Sourcing & Production Buyer

Les Benjamins is a luxury streetwear brand founded by Bunyamin Aydin in Istanbul. We strive to translate local stories, deep-rooted cultural influences, and rituals into the craftsmanship of comfort. Our founder embraces exploration and touches into cultural landscapes with a style that manages to defy cliché and, at the same time, fuels the eagerness to discover and rethink the unknown.

Reporting

• Reports directly to the Sourcing Director.

Job Summary To supervise the progress of the entire production phase and to be responsible for the organization and implementation of the protocols guaranteeing:

• The right timing
• The right amount
• The right price
• The right size
• The expected quality from the first proto phase until the final product.

Job Responsibilities

Product Development

• Work with design teams to manage the development of RTW (woven, jersey, denim, leather, knitwear, accessories).
• Review product designs and give feedback to design teams for revisions in the proto phase.
• Launch trials of embroideries, metal accessories, trims, or other customization studies for the garments.
• Approve fabrics and accessories for production.
• Approve colors.

Sampling

• Allocate proto products to manufacturers.
• Manage prototype development to ensure timely delivery for milestone meetings.
• Participate in all fittings and communicate notes to patternmakers.

Costing

• Execute pricing and pre-pricing activities and support suppliers.
• Compile the final budget file (fabric consumption; trims; value-added services such as printing, embroidery, washing, applique; testing; transportation and logistics costs; profit of the manufacturing organization; currency exchange rate, etc.).

Planning

• Check Linesheet files produced by the category department, correcting relevant errors and adapting them for sourcing.
• Foresee technical risks that may occur in production during the pre-order and sample approval stages and offer solutions.
• Support special projects when necessary.
• Comply with schedules and deadlines.
• Support PLM activities and tools.

Coordination

• Find solutions for design applications that manufacturers have difficulty with and provide necessary technical support.
• Actively visit producers in the field.
• Meet with design teams regarding feedback from manufacturers and provide necessary guidance.
• Manage relationships with suppliers.

Sourcing

• Transfer design technical information to the manufacturer.
• Process new orders, ensuring that styles, quantities, sizes, selling prices, and agreed delivery dates are correct.
• Complete and confirm the pre-order list for factories, with accurate dates added for each critical path date in the production process.
• Hold weekly critical path meetings to identify any issues that may impact delivery dates and communicate with the factory to expedite processes where needed.
• Liaise with factories to discuss production issues and explore ways for improvement.
• Keep internal customers updated on order progress, advise on intake delays, and request extensions.
• Chase up samples and lab dips, print approvals.
• Monitor weekly shipments from factories.

Qualifications

• Graduate of Textile Engineering.
• 3-5 years of experience, preferably.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Quality-oriented.
• Highly organized with strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Basic knowledge of sewing techniques.
• Fabric know-how, especially in knitting and denim, is a must.
• Always curious about fashion and trends.
• Confident in speaking to customers with strong communication skills (written & verbal).
• A good team player with a positive attitude towards work and adaptability to new challenges.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.

View additional career opportunities on the Les Benjamins page. Please cite Calibre Careers as your referral source.