Fifth Sun Retail Clothing Supplier, Director of Product Development and Planning (Chico)

FIFTH SUN

A DIVISION OF GONZALES ENTERPRISES, INC

COMPANY INFO:

Fifth Sun is located in beautiful Northern California (180 miles north of San Francisco) and has been a leading supplier of graphic t-shirts and apparel for the retail clothing industry for over 13 years. The primarily focus is graphic and fashion design, and the marketing and distribution of printed apparel for juniors (teen girls) and young men, for such companies as Hot Topic, Anchor Blue, JCPennys, Macys, and Wal-Mart. We offer several categories of Private label attitude and urban inspired product lines for major national accounts. In addition, we also hold many licenses such as Manchester United, Warner Brothers, Miller Beer, Guinness Beer, Captain Morgan, Patron, World Wrestling Entertainment, Discovery Channel, Pepsi and Ben Davis, just to name a few. Our product lines are highly recognized across the U.S. and abroad, and carry a great deal of reputation for outstanding art, creative execution and high quality garments. We encourage you to view our website for a small sampling of what types of designs we do at www.5sun.com. To support our growth, Fifth Sun moved, Oct 2007, into a creatively and custom designed 44,000 sq. ft. facility complete with several lounge/meeting areas, theatre room, café and outdoor break areas. Fifth Sun employees are creative, passionate and driven, they are proud of what they have built and a high level of performance is expected by all of us who make up Fifth Sun. We are a profitable company, with an excellent credit rating, and value our employees. We have minimal turnover.

Job Title:

Director of Product Development and Planning.

Reporting to the Creative Director, this position will develop, operate and manage a product development and sourcing department within the design department. This is a “hands on” and newly formed position created to address the growth in this segment of our company. In addition, this role could require both domestic and international travel. Qualifications:

• University degree required, 6 - 10 years of accumulated planning, buying or sourcing experience required with product development a plus.
• Strong planning background is a definite plus.
• 3-5 years of management experience required
• Best candidate must have a thorough understanding of fabrics and construction details for young mens, juniors and children’s apparel or be able to learn this quickly.
• Knowledge in cross-functional operations is preferred, including merchandising, sourcing, distribution/logistics, planning, allocations and QA
• Strong IT skills (Microsoft office applications and Outlook a must, familiarity with PLM software a plus)
• Knowledge of global, regional and country specific trade programs/regulations
• Strong ability to communicate clearly and objectively
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Strategic thinking & visionary skills required.
• Good eye for market trends for our customer base. Must Haves (Requirements):
• Must relocate to Chico, Ca
• Passionate, approachable, strong follow though.
• Positive, energetic, upbeat and fun while maintaining professionalism. We’re looking for a visionary.
• Strong work and personal ethic with a lead by example work philosophy.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team. This includes the desire to build teams and mentor your reports for their growth and job satisfaction.
• Ability to follow and understand popular culture and how it affects our markets.
• Strong strategic planning aptitude and ability to execute it.
Duties:
• Strategic line planning of licensed, non licensed and private label products.
• Develop and manage a Product Development calendar for sales.
• Take ownership and manage the product from conception all the way through the process to a completed salesman sample.
• Learn the screen print process including limitations and new techniques.
• Assist sales department in sales presentations to buyers and program planning.
• Merchandise and work with our design department to plan for and create, sample new products and work with the sourcing department.
• Manage an in house or satellite sourcing department and PD department.
• Some vendor management and negotiations.
• Institute and manage quality assurance programs.
• Make presentations to sales and design department of new line developments along with the merchandise department.
• Work very closely, and be an integral link between Sales, Art and Production.

Benefits:

• Medical coverage (after mandatory probation period)
• Dental Insurance
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Flex Choice 125 Plan (IRC Section 125 Plan for Employees)
• Profit Sharing and 401K Employer Match Program.


Email Résumé and Cover Letter to hr@5sun.com

Posted by Ashley Eslick