Head of Operations - India

 At Pivot, we are driven by our vision to become the smartest apparel organization in the world. Our mission centers on perpetual innovation and value optimization, guiding customers to the smartest path. We believe that to successfully execute our mission, we need talented individuals who can embody our core values; Commitment to Craftsmanship, Diligence in our Deliveries and Deeds, Innovation in our approach and Synergy in what we do. We aim to unlock brand potential, diversify sourcing and supply chain, and collaborate globally for high-quality products to become the industry experts in product development.

Job Summary:

Pivot Apparel is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to head our India operations. The Head of India Operations will be a pivotal figure in executing our key strategic initiatives, driving growth by leveraging India-based resources. This role demands a leader who can ensure seamless cross-functional coordination with our NYC headquarters while overseeing product development, managing a talented team, and upholding operational excellence. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong background in the apparel industry, capable of leading the India office to achieve Pivot’s long-term goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. India Office Leadership & Strategic Alignment:

·        Lead and inspire the India team in alignment with Pivot’s long-term strategic objectives, with a sharp focus on cost-effective resource allocation and operational efficiency.

·        Serve as the primary liaison between the India office and the NYC leadership, ensuring clear and consistent communication.

·        Drive alignment with the leadership team on organizational structure, operational processes, and team strategy through regular and proactive engagement.

2. Monthly Product Development:

·        Oversee the end-to-end creation and delivery of Discounter samples and lines to our NYC office, complete with all operational documentation, including Tech Packs, PLM setup, and costing.

·        Collaborate closely with the Product Development team to establish and nurture reliable sourcing partners and negotiate favorable trade terms.

·        Guarantee the consistent quality and timely delivery of all product samples.

3. PLM Management & Optimization:

·        Ensure all tasks related to the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system are completed with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness for each monthly line.

·        Support the execution of sketching, CADs, and AI file preparation to alleviate the workload of the NYC team.

·        Partner with the PLM team to identify and onboard additional India-based PLM activities, enhancing efficiency.

4. Print Development & Archiving:

·        Lead the team in the development of original prints, utilizing mill resources, store-bought inspirations, and innovative internal concepts.

·        Oversee the maintenance and expansion of our digital print archive within the PLM system for future use and as a client-facing asset.

·        Drive innovation in print creation to support a faster and more cost-effective design turnaround.

5. Sourcing Strategy Development:

·        Collaborate with the CEO to formalize and expand our network of vendor relationships.

·        Establish and cultivate long-term vendor partnerships in India and smoothly transition execution responsibilities to the Product Development team post-development.

6. Business Integration:

·        Conduct a thorough analysis of the business workflows to identify opportunities for the India team to assume functions currently handled by the NYC office.

·        Play a key role in designing a comprehensive transition plan for the full ownership of operational tasks by the India team.

7. Finance Team Support:

·        Support the development and expansion of the finance function within the India office in collaboration with the local Finance Manager.

·        Coordinate with the CFO to design an effective finance structure that is in alignment with the growth objectives of our NYC headquarters.

8. Quality Assurance (QA) & Quality Control (QC):

·        Establish and implement robust QA/QC procedures across all product categories developed in India.

·        Monitor factory-level quality practices with the assistance of a QC Manager to ensure strict adherence to Pivot’s standards for fit, construction, fabric, and trims.

·        Coordinate with our NYC and CG teams to promptly resolve any quality issues prior to shipment.

·        Create and implement systems for feedback loops between the development and production stages to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications and Skills:

·        Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the apparel or fashion industry.

·        Global travel experience is a plus.

·        Bachelors degree in Fashion or related field

·        Strong understanding of product development, sourcing, and manufacturing processes.

·        Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a cross-functional team.

·        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with international teams.

·        Proficiency with PLM systems and other relevant industry software.

·        Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

·        Experience in financial management and budgeting is highly desirable.

·        A keen eye for design, quality, and market trends