At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and production for sustainable activewear, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: TALA is a fast-growing, sustainable women's activewear brand founded by Grace Beverley.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, a clothing allowance, and a vibrant startup culture in central London.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team disrupting fast fashion with eco-friendly, high-performance designs.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in sourcing/production, preferably in activewear, with strong ESG commitment.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment, with opportunities for hands-on involvement and growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
TALA, a digital-first sustainably made women’s activewear company, has been on a rocket ship since its founding in 2019 by Fitness Entrepreneur Grace Beverley. Scaled on amazing organic social traction, we’ve matured into a business with a multi-faceted performance marketing strategy across multiple channels. Off the back of our success, we’ve raised funds with world class venture capital and are in a period of extraordinary growth.
This full time role is the perfect opportunity for a Sourcing Manager experienced in performance fabrics, knitwear and beyond, to make their mark within a fast-paced, scaling business. In this role, you will lead TALA Sourcing & Production working across all product categories developing our Supply Base in line with our Strategy. You will work closely across the product team but will be a self starter and good at working independently.
Tasks
Day to day you will:
- Be accountable for the quality, timeliness and cost of production from ideation through to final customer
- Continuously review current supplier base taking a strategic and practical eye to areas for improvement and expansion
- Future proof and develop the supplier base for scale
- Guard the quality and timeliness of production
- Work across the full life cycle of the seasonal critical path, first planning production, then supporting on sample reviews and approvals, and through to the management of bulk and in warehouse QC
- Anticipate and supports expansion into new product areas at both long and short horizons
- Continuously optimise for product costs, through increasing degrees of sophistication from cross costing to scale, open costing, pattern optimization and beyond
- Maintain a supplier base which Is consistent with our commitment to ESG across the supply chain and organisation including up to date audits, certifications, inspections
- Support the operations supply chain with production of packaging, tags etc consistent with our standards
- Take ownership of finding new suppliers for both the core business and new product areas
- Manage the onboarding process of new suppliers in line with TALA manual
- Ensure materials are suitable for their end use through wearer trials, reviewing the fabric specifications and approving the test reports
- Build strong relationships across the supply base. Including through factory visits
- Lead the Garment Tech and Production team
Requirements
You will bring:
- A minimum of 7 year’s Sourcing and Production experience, preferably within Activewear or other performance categories
- Demonstrable experience managing an evolving and optimising supplier base whilst a company scales
- Experience managing a team
- A track record of production excellence in timeliness, quality, esg standards, and costs
- Passion for ESG a sense of mission to minimise the fashion footprint
- Ideally have experience / knowledge with Seamless Product
- Knowledge of working with environmentally conscious materials and production standards
- An in depth understanding of yarns and fabric types and their properties
- Be comfortable working in a startup environment: working lean and quickly, being hands on and willing to get your hands dirty, working well both autonomously and collaboratively
- Ability to work from our London office every week
Benefits
What we can offer:
- Competitive compensation package
- Fun, startup working culture
- A sense of mission, and contribution to the greater good
- Clothing allowance and discount on the best athleisure in the game
- Beautiful and bright offices in a historic building in central London (near Vauxhall) with other startups on site
About us:
Our shopping habits are driven by global powerhouse fast fashion brands, churning out hundreds of thousands of cheap clothes every day, telling us we must shop and wear the latest styles.
TALA is the brand you always knew you wanted but could never quite find – sustainable activewear and athleisure styles at competitive prices without the need to compromise on high-performance designs and flattering fits. TALA is here to disrupt the industry and demand change with wardrobe staples and on-trend pieces, making conscious shopping choices easier for everyone.
TALA was founded in May 2019 by entrepreneur Grace Beverley to disrupt the fast fashion and activewear industries after years of working in the space. TALA, conceptualised on pillars of sustainability, inclusivity, and accessibility, creates sustainable styles at competitive prices without the need to compromise on performance, design or fit.
We are TALA. Performance fashion you will feel good in and good about.
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Head of Sourcing & Production London, United Kingdom Employee (London) employer: Tala
Contact Detail:
Tala Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Sourcing & Production London, United Kingdom Employee (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with TALA's mission and values, especially their commitment to sustainability and ESG standards. This will not only help you align your experience with their goals but also demonstrate your passion for the brand during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the activewear and sustainable fashion communities. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with professionals who may have insights into TALA's culture and hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've optimised supplier bases in previous roles. Highlight your experience with performance fabrics and any innovative strategies you've implemented to improve production quality and efficiency.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing to talk about your experience managing teams. Be ready to share how you've fostered collaboration and driven results in fast-paced environments, as this is crucial for the Head of Sourcing & Production role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Sourcing & Production London, United Kingdom Employee (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in sourcing and production, particularly within activewear or performance categories. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements in managing supplier bases and ensuring production excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for sustainability and ESG standards. Discuss how your values align with TALA's mission and provide insights into your experience with environmentally conscious materials and production processes.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since the role involves managing a team, emphasise your leadership experience. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles, focusing on your ability to foster collaboration and drive results.
Highlight Problem-Solving Abilities: TALA is looking for someone who can anticipate challenges and find solutions. Include examples in your application that showcase your strategic thinking and ability to optimise production processes, especially in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tala
✨Showcase Your Sourcing Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in sourcing and production, especially within activewear or performance categories. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed supplier bases and improved production processes.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Sustainability
TALA is committed to ESG standards, so it's crucial to express your passion for sustainability. Share any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that align with environmentally conscious practices in sourcing and production.
✨Prepare for Team Leadership Questions
As a potential leader of the Garment Tech and Production team, be ready to discuss your management style and how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think of examples where you fostered collaboration and achieved production excellence.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with TALA's mission and values. During the interview, convey how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding sustainability and innovation in the fashion industry. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.