Embellishment Manager

KEY Apparel is a clothing company located in Fort Scott, Kansas.  Key’s focus is on work, industrial and outdoor related apparel.  Key is looking for an Embellishment Manager to join our team in our Custom Embellishment Shop (embroidery / print) Department.  This position will be responsible for managing the design and production of graphics on apparel and other items per customer specific orders. Additionally, this position will work with embroidery, heat transfer, direct-to-film and screen-printing equipment and processes.    This person must be comfortable in and able to navigate an entrepreneurial environment and must be willing and able to shift between strategy and execution daily.
 
Successful Candidate Attributes:
A successful candidate will take the time to learn about Key’s products and place within the marketplace, understand its competitors and Key’s value proposition, demonstrate good judgement and project management skills to balance priorities.  A candidate should be professional and articulate, have positive energy, have excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and must be able to effectively use independent judgement to plan, prioritize, and organize a diversified workload.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Must gain knowledge and become proficient in the use of DecoNetwork and NetSuite and have a basic working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Excel and Outlook;
  • Must continue to develop, maintain and employ all department Standard Operating Procedures;
  • Must learn or have existing experience with all production embellishment techniques and applications (i.e. Screen Print, Heat Press, Direct to Film, Embroidery, Alterations, Engraving, Quality Control and Embellishment file formats);
  • Must have or gain familiarity with all Key Apparel products and their construction to better understand embellishment opportunities and limitations;
  • Must have or gain practical working experience with Embroidery Digitizing and Graphics separation software;
  • Analyze and manage daily workflow and performance of the Custom Shop personnel, Graphic Designers, and Digitizers;
  • Directly responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining embellishment schedule to meet or exceed customers’ deadlines;
  • Review design requests to ensure the correct embellishment type can be properly decorated onto Key Apparel products and develop and test new types of embellishment processes to apply to garments and other items;
  • Responsible for outsourcing art/digitizing design when work volume exceeds capacity
  • Evaluate work performance of each team member;
  • Directly coordinate with customers on advanced technical embellishment needs and consultations;
  • Oversee and responsible for the graphics database for all art files and proofs;
  • Responsible for communicating any production issues or delays and developing alternative processes to avoid delays where possible;
  • Work in collaboration with colleagues across all departments;
  • Assist employees in solving work related issues, providing employee guidance/direction, counsel and motivation;
  • Perform and document employee’s performance review process with input to management;
  • Ability to adapt to a swiftly changing production environment;
  • Build an environment that fosters employee retention and job satisfaction;
  • Performs other duties and tasks as assigned;

• Previous work experience in a screen print or embroidery company preferred;
• Have hands-on working knowledge of embroidery, heat press, direct to film, and screen print machines;
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience in a production environment;
• Basic computer / keyboard knowledge is required. Must have or acquire functional knowledge of company ERP (NetSuite) and the Custom Shop production management solution DecoNet. Competent working knowledge of embroidery software and Adobe Creative Suite applications.