Apparel Operations Manager - Supply Chain & New Product Development

About HAYA

HAYA offers modest activewear designed specifically for Muslim women, addressing a significant gap where women had to adapt men's athletic wear to feel adequately covered. The brand features over 100 SKUs, works with multiple suppliers, and maintains a product development pipeline extending 12 months ahead. Currently, the founder manages the core system, but this recruitment aims to establish foundational leadership in the operations department.

Role Overview

As the Product & Operations Manager, you will spearhead the operational and product development processes of HAYA’s apparel line. This role provides significant career advancement opportunities as the first hire in a growing department and entails full ownership of systems with tangible impacts on product delivery and quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Executing and managing a 12-month new product development (NPD) calendar.
• Overseeing the entire sampling and approval workflow, from the initial technical packs to final bulk production sign-off.
• Coordinating critical path management across various product styles and seasons simultaneously.
• Collaborating with suppliers to ensure product fit, construction quality, and not only cost and schedule adherence.
• Managing supplier relationships comprehensively including reorder points, purchase orders, freight logistics, third-party logistics, and invoicing.
• Preventing stockouts through effective planning.
• Ensuring punctual product launches.
• Monitoring commercial and financial elements such as margin and cash flow.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 3 to 6 years experience in operations, supply chain management, or new product development within apparel or activewear sectors, which is a mandatory requirement.
• Proven track record of direct engagement with suppliers beyond email correspondence.
• Experience utilizing systematic approaches for tracking critical paths, sampling stages, and reorder thresholds.
• Ability to enforce timelines and negotiate effectively when delays occur.
• Affinity for HAYA’s mission serving Muslim women is a welcome advantage.
• Problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach to issue prevention rather than merely reporting status.

Benefits and Work Arrangement

• Exceptional career growth potential as the foundational hire for the department with opportunities to build and lead a team.
• Meaningful autonomy and ownership of your work with visible real-world effects.
• The opportunity to be part of a brand dedicated to empowering a specific community.
• Flexible working hours with a hybrid model balancing office presence and remote work, including accommodations for religious holidays such as Ramadan and Eid.