Area:                                                    Global Operations

Department:                                        Product Operations

Direct Reporting Line:                           Technical Manager_ Footwear Sample Making

Indirect/secondary reporting line:         N/A

Subsidiary/country:                              USA

Location:                                              Downtown Los Angeles

GSMS Grade:                                        P1

Number of Personnel Managed:           0

Cost Center/Budget and/or Revenue Responsibility: No

Purpose:   Our objective is to efficiently create high-quality stitched shoe uppers that contribute to the development, validation, and commercialization of new products. We aim to minimize costs and streamline the assembly of prototypes by exploring alternative construction methods. By producing superior uppers in the most effective manner, we can enhance the manufacturing process and expedite the development timeline. Additionally, we strive to effectively represent our brand by consistently communicating the value we bring to both internal and external partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with Creation Teams, to navigate best process and sequence of assembly for each shoe upper designs and all other projects assigned by management.
•  determine best process and sequence of assembly for each shoe upper design.
• Approach ambiguity with performance solution-based mindset, seeking innovative solutions, and effectively communicate back to management through clear and concise messaging.
• Staying up-to-date with new stitching technologies and techniques by actively seeking out learning opportunities and continuously adapting our skills to remain at the forefront of innovation.
• Pre-fit cut upper parts by marking, skiving, splitting, perforating, etc. so as to produce cut upper parts that are ready to be assembled into a finished stitched upper ready for lasting.
• Assemble individual pre-fit cut parts in the proper sequence and following the provided specifications for the stitching details to produce a quality finished upper.
• Through the above process, produce quality pairs of matched upper ready for lasting and remaining shoe making steps.
• Operate all necessary machinery required to pre-fit and produce uppers: i.e., splitter, skiver, and various stitching machines.
• Provide a technical review of each project with the designer or developer with suggestions on how to improve it, if possible.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to operate or learn to operate all machinery required for pre-fitting and stitching shoes.
• Ability to learn new operations.
• Ability to learn to operate the auto cutting machinery.
• A strong understanding of materials used in prototyping.
• Be capable of thinking through sequence of operations on uppers and make improvement suggestion to pattern engineers to improve the prototypes.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Complete all projects within the established timelines.
• Ability to cross train on other positions in the sample department and to provide backup on these positions as needed.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of progressive work experience
• (or) College or university degree with a focus on fashion, textiles or apparel development, preferred
• 0 – 2 years of experience within the Apparel/FW industry, preferred