We are seeking an organized and detail-oriented Retail Production Coordinator with expertise in garment production and sourcing to manage the end-to-end production process of our in-house apparel range, The Wimbledon Collection. The ideal candidate will be responsible for coordinating the production of apparel from design through to delivery, ensuring all garments meet quality standards, deadlines, and budget requirements. The role requires a strong understanding of garment sourcing, supplier management, and retail trends, as well as excellent project management skills.

Background

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Championships) Limited (AELTC) organises and stages The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships.

The Retail & Merchandising Team at the AELTC has delivered substantial top line growth in recent years, in part owing to the success of our in-house apparel & accessories collections.  The retail business forms part of the wider Commercial & Marketing Department and works closely with numerous other functional areas in that regard.

Retail at the AELTC comprises both our year-round business at the Museum Shop and during the Championships, the operation of four major stores and seven express stores. The Championships team grows 350+ staff, welcoming over half a million guests across fourteen days.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

• Production Coordination: Manage the production workflow for garments, ensuring all stages from design, sampling, sourcing, and final production are executed on time and within budget.
• Sourcing Expertise: Source fabric, trims, and materials in accordance with design specifications, production requirements, and cost targets. Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure timely deliveries.
• Vendor Management: Collaborate with domestic and international suppliers, negotiating costs, timelines, and terms of agreements to optimize production efficiency. Occasional travel, meeting with our suppliers and manufacturers in UK, Europe, and Far East will be required.
• Quality Control: Ensure all garments meet the company’s quality standards through detailed inspection processes, including pre-production and post-production checks.
• Timeline Management: Develop and monitor production timelines to ensure on-time delivery of all products to the retail stores. Communicate effectively with internal teams to manage expectations and resolve any issues.
• Cost Management: Monitor production costs and ensure that they align with the budget. Work closely with finance and procurement teams to track costs, optimize spending, and maintain profitability. Manage the commercial impact of alterations to garment specifications.
• Sampling and Prototyping: Oversee the sampling process, ensuring prototypes meet design expectations and adjusting as necessary. Provide feedback on fit, quality, and material selection.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with design, merchandising, and marketing teams to ensure that the final product meets the retail brand’s aesthetic, performance, and pricing strategy.
• Logistics and Distribution: Coordinate with third-party and internal logistics teams to ensure timely shipping, warehousing, and distribution of finished products to stores or distribution centres.
• Trend Awareness: Stay updated with market trends, garment manufacturing techniques, and sourcing innovations to ensure competitive edge in production capabilities and garment styles.
• Photoshoot Coordination: Collation of samples, production of shoot lists and on-day coordination of models and stylists, supporting the delivery of annual ecommerce photoshoots.

The Championships

The candidate will work as part of the wider retail function to ensure the smooth running and operation of the retail and merchandise experience at The Championships. This will require extra and different responsibilities in the period between May and July each year and a commitment to unsocial hours at some times during this period. In particular, the candidate will participate in the recruitment and training of relevant groups.

The Retail department also advises the Championships Operations department on the provision of staff uniform. As a separate task, the candidate will be responsible for the production and supply to site of any items sourced by Retail in this respect.

Person Specification

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Production, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in garment production, sourcing, or a related role within the retail industry.
• Strong knowledge of garment manufacturing processes, including sourcing, pattern making, fabric selection, and quality control.
• Experience working with international vendors, understanding global sourcing trends, and managing production across multiple regions.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop would be beneficial
• Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on quality and cost management.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic retail environment.
• Familiarity with sustainability practices in garment production and sourcing.
• Experience with managing a product’s lifecycle from concept to retail floor.
• Multilingual abilities are a plus for global supplier management.

Why Join Us:

We offer a dynamic and fast-paced environment where innovation is encouraged, and your contributions will have a direct impact on the success of our retail operations. You will have the opportunity to work alongside a talented team dedicated to delivering high-quality, trend-forward products to our customers.