Fashion Specialist
River & Mara
Localização do trabalho
Lagos
Status de emprego
Tempo total
Detalhes sobre a oferta de trabalho
Fabric Specialist - African Fashion & Prints Specialist
Location: Lagos
Job Type: Full-time
Company Overview:
We are a dynamic and innovative fashion company specializing in
women's wear, with a focus on celebrating African culture through modern, vibrant, and traditional designs. We seek an experienced and creative Fabric Sourcer who possesses extensive knowledge of African fashion, prints, and a variety of regular fabrics. If you have a passion for African-inspired design and fabrics, combined with hands-on experience in women's fashion, this is an exciting opportunity to make an impact.
Job Summary:
We are looking for a seasoned Fabric Sourcer with deep expertise in African fashion, textiles, and prints, who can source high-quality fabrics for our women’s fashion line. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fashion design, an in-depth understanding of African textile traditions, and experience
working with a range of fabrics. This role requires a keen eye for trends, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to work closely with designers to bring their visions to life.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Fabric Sourcing & Procurement:
- Source and procure high-quality African fabrics (Ankara, Kente, Adire, Mudcloth, Aso-Oke etc.) and other relevant fabrics from trusted suppliers.
- Research and source regular fabrics including cotton, silk, chiffon, and other materials suitable for women’s fashion.
- Build and maintain relationships with fabric vendors, manufacturers, and suppliers both locally and internationally.
- Negotiate pricing, delivery timelines, and quality standards with fabric suppliers to ensure cost-effective and timely procurement.
2. Market & Trend Analysis:
- Stay ahead of trends in African fashion and prints, understanding emerging styles, colors, and textiles in the women’s wear segment.
- Provide insights into new and innovative fabrics, prints, and materials that align with the brand's aesthetic and vision.
- Attend fashion trade shows, exhibitions, and fabric markets to discover new sources and maintain up-to-date knowledge of fabric offerings.
3. Collaboration with Design Team:
- Work closely with the fashion design team to ensure fabricselection aligns with the creative direction and design requirements.
- Provide fabric options that enhance the functionality, fit, and style of women’s garments, including dresses, skirts, tops, and more.
- Offer fabric recommendations based on seasonal collections, budget, and production needs.
4. Quality Control & Sustainability:
- Ensure all sourced fabrics meet the company's quality standards in terms of durability, colorfastness, and texture.
- Monitor and uphold ethical and sustainable sourcing practices, prioritizing eco-friendly and socially responsible suppliers when possible.
- Conduct inspections of fabric batches to confirm adherence to specifications before production.
5. Inventory Management:
- Manage fabric inventory, track stock levels, and forecast fabric needs for upcoming collections.
- Collaborate with the production and logistics teams to ensure fabric availability aligns with production schedules.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or related fields.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in fabric sourcing, specifically for African fashion and women’s wear.
- Extensive knowledge of African prints (e.g., Ankara, Kente, Batik) and their cultural significance.
- Strong background in fashion design, particularly in women’s fashion, with a clear understanding of fabric behavior, drape, and performance in garment construction.
- Proven experience working with both traditional African textiles and mainstream fabrics like cotton, silk, and other fashion-forward materials.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills with fabric vendors and suppliers.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Knowledge of sustainable sourcing practices is a plus.
- Ability to travel for fabric sourcing trips when necessary.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunity to work in a creative and dynamic environment that celebrates African heritage.
- Access to industry events and fabric markets.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send their resume, portfolio, and a cover letter detailing their experience with fabric sourcing, African fashion, and women’s fashion to hello@riverandmara.com. Please make sure to be available for an interview as soon as possible as this role is to be filled urgently We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, gender, disability, or any other status
