Director, Manufacturing Excellence

About the Role The Director of ME will manage a team of Sr. Managers / Managers to drive ME initiatives across multiple Categories globally with Gap Sourcing Vendor partners. They will be responsible to establish Engineering Capability infrastructure and upskill IE`s across the Vendors and implement best in class engineering practices by tracking key IE metrics, implementing lean practices like Kaizen, Kanban, Gemba etc., and working on process and method engineering to improve overall production efficiency. They will set up seasonal production efficiency targets with the Vendors in collaboration with the Costing team to mitigate inflation and improve cost. They will also be responsible to drive & track automation and de-skilling of the operators across the Vendors.

Work with the Product teams in Sourcing and Brand to create awareness of the manufacturing landscape and for core products create Manufacturing playbook to enhance adoption of Design to Manufacturing. What Youll Do

• Develop, train and coach targeted vendors engineers to continuously improve engineering capability with those skill set defined in engineering capability enhancement program.
• Coach, influence, challenge and identify improvement opportunities per collected and analysed fact or data per IE metrics or operational data collected by vendor engineers.
• Leverage best-in-class manufacturing engineering know-how and knowledge through develop and maintain best practice, lean, technology and Industrial engineering.
• Establish baseline efficiency across Vendor partners, identify efficiency improvement opportunities thru process and methods to mitigate labor inflation.
• Facilitate improvement plan scoping and timeline, align target with vendors, setup governance to review implementation progress and target.
• Overseeing progress of improvement initiatives/kaizens, provide on-the-ground coaching and support with right tools and methodology, leverage knowledge and experience.
• Build cross functional partnerships. Communicate effectively with different stakeholders on purpose, requirements, progress update, escalate and report regular update progress and performance.

• Qualification - Industrial Engineering Diploma/Degree required.
• Experience - Minimum 12-15 years of Industrial Engineering role in manufacturing. Implemented Manufacturing engineering & Lean practices as a Project Manager in apparel / footwear manufacturing operations.
• Exposure - Knowledge and experience working in apparel industry and GSD certification is a definite advantage.
• Problem Solver - can proactively solve problems and effectively manage multiple challenges . Willing to be the champion for an idea and stand up for change.
• Team Leadership - has successfully led Multi COO Vendor Partners and teams (direct and dotted line reporting relationships). Ability to coach, drive collaboration and achieve results through engaging team. Can maneuver through complex situations, effectively adjusts to situational needs, and maintains team morale.
• Collaboration- Proven ability influencing and making decisions cross-functionally in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial.
• Personal Leadership - demonstrated executive presence, presentation, influencing, and collaboration across a leadership team.
• Change Leadership - experience leading with and without authority to influence others and drive decision-making.
• Talent Builder - proven track record of assessing, attracting, developing best-in-industry teams.