Job Description

General Summary:

Facilitate trims development and color approval status (lab dips and APS) and make sure the materials are commercialized and Buy Ready for Salesman Sample and Bulk production in order to meet CSC seasonal development calendar and delivery goals.

___________________________________________________

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Execute seasonal trims development and color requests and make sure aesthetic, functional and color approvals adhere to seasonal development calendar. Conduct material and color (lab dips and APS) approval (including self-approved colors), performance evaluation of vendors, and ensuring all developments and colors meet specified Columbia Sportswear quality specs.
  • Vendor Management: Build and maintain positive working relationship with vendors, including daily communication, regular vendor on-site audit for reviewing and discussing material development and color procedures. Regular assessment of each supplier’s capabilities and limitations and actively seeking their input/suggestion to resolve issues. Conduct seasonal meetings with vendors to review development and color KPI.
  • Data Management: Issue requests and keep all tracking tools accurate and updated within given seasonal timelines, including issuing development and lab dip requests, tracking submissions, maintaining accurate PDM and Datacolor Tools records, and maintaining local approval history files
• Actively communicate with upstream and downstream partners to ensure most current information is released and all parties understand expectations and be the subject expert within Liaison Office structure as established by CSC.
  • Upstream partners Material Research team in home office
  • Downstream partners: Raw material suppliers, LO MR team, CSC QA
• Cross-functional teams: Participate as needed in performance reviews and work with MR, MP, and MQE on any quality and color issues. Develop process improvement plan and help to implement corrective actions.
• Stay abreast of seasonal trims material market price trends and leverage them for the pricing of new developments. Pricing data must be on time and accurate.
• Assist LO MR and Color teams when necessary on fact finding, special projects, and miscellaneous issues that are relevant to trims.

___________________________________________________

Minimum Educational/Experience Requirements:

• College or University graduate in apparel/textile design, technology, merchandising, or a related field with coursework directly related to trims development and color
• Five years of working experience as a colorist or in a closely related field, at least 3 years of experience in the textiles or apparel field including three years in materials development/materials laboratory or color-related experience.
• Knowledge in textile construction, yarn, fiber, dyeing, and finishing
• Knowledge in apparel and development process is necessary
• Knowledge in color theory, color measurement for quality assurance, color analyzing instruments and dyestuffs, AATCC, ASTM, ISO test methods is helpful
• Possess visual acuity for analyzing color as determined by a standard color vision test
• Strong organizational skills, keen attention to details, and ability to handle multiple priorities
• Creative problem-solving skill is a must
• Able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Able to negotiate/persuade both upstream and downstream partners
• Possess written and spoken English skills
• Sensitive, self-motivated, creative, and good team player

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.