Design & Sourcing Manager

Position Overview:

This is a key creative and strategic role for someone passionate about ethical fashion, design, and artisan collaboration. As Design & Sourcing Manager at Swara, you'll be at the heart of our product journey shaping our aesthetic, leading sourcing efforts, and ensuring every piece we launch reflects Swara's core values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and women's empowerment.

You'll oversee the full process from concept to launch: developing seasonal collections, coordinating sampling and production, and working closely with tailors and artisans. A significant part of this role involves identifying and building relationships with women artisan clusters across Kerala and India to source exquisite handmade products tailored for urban and global customers.

This is the perfect role for someone who blends design intuition with operational rigour and has a deep respect for traditional craft and community-based production.

Key Responsibilities:

Sourcing:

• Identify clusters of women artisans across Kerala and India for product sourcing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with artisan clusters to ensure the ethical production of high-quality products.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders to implement social impact initiatives benefiting our women artisans, who are at the core of our business.

Creative Direction:

• Provide creative direction to the design team, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetics and sustainability goals.
• Inspire and mentor team members to encourage creativity and innovation.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, to ensure cohesive and impactful product launches.
• Work with external partners, such as artisans and eco-conscious collaborators, to enhance the brand's design offerings.

Quality Control:

• Implement rigorous quality control processes to maintain high standards in design and craftsmanship.
• Work closely with production teams to address any design-related issues during manufacturing.

Sustainability Integration:

• Infuse sustainability into the design process by exploring and integrating eco-friendly materials, circular design principles, and zero-waste practices.
• Ensure that designs reflect the brand's commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion.

In-Charge of Relationships:

As the Fashion Designer and Sourcing point of contact at Swara, you will be responsible for:

• Managing and nurturing relationships with artisan clusters.
• Overseeing the sourcing process and ensuring the ethical production of products.

A Day in the life:

You'll start the day reviewing sampling progress and coordinating with tailors on the studio floor. Next, you might hop on a call with an artisan cluster in Wayanad or Kutch to discuss sourcing timelines. After lunch, you'll work on the next product drop updating the line sheet, checking fabric availability, and briefing the marketing team on new pieces. You'll finish the day by updating the General Manager on product readiness, vendor follow-ups, and any roadblocks in production. From swatches to stories, every day is a mix of design, coordination, and collaboration with your hands in the creative heart of Swara.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• 25 years in fashion design, sourcing, or production
• Comfortable managing vendors and tailors independently
• Strong aesthetic and detailing sense
• Excellent communication (English, Malayalam & Hindi) and collaboration skills
• Passion for sustainable fashion and a commitment to driving positive change

Good To Have:

• Proven experience in a design role within the ethical or sustainable fashion industry.