Job Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, and Club Monaco, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

The Head of PLM & Pre-Production Technology will provide vision and leadership for acquiring, developing, and implementing information technology initiatives for the Pre-Production, Product Development & Product Design businesses at Ralph Lauren. The Head of PLM & Pre-Production Technology directs and manages computing and information technology strategic plans and the implementation of IT systems in support of Pre-Production business operations to improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and business development. The position reports to the Chief Technology Officer.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

* Work with Business Leaders in Pre-Production functions to align IT strategy and initiatives in support of Business strategy & goals

* Provide a deep understanding of the end to end Design Process in the fashion industry

* Provide strategic and tactical planning, development, evaluation and coordination of the information and technology systems for Pre-Production

* Support the reengineering & transformation of the Product Create process for design including digital design leveraging PLM and 3D product technology foundation

* Lead evolution of the Pre-Production landscape including Product Lifecycle Management (preference for FlexPLM), Product Quality & Compliance, Digital Product Development and provide strategic and tactical planning, development, evaluation and coordination of the information and technology systems for Pre-Production

* Inspire 3D development and adoption across the enterprise while enabling the change management across the enterprise to change

* Support the Corporate Social Responsibility components associated with the Product Development process

* Partner with our Supply Chain Process owners on programs to transform the RL global Value Chain

* Support cross-channel process integration in partnership with the various business functions in region and globally

* Facilitate communication between staff, management, vendors and other technology resources within Ralph Lauren

* Lead IT strategic and operational planning for Pre-Production to ensure the system capabilities are responsive to the needs of the companys growth and objectives

* Develop and maintain an appropriate Pre-Production IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the business

* Advise senior management on strategic systems implementations and integrations in support of business goals and objectives

* Interact with other IT executives on overall strategy and goals

* Develop, track, and control the Pre-Production IT annual operating and capital budgets

* Ensure Pre-Production IT is secure & in compliant with regulatory requirements

* Coordinate and facilitate consultation with stakeholders to define business and system requirements for new technology implementations

* Review, approve, and/or negotiate with vendors on contracts for computing and information technology services and systems

* Help drive the RL Global shared service delivery model

* Keep current with trends and issues in IT and Pre-Production, including current technologies and prices; advise, counsel and educate management on their competitive or financial impact

* Promote and oversee relationships between Pre-Production IT and other IT organizations, as well as external entities, including vendors and partner organizations

* Supervise recruitment, development, retention, and organization of Pre-Production IT staff in accordance with budgetary objectives and human resources policies

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

* Degree in computer science, or equivalent

* Minimum of ten years of experience managing and directing an IT organization with deep knowledge in the Product Lifecycle Management solution sets and processes for the apparel industry

* Minimum of ten years working in the Pre-Production space with emphasis on design development processes solutions related to the apparel industry

* Knowledge of the entire Pre-Production business cycle, from Ideation through Design, sourcing, quality control etc.

* Proven leadership ability

* Experience in strategic planning and execution

* Demonstrated ability to apply IT in solving business problems
* Ability to set and manage priorities judiciously

* Proven and effective verbal and written communications skills, and effective presentation skills, all geared toward team building, coordination, and cooperation

* Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language
* Proven ability to effectively negotiate with vendors, contractors, and others
* Minimum ten years experience in budget preparation and monitoring
* Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities
* Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
* Strong understanding of human resource management principles, practices, and procedures
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Self-motivated, independent, cooperative, flexible, creative.