Sewing Project Manager

Tahaddi is a Lebanese NGO established in 2008 whose aim is to empower families facing extreme poverty through the provision of education, health and psychosocial support. Tahaddi principally works in Hay el Gharbeh, an informal settlement in Southern Beirut. We operate a community-based primary care clinic, a psychosocial center, a non-formal education center for children who are not able to access formal education and since 2018 an income generating sewing atelier.

Reports to: Tahaddi Education Director and collaborates closely with the Sewing Program Coordinator (SPC)

Location: Tahaddi Psychosocial Center, Southern Beirut (Hay El Gharbeh)

Work type: Part-time 20 hours per week with some flexibility in the schedule

Position summary: Responsible for marketing sewing products in order to bring in new orders and ensure regular work for 12 to 15 seamstresses. Regularly attend fairs and marketing events, and establish relationships with new buyers.  Explore new product lines, designs and materials. Provide quality control of products prior to the fulfillment of orders. Identify training needs for the seamstresses and arrange for onsite workshops. Manage overall functioning of the atelier.

Qualifications:

• Management experience in the sewing industry is essential
• Skilled seamstress
• Creative and innovative design sense
• Marketing and communication skills
• Time management skills, flexibility and availability to sometimes work on weekends or evenings.
• Self-motivation, ability to take initiatives and work both independently and in a team environment.
• Willingness to work and interact respect fully with persons from economically disadvantaged communities and within basic facilities.
• Adherence to Tahaddi’s core values of justice, integrity and compassion, and ability to work without prejudices.
• Native speaker of Arabic, with fluency in English and/or French.
• Computer proficiency in Word and Excel.

Requirement: a car is required for this position in order to travel to different clients and marketing opportunities.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

Atelier Management

• Manage the team of seamstresses in collaboration with the on-site supervisor and the SPC by organizing the work-flow and inventory in accordance with deadlines.
• Provide clear instructions about the orders with technical specificities, make a sample of the work as necessary.
• Be responsible for close quality control of products
• Identify training needs and arrange for onsite workshops with external trainers as needed  
• Insure the atelier is well arranged and manage the inventory of materials and supplies. Ensure machines are well maintained and functioning optimally.

Marketing  

• Market products and facilitate new orders. Communicate with potential customers such as NGOs, schools, hospitals, stores, designers, urban markets or charity events.
• Negotiate prices with clients considering the atelier’s cost and the seamstress’ income
• Participate in fairs and markets; coordinate volunteers and manage sales and stocks
• In collaboration with the Tahaddi Communication Officer, propose social media posts to market products
• Regularly edit and update the product catalogue
• With the support of supervisor and the SPC, provide tours for visitors to the atelier explaining the project’s objectives 
• Ensure sufficient stocks are available for direct sale to visitors.

Product Development

• Research new products, materials and new designs. Stay up-to-date with the trends both locally and internationally
• In coordination with the SPC, contact suppliers to negotiate prices and cost new products