Manager - Research & Development

Manager-Research & Development

(Based at MAS Intimates,Rathmalana)

MAS Intimates, the largest division of MAS Holdings, provides design and manufacturing solutions for leading global lingerie brands. With design hubs in Hong Kong, London, and Sri Lanka, and manufacturing facilities across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Kenya, it offers a diverse product portfolio, including bras, briefs, shapewear, performance wear, sleepwear, and wearable tech. Intimates’ customers include Victoria’s Secret, Gap, and Calvin Klein. The division's innovation teams collaborate with universities and experts to deliver consumer-driven, technology-led solutions.

Empower transformation by becoming a driving force of change at MAS as we are on the lookout for a dedicated individual to join MAS Intimates. This role would enable you to oversee and lead the generation of technological solutions for all of Intimates by demonstrating an in-depth understanding of contributing variables, identify and drive proposals through compelling communication and collaboration with internal / external partners based on current development methods to meet the organizational objectives in a timely and profitable manner.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee technology products developed for all accounts and give direction on the manufacturing feasibility, possible risk factors and other technical challenges
• Provide technical solutions by addressing needs from front-end teams (customer, business teams, design pods, central, and intimates innovation) and driving the adoption of new technologies or garment constructions developed by the team to support and achieve revenue targets from technological garments.
• Lead and guide the team to achieve most effective method of technology products constructions, working with relevant stakeholders to create garments that are in alignment with the design intent and in accordance to the product development process, and ensure that bonding specifications are incorporated into the relevant parameter settings etc.
• Spearhead projects that span across Intimates and involve working with cross functional teams to ensure newness, best processes and technology solutions/ platforms are implemented to support the achievement of set objectives.
• Lead, guide and Oversee the sample room operations in order to ensure on time delivery of all products whilst maintaining garment quality.
• Lead the team to ensure the Critical Path is followed to ensure customer requirements are met on timely manner.
• Ensure accurate tech packs and SOPs are sent on time to the plants ensuring manufacturability.
• Work with pre-production/production teams to transfer the product development knowledge into bulk production in an effective manner via accurate documentations and in relevant meetings & forums, to facilitate the expected production performance.
• Work in collaboration with the plant to resolve escalated issues by studying the root cause of the current issue, conducting failure analysis, and providing viable technological solutions so as to provide continuous support to the bulk team until product is completed..
• Ensure sure accurate product related information are shared on time during factory engagement points for technology product risk assessments (DRA, PDRA, FI) and provide production feasible solutions for manufacturing challenges.
• Proactively understand technology requirements of new projects and growth platforms and develop innovative approaches in solving technological challenges to generate meaningful resolutions.
• Take lead and pitch proposals to customers – analysing the customer/brand’s business objectives, propose a product solution with its value propositions to create business opportunities.
• Consistently collaborate with the Design and Innovation teams on the appropriate solution and value proposition in order to drive objective delivery in a timely & compelling manner.
• Be up to date on adoptable technology and identify potential partners to work with in a collaborative manner to ensure optimal productivity
• Be proactive and identify required technology platforms using appropriate methods to deliver formidable technological venture proposals
• Facilitate and coordinate on the job training for the subordinates, Technical teams and cross functional teams.
• Organize and conduct trainings across all MAS Intimates plants to ensure proper knowledge transfer and skill level enhancing on Bonding related areas.
• Ensuring operation standards are maintained by conducting audits on internal and subcontracting plants.
• Nurture and develop potential talent within the team by connecting with Senior management and HR to identify appropriate training plans in order to enhance their skills and to ensure a steady succession pipeline is maintained.
• Efficiently manage bonding sample room related machinery, manpower and other resource overheads with the budgeted overheads.

Qualifications:

• B.sc in Chemical & Process engineering or Mechanical/ Textile/ Manufacturing or material science
• More than 5 years of Industry related experience 
• Expert knowledge in Bonding, ultra-sonic, laser other related technologies 
• Expert knowledge in technological product development and wearable tech integration Average knowledge on pattern and constructions 
• Exposure to MOS, lean related principles Advanced language and computer literacy