Vacancies: Shima Seiki APEX3 Programmer and Product Manager at Barrie Knitwear

Location: Hawick, Scotland

Hawick is the original home of cashmere. © Barrie Knitwear

Barrie Knitwear Limited is a historic manufacturer of premium cashmere. Our business heritage dates back to the turn of the 20th century when two local entrepreneurs Walter Barrie and Robert Kersel opened a factory in Hawick to manufacture the finest knitted hosiery and underwear.

In addition to creating Barrie’s own collection the company specialises in developing and producing cashmere products for many of the world’s most prestigious couture houses.

This is an exciting time for Barrie as we continue to expand and transform with significant investment and development in our own house brand.

We are looking for Shima Programmers and a Product Manager to join our team in Hawick, situated in the beautiful Borders region of Scotland.

What’s it like to live and work in the Borders?

As the original home of cashmere, Hawick is extremely proud of its heritage and traditions. Combine this with our state-of-the-art knitting facilities at our site and this gives you a work opportunity to feel excited about. When it comes to lifestyle, we are really proud of what the local area has to offer there too, with good value house prices and beautiful towns and countryside to choose from.

In the Borders, we really do believe there is something for everyone and for those of who love city life, the vibrant cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle are all within reach.

Step into the Scottish Borders

Interested? Then take a look at the job descriptions below and then get in touch with us at [email protected] outlining why you would be a great fit for one of these roles. Your CV and a letter telling us a bit more about you is all we need.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Hawick is extremely proud of its heritage and traditions. © Barrie Knitwear

Who are we looking for as one of our Product Managers…

As an experienced Product Manager, you’ll be responsible for the product approval process, product quality, cost efficiency and works with planning to ensure adherence to product schedule.

You’ll also have responsibility for the execution throughout the product lifecycle, including: gathering and prioritising product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with internal colleagues in development and industrial functions to ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met.  

The kind of responsibilities you’ll have include…

• Liaising with the design team and client market to ensure the product meets overall strategy.
• Liaising with the design team internally to manage product innovation.
• Collating all the customer design documentation and ensure all requirements are included in the internal product requirements documents.
• Working in partnership with quality team colleagues to ensure process and product excellence.
• Managing all customer approvals before general production.
• Ensuring the desired silhouette is achieved through liaising and coordinating internally and externally the customer fitting process.
• Developing the product technical specification and work instructions to ensure it is correct prior to production.
• Establishing the measures and streamline the relevant processes before the general production of a style.
• Driving best practice techniques to achieve year on year KPI improvements in meeting cost, quality, service and delivery targets.
• Maintaining excellent working relationships with key internal / external customers
• Fostering a working environment and business culture which encourages "continuous improvement" throughout the business
• Running beta and pilot programs with early-stage products and samples.
• Being a product “expert” with respect to internal and competitor capabilities.

Who you will report to?

The Production Director

We want to hear from you if…

• You have a sound knowledge of knitwear and confection processes in the luxury garment and global high fashion context and environment
• You hold a degree-level qualification or as appropriate in a relevant discipline
• You have a minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Product Manager
• You’re able to quantify how you have successfully demonstrated product industrialisation and launch processes
• You have developed good communication, presentation, interpersonal and influencing skills as this role involves extensive engagement with colleagues at a peer level.
• You understand and embrace technology and keeps up to date with technology innovation relevant to the industry.
• You are capable of driving change, providing fresh thinking and an alternative perspective both proactively and reactively as the situation arises.
• You are always engaged with industry leading practices and ensuring the best standards are implemented in Barrie Knitwear.
• You are a strong organisational and project management skills.
• You are able to bring solutions, manage challenge and implement change, willing to consider calculated risk
• You are an effective collaborator, navigating internal challenges with skill and diplomacy.
• You are self-motivated, flexible, able to work on own initiative and under pressure
• You are prepared to travel at times in line with business requirements                                                                                                             

What’s on offer for the right person?

• A highly competitive salary
• Working on site at our premises in Burnfoot industrial estate with free parking facilities on site and near local bus routes.
• Some great benefits e.g. generous pension scheme, death in service, discounted local gym membership, recently refurbished on site facilities for all employees 
• The opportunity to work for one of Scotland’s leading premium cashmere manufacturers supplying couture cashmere garments to prestigious fashion houses such as Chanel and Hermes.
• The chance to live and work in the beautiful Scottish Borders offering a great work/life balance and high quality of life

To apply please email your CV and covering letter to [email protected] outlining why you would be a great fit for this role.

Scottish Borders boasts beautiful towns and countryside. © Barrie Knitwear

Who are we looking for as one of our Shima Programmers…

As an experienced programmer, you’ll have the ability to use the Shima Seiki Apex system to develop and grade new styles with a high degree of accuracy and measurement.

If you also have line writing experience this would be beneficial, however not essential, as we have specialist line writers in our wider team.

You’ll have a great eye for detail and you will enjoy taking responsibility for making sure that all the knitting specifications we that is produced gives the highest quality standards in line with our customers’ expectations.

The kind of responsibilities you’ll have include…

• Working in either our Development or Industrialisation Programming team, you will bring a creativity and flair in your approach to programming
• The ability to interpret ideas and designs and translate these into practical programmes, working alongside our Design & Product Managers
• Skilled at preparing the most effective programme to meet the customers’ product requirements, including liaison with the appropriate internal stakeholders
• Commitment to achieving tight deadlines to make sure that submissions and production targets are met
• Making sure that quality standards are achieved throughout the development and industrialisation processes, whilst being as efficient and productive as possible
• Liaising with the Shima Knitting Operators to ensure that the products are knitted accurately and meet our very high quality expectations
• Alongside the Shima mechanic support team, provide trouble shooting expertise and resolution to any potential operational challenges that the operators cannot resolve on their own

Who you will report to?

Our Production Knitting Process Manager

We want to hear from you if…

• You have previous experience in Shima Programming and using your creativity and flair to deliver high quality programming solutions
• You have good skills in organising and planning and are happy both working on your own initiative when required as well as enjoying being part of a team both in programming and working really well with other teams across the business
• You are passionate about embracing new technology developments and have high curiosity to explore how to make the most of the opportunities technology provides
• You are an articulate communicator who is capable of adapting your style to influence and engage at all organisational levels
• You have a proactive attitude to technical problem solving

What’s on offer for the right person?

• A highly competitive salary
• Working on site at our premises in Burnfoot industrial estate with free parking facilities on site and near local bus routes.
• Some great benefits e.g. generous pension scheme, death in service, discounted local gym membership, recently refurbished on site facilities for all employees 
• All sorts of core hours (early and late shifts) Monday to Friday with the opportunity to work overtime at weekends in line with business needs
• The opportunity to work for one of Scotland’s leading premium cashmere manufacturers supplying couture cashmere garments to prestigious fashion houses such as Chanel and Hermes.
• The chance to live and work in the beautiful Scottish Borders offering a great work/life balance and high quality of life

To apply please email your CV and covering letter to [email protected] outlining why you would be a great fit for this role.

www.barrie.com