Materials Manager

**Purpose**:
Manages Materials vendor relationships, owns establishing and monitoring delivery milestones across material categories to ensures the overall Reebok Design Group/SMFE objectives are met (end-to-end accountability). Leads Material and Trim team to ensure optimal setup and resource allocation to secure stable and reliable execution.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Lead end-to-end operations in portfolio of dedicated partners (incl. bulk & sample delivery, material quality, material innovation & creation, sustainability, compliance, costing etc.) to ensure RDG/ SMFE objectives, standards, and compliance expectations are met.
- Own and monitor Supply base performance (accountable for related key performance indicators) in accordance with targets established by RDG/SMFE senior management
- Report on all bulk & sample deliveries and highlight quality or timing issues
- Proactively identify operations issues before they impact performance, drive mitigation efforts with relevant stakeholders and ensure timely implementation and communication.
- Work with Supply base to implement RDG strategic guidance, standards / certifications (e.g., Quality) and cross-functional initiatives to ensure adequate support for achieving both strategic objectives and product expectations (incl. material selection / commercialization support).
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Quality, Costing, RDG Material Development) and Supply base to provide solutions to issues.
- Drive counter developments (incl. facilitation between T1s and T2s) and support Right First-Time allocation by providing regular T2 capability & capacity updates (bulk & development).
- Identify, onboard, and develop new T2 vendors in collaboration with other functions (e.g., Social & Environmental Affairs, Quality, and others) in alignment with RDG materials strategy and conduct technical / manufacturing capability assessments.
- Ensure that all relevant processes and policies for material sourcing operations are communicated to the Supply base and other relevant stakeholders, monitor compliance, and support other functions with Supply base relevant policy rollouts as needed.
- Support Global Costing activities throughout development process by driving negotiations with T2s towards a cost optimized product, challenging gaps towards seasonal T2 targets and securing achievement of RDG costing objectives.
- Motivate, coach, and develop team members to continuously enhance the competencies of individuals and grow the overall capabilities of the team.
- Lead and implement other projects as assigned.

**Key Relationships**:

- RDG Material and trim team in Boston
- SMFE x-functional team
- SEA team
- Product Operations
- RDG Planning team
- T1/T2 suppliers

**Knowledge Skills and Abilities**:

- Strong knowledge of materials construction and manufacturing process
- Knowledge of and prior experience in apparel manufacturing process
- Strong interpersonal, communication & negotiation skills with ability to interact, influence and convince at Senior Management level
- Strong people management skills
- Strong analytical and reporting skills
- Strong ability to convert strategy into delivery of results
- Highly proactive problem solver with continuous improvement mindset
- Strong time organization and resources management skills
- Fluent in English (written and spoken), additional languages, is an advantage.

**Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications**:

- College or university degree in Apparel/Textile Technology.
- Minimum 7 years progressive work experience in Apparel Textiles.
- Solid experience in people management.
- Experience in project management is an advantage

**Location: Marina One West Tower (Office will relocate)**

**Working Hours: 9am - 6pm**

**Reports to: Senior Costing Manager