HEAD KNITTING R&D

Company Overview:

Our client a leading textile organisation seeks to appoint an experienced professional for the following role:

Job Location: Lahore

Job Role

The Head Knitting R&D will lead and transform the Knitting R&D function driving innovation in knit fabric development and processes while taking full operational and P&L ownership of a large complex plant and workforce. Reporting to the Chief Supply Chain Officer the role will operate as a hands-on independent leader through the current transformation phase partnering closely across functions to translate R&D capability into commercial and operational results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Knitting R&D strategy; develop and commercialize new knit fabric constructions structures and processes aligned with customer and market requirements.
• Manage the innovation pipeline to deliver on time and ensure new developments are successfully adopted into production.
• Lead day-to-day plant operations with full accountability for output quality efficiency and cost; improve efficiency downtime wastage and defect rates against baseline.
• Own or materially influence the Knitting R&D P&L manage cost control resource utilization and investment decisions against budget with year-on-year improvement.
• Lead assigned transformation projects independently from scoping to execution; deliver milestones on schedule and embed sustainable change into ways of working.
• Partner with Merchandising Sourcing Quality Supply Chain and Commercial teams to translate R&D requirements into production-ready outcomes with minimal rework or delay.
• Remain hands-on and present on the plant floor during the transformation phase driving change independently through ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Lead coach and develop a sizeable workforce; build technical and leadership capability succession readiness and team engagement.

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering Textile Business or a related discipline; a Masters degree or MBA will be an advantage.

Experience

12 years of relevant experience including leading a large complex manufacturing plant and a sizeable workforce with demonstrated ownership of or clear exposure to a P&L. Candidates from textile or non-textile manufacturing backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Key Requirements

• Strong command of large-scale plant operations including production quality efficiency and cost fundamentals.
• Sound P&L and commercial acumen with a clear understanding of cost drivers margin and the commercial impact of operational decisions.
• Ability to lead technical and process innovation translating market and customer needs into viable scalable production solutions; textile technical depth is an advantage.
• Proven track record of improving operational performance and independently leading transformation initiatives.
• Strong leadership presence and professional maturity with the ability to influence across functions and with senior leadership.
• Hands-on ownership-driven approach with the resilience to lead through ambiguity and change.