Job Description

ELITE Clothing Solutions

Location:

Ebbw Vale (with travel across South Wales / regional clients)

Hours:

35.5 per week

Salary:

35,021 - 36,944 (or aligned to your pay-scale)
Driving licence & access to own vehicle essential

Do you want to lead an enterprise that makes a difference and drives growth?

ELITE Clothing Solutions is more than a garment factory - it is a Welsh social enterprise providing bespoke clothing, uniforms, workwear and PPE while creating job and training opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged people.

We're looking for someone with the energy, commercial drive and strategic mindset to lead our manufacturing and service operations to the next level.

The Role

As our Enterpise Manager you'll have full responsibility for the running and strategic development of ECS. You'll need to be both operationally strong and strategically minded: managing production, quality, workforce development, and growth opportunities.

Key responsibilities will include:

Lead the day-to-day operations of the manufacturing / production unit at ECS, including production planning, workflow, labour management, resource allocation and delivery to clients. Drive growth by developing new sales, contracts and customer relationships across bespoke clothing, workwear, PPE, uniforms and printed/embroidered items in public, private and social-enterprise markets. Oversee quality, compliance and accreditation standards relevant to manufacturing, textiles, work-wear and social enterprise operations (e.g., production quality, environmental/sustainability, health & safety, social value). Build and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders (customers, supply chain, funders, community organisations), and represent ECS externally in tendering, procurement frameworks and industry networks. Manage, motivate and support staff, trainees and volunteers - many of whom are disabled or disadvantaged - to develop skills, progress in employment and contribute to ECS's mission. Identify and deliver opportunities for innovation, diversification and scaling of the business (for example new garment lines, new markets, partnerships, sustainable manufacturing practices). Ensure efficient use and maintenance of premises, production equipment, supply-chain logistics, vehicles and resources. Collaborate with internal functions (HR, finance, training, marketing) and external partners to maximise both commercial and social outcomes of the enterprise.

Your Skills & Experience

Proven management experience: you have successfully managed a team (or multiple teams) and delivered business/operational results (e.g., manufacturing, service delivery, production, or similar). A proactive, "make-things-happen" mindset: you are commercially minded, driven to identify and exploit growth opportunities. Strategic thinking: able to set vision for growth, identify markets or contracts, build partnerships and drive change. Experience in sales, business development or tendering - especially beneficial if you've worked in manufacturing, uniform/workwear, or social enterprise procurement. Strong communication and influencing skills: you can effectively represent ECS, influence stakeholders, and work cross-functionally. Understanding of, or personal commitment to, social inclusion and employing people who face barriers to work (e.g., disabled/disadvantaged individuals) - this is central to ECS's mission. ELITE Supported Employment+1 Flexibility, resilience and a continuous improvement mindset: the ability to adapt, innovate and scale. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle (for travel across Wales / visits to customers, supply chain, training sites). Comfortable operating both on the shop-floor/production side and at the strategic level (having oversight of day-to-day operations and forward planning).

Desirable

Experience in manufacturing textiles, workwear, uniforms, PPE or clothing supply chain - familiarity with production, quality control, garments, printing/embroidery. Experience working with public sector procurement, fashion/manufacturing supply chains or social enterprises. Understanding of accreditation/quality systems relevant to manufacturing and social enterprise operations (e.g., ISO, social value frameworks, environment/sustainability standards). Strong network in South Wales / manufacturing sector, or familiarity with Welsh social enterprise supply frameworks. Track record of managing change, scaling an operation, introducing innovation or new services.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a values-driven organisation: combining commercial enterprise with social impact, based in Wales and making a real difference. Lead an enterprise with genuine growth potential, help shape its future direction, drive innovation and social value. Work in a collaborative, supportive environment where your leadership, ideas and initiative will have tangible impact for business, community and individuals.

What else is in it for you?

Company pension (3% matched). 20-25 days annual leave (based on length of service), plus 8 bank holidays and 4 discretionary days. Holiday-buy scheme.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 35,021.00-36,944.00 per year

Work Location: In person