Job Description / Duties

THE ROLE

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia at 611 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1E1, Herschel Supply Company designs and manufactures the finest quality backpacks, bags, travel goods, apparel, and accessories for everyday explorers around the world. We are a design-driven, detail-oriented, innovative company that creates opportunities for individuals to express themselves, influence change and contribute to the growth of a global brand and are looking for a VP, Manufacturing to permanently join our growing team. Our workplace is dynamic, supportive, and entrepreneurial in spirit, and we pride ourselves in being a collaborative, open-minded and imaginative team.



The VP, Manufacturing will play an integral role in the design, manufacturing and production of a wide variety of product and category development and will work closely with the executive management team to expand current design and mass production capabilities. The VP, Manufacturing will be responsible for managing and developing a balanced portfolio of supply chain partners who can deliver on Herschel Supply’s business objectives. Proven business acumen at the executive level of a global brand is required. While the position is based out of our Vancouver office, from time to time the VP, Manufacturing will be required to travel to perform certain work duties.



A DAY IN THE LIFE

Our workplace is dynamic, supportive and entrepreneurial in spirit, and we pride ourselves on being a collaborative, open-minded and imaginative team.

On a day-to-day basis, the VP, Manufacturing will:

Manage all factories worldwide and direct reports on the global manufacturing team.
Direct and monitor all production activity including supplier forecasts, capacity plans, production schedules, and managing delivery expectations.
Organize and evolve the sourcing vendor base to meet the global vision and establish strategic, tactical and operational requirements.
Develop and coordinate supplier performance tracking (with regards to delivery and quality) based on existing frameworks and develop new performance tracking and reporting tools where needed.
Oversee product testing, quality assurance and compliance for all product categories.
Ensure finished good and raw material strategies are efficient and reflective of business priorities.
Support the development and implementation of appropriate costing frameworks and serve as escalation point for critical negotiations.
Manage annual budgeting process for the global product team and allocate sub budgets to other managers as required.
To the extent they may be developed, work with the legal team to patent design innovations and/or products (previous patent experience required).
Consult with executive team and specialists to establish design and product requirements for existing products.
Manage and direct preparation of specifications and guidelines for prototyping, sampling, and production for products not currently offered by Herschel Supply.
Work with senior management to design concepts, sketches or models for an expanded product offering using innovative and unique manufacturing processes.

Qualifications / Required Skills

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Must Haves:

4-year Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University.
Minimum of 20+ years’ related work experience for globally recognized lifestyle/apparel brands managing product creation (product management, product development, industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing), working across multiple countries of origins in a managerial role.
Minimum of 15+ years of management experience leading large, multi-country teams, and mentoring staff.
Minimum of 8+ years in an operational executive-level role providing strategic management and advice, at $100M+ global brand.
Proven leadership capability with track record of building and strengthening teams.
Proven track record of liaising with VP and Department Head roles (Founder, Product, Design, Operations, Strategy, Finance, Sales, Legal, HR & IT) regarding multidisciplinary project management and process matters.
Proven track record managing multi-person teams located in China, Hong Kong SAR, and SEA.
Extreme pressure tolerance and a history of working in high-stress/ambiguous environments on tight deadlines.
Previous patents issued.
Excellent English language skills.


Competencies:

In-depth working knowledge and expertise of soft-goods and hard-goods manufacturing processes, factory evaluation techniques and vendor compliance requirements.
Lead staff as an advisor and strategy leader with experience to understand issues and guide teams to solve challenges.
Existing connections with networks of suppliers in Asia and around the world.
Experience working with legal teams to protect innovative IP.
Deep knowledge of and experience in QC/QA strategy and ability to build processes and measure success.
Strong passion for people and a strong instinct for managing and developing talent.
Integrity beyond reproach.
Able to communicate clearly and seamlessly with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.
Strategic thinker with the proven ability to execute and build scalable processes and systems.

Additional Information

Benefits:

Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Long-Term Disability


To apply, please send your resume to barry.crossan@herschel.com.

Contact Information

barry.crossan@herschel.com

Employer Profile

Our goal is to create a timeless product with fine regard for detail.

Founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack, Herschel Supply Co. adopted the name of the town where three generations of their family grew up. Based in Vancouver, Canada Herschel Supply Co. is a design driven global accessories brand that produces quality products with a fine regard for detail.