Vietnam, Nhinh Binh | Asia Production Team | Reports to Director, Manufacturing
Who is Allbirds?
At Allbirds, we believe in using business as a force for good. We’re a global footwear and apparel brand with roots in New Zealand and our headquarters in San Francisco. Since 2016, we’ve been on a mission to prove that comfort, design, and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive. Our commitment to creating better things in a better way is fueled by a belief that the fashion industry needs to focus less on flash and more on thoughtfulness. And as a certified B Corp, we’re dedicated to making the most sustainable products we can using premium natural materials - designed for life’s everyday adventures.
* Where we need help
This is a pivotal position, leading the costing team in Vietnam managing global footwear costing, driving long and short term cost saving opportunities to maximize margin , establishing a fact based costing SOP; working closely with cross-functional teams, to drive the long term strategy to strengthen our business through sustainable cost saving.
* What does the job entail?
- Work collaboratively with US Costing, and Finance teams, to inform, drive and facilitate decisions throughout the initial product creation process to deliver increased margin on new product creation using pre-coting tools aligned with Allbirds profitability expectations
- Collaboratively drive continuous improvement in cost reduction, by identifying better ways of working driving efficiency in our processes delivering post costing savings to our bottom line.
- Work closely with Asia PD, Planning, and Manufacturing teams to actively manage cost drivers in the initial Bill of Labor and Bill of Materials, Including detailed review/analysis of documentation and actual manufacturing processes for complete, accurate and optimized product costing.
- Be responsible for managing all costing functions in Centric, keeping these up to date on a daily basis.
- In collaboration with US Costing, bring experience of fact based costing, and costing framework models to contribute to a sustainable and standardized costing model for all products.
- Collaborate with factory partners to capture value through innovation initiatives.
- Support continuous improvement and open and transparent costing across the supply chain.
- Collaborate with VN Costing Engineer (continuous improvement) providing inputs to product costing, raw material prices, material waste impacts, construction/labor costs, and tooling cost and amortization
- Track, analyze and benchmark development overhead costs, including sample drop rates, and sampling charges.
- Build strong partnerships with suppliers, track their performance based on costing accuracy and efficiency , collaborate with T1/T2 suppliers for continuous improvement in development material/sample efficiency.
- In collaboration with US Costing, partner with Planning (SF) and supply chain team on product volume forecasts, identify potential bottlenecks and actively advise on volume discount opportunities
- Track, analyze and benchmark factory development overhead costs
- Document and manage inputs to product costing, such as raw material prices, material waste impacts, construction/labor costs, and tooling cost and amortization
- Partner with product management, material, and development teams through product development cycle and line reviews, to achieve margin goals
- Track and monitor fabric liability on a seasonal basis, and advise best usage plans.
*What are we looking for?
- Passionate about sustainability and making things in a better way
- Low ego and high horsepower, you are continuously seeking improvement processes for Allbirds and for your own development.
- Perpetually curious, always seeking to improve your understanding of Allbirds’ businesses, and identify new opportunities by questioning assumptions and taking the initiative to solve problems
- Entrepreneurial, self-directed and resourceful, you thrive in a highly dynamic, and unstructured environment, and never hesitate to get things done.
- 2-5 + years experience working at a premium footwear brand
- Commercial and analytical mindset
- Proficiency in Excel.
- Strong price negotiation skills and impeccable integrity
- Technical experience and knowledge of product construction and manufacturing methods
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a fast-paced, cross-cultural, and cross-functional environment
- Fluent in English spoken and written
- Able to influence at all levels of an organization, and vendor base.
- Able to work independently with minimal direction.
- High learning agility, to implement processes across footwear and apparel.
- Exceptional analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Ability to work under pressure, meet established timelines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to travel domestically
Nice to Have
- Bachelor's degree in Management, Business, Engineering or related field preferred.
- Understanding of Materials Development process.
- Understanding of Centric or other PLM systems
- Proficient use of Microsoft Excel
- Strong project management background
- Demonstrated success in the management of people and very strong leadership skills.
- Excellent written/verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Strong analytical, numerical and reasoning abilities; problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
- Ability to identify areas of improvement, and create project plans for continuous improvement.
- Proven relationship builder, creating open and transparent vendor relationships and accountability across the T1, and T2 vendor base.
- Mandarin speaker a bonus!
Education requirements
- BS or above in Engineering, management, or business, or industry experience equivalent.
What do we offer?
- Competitive salary
- Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Fitness benefits
- Free shoes
- Pup friendly office!
Diversity