Footwear Commercialization & Production Manager

At the crossroads of fashion and sport, Lacoste liberates and creates movement.
Both universal and timeless, it crosses cultures, oceans and generations to inspire each and every person.
Two Lacoste items are sold every second in the world.
As a global brand, our 8,500 team members are present in more than 100 countries, on all continents. We offer a wide range of jobs, from manufacturing to omnichannel distribution. We provide to our customers a complete range of products: apparel, footwear, leather goods, underwear, fragrances, eyewear and watches, all of them being developed with a unique "savoir faire", in the most qualitative, responsible and ethical way.
Working at Lacoste is belonging to a community of talents on the move to build the future. We foster equal opportunities to gather promising people regardless of their differences.
Together we can make our crocodile always greater to have a meaningful impact: on the fashion industry and on society.
Lacoste is one of the inspiring brands driven by passionate people of the MF Brands Group, alongside with Aigle, Gant and Tecnifibre ([protected info])
CONTEXT AND PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Ensuring that developed product is fully evaluated and commercialized (without compromising the integrity of the developed prototype) in preparation for mass production. Ensures product evaluation covers areas of fit/ performance, grading and commercial viability.
To implement the company's Quality Assurance, Quality Control policies and ensure that production meets the customer's specifications and requirements.
Report directly to Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager
Manage the team of commercialization & production as well as Quality Assurance team.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Product:
Conduct commercialization in accordance to confirmed development and design specifications while maintaining an emphasis on performance and integrity; commercialization must utilize the latest technical innovations where applicable.
Is aware of Lacoste brand mission and customer focus, understands Lacoste product history.
Operations:
Ensure commercialization procedures are executed according to the commercialization calendar to allow for on-time production start; is able to work within commercialization timelines without compromise to product quality.
Has a good understanding of suppliers' delivery timelines (such as lasts, mold, cutting dies etc....) and plans ahead accordingly.
Take initiative to stay updated with Critical Product Reports.
Actively participate in all tech levels and work on tear-down meetings with Development team to be fully familiar with product at onset of commercialization process.
Ensure that all necessary information has been received from development along with the finalized prototype in order to facilitate commercialization.
Ensure value/cost optimization by providing cost efficient manufacturing ideas and expertise throughout the development/production process.
Quality
Oversee the daily activities of the Lacoste compliance areas relating to quality control.
To keep abreast of international trends and developments in quality management, footwear construction and technology, make suitable recommendations to management to facilitate continuous performance improvements.
To recommend and implement technical and operational manuals and guidelines to continuously improve and maintain the company's established standard. These are to be generic as well as brand specific reflecting specific brand requirements.
Ensure that all the relevant people management processes are carried out in a manner that allows factories' QA team to develop their skills so as to be able to meet their objective.
Ensure manufacturers are fully aware of quality needs.
Work with factories to improve quality and manufacturing efficiencies, encourages investment in modern manufacturing machinery and techniques.
Delivery
Ensure Lacoste delivery objectives are met.
Work closely with development, technical team and factories managements to ensure on time production start.
Work with Merchandizer and Shipping team ensuring accurate and timely communication of order status and production issues.
Costing
Ensure value/cost optimization by providing cost efficient manufacturing ideas and expertise throughout the development / production process.
Personnel
Manage all direct reports. Assists in establishing career paths for key individuals.
Ensure all direct reports are fully trained in Lacoste procedures (includes internal training program).
CR
Ensures factories comply with Pentland Corporations responsibility (CR)
Ensures factories comply with local labor laws, reports back any violations.
Ensures manufacturers comply with fire and health and safety regulations, reports back and follows up on any short-comings and abuses.
Factory Relations
Educates suppliers with Lacoste business needs and objectives, maintains a positive factory relationship via day to day communication and positive participation.
Requisite Education/Experience:
Extensive knowledge and experience of best practice quality assurance methodology and implementation in footwear industry obtained from 10 years in Footwear manufacture with at least 5 years of this as production and commercialization with leadership role.
Quality inspection experience and testing practices
Diploma or degree from educational entity focusing on shoemaking or engineering.
Experience in Footwear business such as Materials, Lab, mold, etc.
Customer focused
Uncompromising
Able to work under pressure
High integrity
Influencing
Able to travel around in Vietnam and overseas
Have a good command of both English and Vietnamese (both spoken and written)