she has all information necessary to place a purchase order
• Organize new products for handoff to marketing, update database with new products as necessary
  

Administration and Coordination:

• Manage sample bank and sample transfers
• Manage product team volunteers
• Other duties as designated

Our ideal candidate would have the following background:

• Bachelor's degree
• Training in graphic design, art, marketing, drawing, textile, and/or jewelry design.
• Knowledge of materials and production techniques used in developing a variety of crafts in different countries
• Personal experience in creating crafts using different materials (weaving, pottery, wood working, etc.)
• Experience in product design and development
• Computer skills, including experience with graphic design programs and excel
• Experience living and working overseas
• Knowledge of a foreign language, preferably Spanish or French.
  

To apply, contact: Jim Ramsey, SERRVHR@yahoo.com

Louisville Bedding is seeking a fiber account manager in Louisville, KY. This position will be responsible for improving the manufacturing and distribution processes of the Fiber operations. S/He will recommend and implement improvements to production process, and quality as well as cultivate and build the existing fiber customer accounts.

The key attributes of this individual are: strong, technical engineer background; the insight and ability to develop new products; develop and enhance client relationships (not just client maintenance); and excellent project management skills.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES      

• Lead projects to design a cost effective process and track progress through to completion.
• Contribute in the lean manufacturing process and work in cross functional teams.
• Maintain contact with accounting team to ensure account financial information is current and relevant.
• Help create standard operating procedures and measure performance.
• Assist and communicate with the continuous improvement department.
• Maintain contact with business analyst to ensure all files, customer information and product information is complete, current and well-organized.
• Communicate with fiber supplier to review and share information to improve quality, price and service.
• Develop power point presentations to review performance, quality, and project updates with the customer.
• Participate in weekly fiber operations meetings to discuss business from the sales perspective.
• Communicate weekly with Purchasing to monitor material flow, price and new opportunities.
• Communicate and assist with the Product Development department and how it relates to the Fiber operations.
• Manage product flow to customer (individual plants) to ensure we meet their requirements and they meet ours.
• Help manage raw and finished inventory levels.
• Review and assist in product costing.
• Maintain profit margin and react if they are not met.
• Follow, implement and support company EEO and customer compliance policies.
• External contacts will include customers, vendors, government and other community officials.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Experience / skills required:

• Two or more years of experience as a Project/Industrial Engineer for a manufacturing wholesaler.
• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing, Customer Service. Some Operations experience is a plus.
• Strong technical knowledge of textiles, product costing, and marketing consumer products.
• Understanding and working knowledge of current and emerging trends impacting the Fibers/ Textiles industries.
• Regular travel to visit customers and company manufacturing facilities and showrooms.

• Some physical challenges of the job are:
•  Ability to maneuver through large manufacturing plants including tight areas around machinery.
• Entry into some OSHA restricted areas and prolonged periods of walking and standing on concrete. Plant visits may include use of personal protective equipment.
• Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or heavy lifting as required in order to facilitate moving finished goods and sample shipments. 
• Extended viewing of computer screens.

Personal attributes:

• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Adept client service, relationship building skills.
• Ability to provide effective and timely solutions on a variety of projects.
• Adept analytical skills; highly organized.
• Can work autonomously and be part of a team.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, textile merchandising or related field (or equivalent working experience) required.

Contact information:

Karen Pinkman
Executive Vice President
JobPlex - DHR International  
300 Atlantic Street, Suite 203  
Stamford, CT  06901
(203) 969-3070                                                                            
kpinkman@jobplex.com

Mary Vo
Research Associate
DHR International
8000 Maryland Avenue
Clayton, Missouri 63105
Tel: 314-269-8932
mvo@dhrinternational.com 

Invisible Children (IC) is seeking a creative problem solver with a business, fashion merchandising, or social entrepreneurship background to manage the logistics and coordination of the Mend Program in northern Uganda. Mend is a social enterprise geared toward facilitating financial independence and development for women formerly abducted by the LRA. The program currently supports 22 seamstresses who use their tailoring skills to create unique, high-quality handbags. Each Mend product carries the name of the seamstress who made it and seams a personal connection between the products, their makers, and consumers. Mend is currently expanding the product line and increasing production, and is looking for someone to drive this expansion. This person will work closely with the seamstresses and support staff to implement product-design, oversee soft goods production, and coordinate with headquarters in San Diego. The ideal candidate is both relationally and logistically minded, and loves working on a team. S/he is also driven, flexible and a strong communicator. For more information and to apply, visit the Invisible Children website.

Wee Ones is seeking a product designer in the St. Louis area. As a member of the design team, this position plays an integral role in expanding new product strategy and direction, sourcing new materials and developing new products and designs for seasonal and exclusive customer lines. A background in fashion or product design is required. For more information, contact Gina Faust at (314) 400-6706 or gina@weeones.com.

Rally House is seeking an assistant manager to oversee the training of the staff on company sales standards and providing sales associates with weekly goal projections based off of weekly store projections. The assistant manager will track all sales associates progress with coaching logs. They are in charge of keeping the sales floor presentable and delegating daily projects to sales associates. Assistant managers must be focused, nurturing, ability to train others, enthusiastic attitude and be detail orientated. They will assist the store manager in Operations. (i.e. adjusts, payroll, defects, transfers, action memos, direct all activities required to achieve store goals, including sales objectives, customer service, mentoring and retention of sales staff, and loss prevention, and merchandising.)

Position Requirements:

• Sales: Proven ability to generate sales, add-on and develop and direct the sales team
• Human Resources: Proven ability to interview, select and develop sales team
• Client Service: Ability to function as a role model, ensuring that the client remains the top priority
• Organization: Ability to organize, delegate, prioritize, meet deadlines and follow-up on all activities within the store
• Leadership: Proven ability to challenge and motivate the management team and associates in an atmosphere of mutual respect
• Merchandising: Knowledge of visual standards and techniques, and ability to implement and substitute within guidelines
• Communication: Demonstration of strong verbal and written communication skills to store team, operations managers, district manager, corporate office and store associates

Educational Requirements and Experience:

• 1-2 years of retail clothing experience
• 1-2 years supervisory experience
• Associates or Bachelors degree preferred
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Training and Coaching experience
• Enthusiastic attitude, outgoing 

If you are interested in applying, please go to http://rallyhouse.myexacthire.com/.

Rally House is seeking a store manager to direct all activities required to achieve all store goals, including sales objectives, client service, human resources management, payroll and operating expenses, loss prevention and merchandise presentation. This position works closely with the district manager and is solely responsible for staffing and scheduling, updating the store according to merchandising specifications, mentoring and motivating sales associates and sales managers, ensuring that weekly checklists are completed, filling out mandatory paperwork, etc.

Position Requirements:

• Sales: Proven ability to generate sales, add-on and develop and direct the sales team
• Human Resources: Proven ability to interview and develop team
• Client Service: Ability to function as a role model, ensuring that the client remains the top priority
• Organization: Ability to organize, delegate, prioritize, meet deadlines and follow-up on all activities within Division of Responsibility
• Leadership: Ability to challenge and motivate associates in an atmosphere of mutual respect and with professionalism
• Merchandising: Knowledge of visual standards and techniques, and ability to implement and substitute within guidelines
• Communication: Demonstration of strong verbal and written communication skills to Sales Manager, District Manager, Corporate Office and Store Associates
• Business Analysis: Knowledge of store reports in order to maximize performance, drive volume, and react to trends in the business

Educational Requirements and Experience:

• 2-5 years of retail clothing experience preferred
• Minimum 2 years management experience in the service industry
• Minimum Associates or Bachelors degree preferred
• Must be able to work Nights and Weekends
• Must be able to work 6 days per week during holiday season
• 44 hour position
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Training and Coaching experience
• Enthusiastic attitude, Outgoing

If you are interested in applying, please go to http://rallyhouse.myexacthire.com/.

Rally House is looking to fill two Manager in Training Positions (MIT) at their Overland Park, KS and Independence, MO locations. The positions begin May 2012. MITs assist the store manager in directing all activities required to achieve store goals, including sales objectives, client service, human resources management, payroll and operating expenses, loss prevention and merchandise presentation. MITs are in charge of keeping the sales floor presentable and delegating daily projects to sales associates. Candidates must be focused, nurturing and posses the ability to train others while maintaining an enthusiastic attitude. MITs must be detail orientated and a sports fan.

Advancement Opportunities: This position is designed to provide participants with accelerated advancement opportunities within the company. Pending a positive review by the store manager and district manager, MITs are eligible to apply for an assistant store manager position. Employees who follow this career path will receive the first opportunity to interview as positions open in the Corporate Buying Department.

Position Requirements:

• Sales: Proven ability to generate sales, add-on and develop and direct the sales team
• Human Resources: Proven ability to interview, select and develop sales team
• Client Service: Ability to function as a role model, ensuring that the client remains the top priority
• Organization: Ability to organize, delegate, prioritize, meet deadlines and follow-up on all activities within the store
• Leadership: Proven ability to challenge and motivate the management team and associates in an atmosphere of mutual respect
• Merchandising: Knowledge of visual standards and techniques, and ability to implement and substitute within guidelines
• Communication: Demonstration of strong verbal and written communication skills to store team, operations managers, district manager, corporate office and store associates

Educational Requirements and Experience:

• 1-2 years of retail clothing experience
• 1-2 years supervisory experience
• Associates or Bachelors degree preferred
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Training and Coaching experience
• Enthusiastic attitude, outgoing 

Compensation: Hourly / Full Time / Benefits. If you are interested in applying, please go to http://rallyhouse.myexacthire.com/.