Digital Cost Engineering Lead

Position Details

Title: Digital Cost Engineering Lead

Department: Sourcing, Carhartt Korea

Reports to: Director of Sourcing, Asia

Location: Seoul South Korea

Job Classification: Onsite

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Band: Professional

Job Summary

The Digital Cost Engineering Lead is responsible to develop and manage ICE costing, validate vendor costing across Asia, and utilize advanced digital technology to validate supplier marker consumption as a key cost input.  This role works closely with finished goods and raw material sourcing to ensure seasonal development targets are achievable. The Digital Cost Engineering Lead will maintain all cost records and manage cost analysis for all vendors across Asia. This position leads the strategic alignment of Asia costing and cost builds from vendors. Building and maintaining relationships with product creation, design, fabric development, quality, planning, and other Carhartt departments is key.

Associate Responsibilities

Develop pre-season ICE costing process and manage costing to inform of raw material cost range and Global sourcing achievability of target cost.

Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of textiles and apparel manufacturing techniques as it relates to the assigned area of responsibility including researching and traveling to vendors as needed and evaluating costing opportunities.

Utilizing CLO and pattern making experience evaluate mini-makers and nested patterns from suppliers to validate raw material usages. 

Build a robust a la carte menu of wash and finishing costs, garment construction costs, sub-component assembly to provide to Global Sourcing and PD teams to assist in pre-season cost build-ups.

Work cross functionally to validate seasonal costing with Directors and Merchandisers. 

Maintain all Asia vendor cost records including FOB comparisons by season and vendor.

Analyze opportunities for cost improvement either by construction techniques, raw material supply or garment supply.

Manage all Asia vendor cost sheets by season for Sr Manager Sourcing Ops to use for SAP validation.

In coordination with Directors, communicate all approved seasonal costing to Dearborn cost team for financial review.

Work with internal partners to develop and implement process improvements that optimize supplier costing.

Demonstrate ownership with product being developed and produced.  Make and own decisions when appropriate to the job level, recognizing which issues to elevate and communicate at higher levels.

Travel with assigned business units on seasonal development trips and assist in vendor cost negotiations based upon cost engineering opportunities.

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in textiles, apparel, operations, supply chain, or related field; or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree.

Required Skills & Experience

Minimum of 5 years of direct experience in global sourcing of apparel required.  Extensive knowledge of garment costing, or cost engineering.

In depth knowledge of CLO and pattern making

Fluent in both writing and speaking English, and Korean.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in MS Word, Excel, SAP, and Outlook.

Time Management and proven track record of problem solving and strong analytical expertise, including data mining, reporting and ability to monitor key performance metrics.

Must be able to work independently

Knowledge of Carhartt product

Clear understanding of supplier network for assigned area

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Typical office environment; cubicle/office setting. Extended periods of time sitting, standing, typing on a computer.

Light lifting may be required. 10 LBS.

Willing to work some weekends as necessary.

International travel required (up to 20%). Must have or be eligible to obtain a passport.

This position has an On-Site location: Associate will work on-site for all work-related activities.

Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.