Sampling & Production Manager for Turquoise Mountain, Afghanistan

Turquoise Mountain is a non-profit, non-governmental organization specializing in urban regeneration, business development, and education in traditional arts and architecture. We seek to provide jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of pride to Afghan men and women. Since 2006 Turquoise Mountain has cleared 35,000 cubic meters of rubbish from the streets, restored or rebuilt 120 historic and community buildings, created a primary school and a clinic, and installed water, electricity and sanitation through the historic traditional craft neighborhood of Murad Khani in the old city of Kabul. It has created the internationally-accredited Institute for Afghan Arts & Architecture, training the next generation of craftsmen and women in woodwork, jewelry and gem cutting, calligraphy and miniature painting, and ceramics. Finally, it has sold over US$ 5,000,000 of Afghan artisan products internationally


Vacancy Number: 02-1217-TM
Length of Contract: 1 year
Salary: Based on salary scale and experience
Base: Kabul - Full time


Key Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Business Development, the Sampling and Production Manager will be responsible for supporting the sales growth of Turquoise Mountain in Kabul through project and team management in the following areas:


1) Sample Development
• Manage sample requests and new product inquiries from buyers to support sales in acquiring new orders
• Work with international designers and retailers in producing new and existing product lines for ceramics, calligraphy, woodwork and more
• Act as liaison between Design Centre Manager and international designers and retailers in designing new and existing product lines for jewelry
• Working closely with Head of Business Development, research product and market trends to provide designers with ideas and suggestions for new products
• Prepare design/product slide presentations of product ideas to clients
• Supervise sampling, making approvals on the design and quality of each sample


2) Production and Order Fulfillment
• Work closely with Sales Department to ensure order fullfillment
• Supervise the timely delivery, proper packaging and quality control of all orders, ensuring that orders meet client's quality standards
• With a staff of five, ensure that cost sheets, spec sheets, and other paperwork for production are generated properly
• Working with individual craft technicians, be ultimately responsible for quality control and quality assurance of products.  Develop more sophisticated and structured systems for this quality control process


3) Management
• Managing a staff of five, be responsible for the performance supervision of the Production and Product Development team in Kabul


4) Liaising with International Designers and Communication
• Manage all client relations through timely and professional communication.
• Be the 'on the ground' coordinator for International Designer collaborations, communicating and advising the designer as designs are produced, samples are made, cost sheets are drawn up


Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience required
• Bachelors in a relevant field is required, as is a Masters or its equivalent in industry experience
• Minimum 8 years of experience managing sampling and production for international market
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing a team
• Experience either in fashion, interior design, or crafts is preferred
• Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or other design software preferred
• Ability to manage a diverse team, and solve problems energetically and with a sense of humour
• Excellent communication skills in English, and fluency in Hindi or Pashto/Dari is a necessity
• Self-starter, commercially-minded, committed, flexible and energetic.


Interested candidates should email resume and cover letter to both stacy@turquoisemountain.org and waheedullah@turquoisemountain.org




Recruiter Name:Stacy Chong


Company:Turquoise Mountain
Address:Murad Khani, Kabul, Afghanistan
Website:http://www.turqupoisemountain.org
Telephone:+93 796593757