Production Manager (Garment Manufacturing)

Job Overview

The Production Manager manages the Placement, Execution and Follow-up of Manufacturing Orders by ensuring the timely delivery of Quality, Profitable Goods.

The Production Manager will be required to work on numerous activities for the company in the areas of:

Production Targets, Workflow Management, Innovation, Quality Management and Output Reporting.

The Production Manager will report directly to the General Manager to ensure efficient processes at all times.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall Management of Production Department, including but not limited to:

- Monitoring current Work-in-Progress

- Planning future Work Orders

- Identifying & Addressing Non-Conformities

- Driving Production to meet targets

Management of Production Supervisor including, but not limited to:

- Distribution of Work

- Regular checking of Patterns for accuracy and appropriateness

- Ensuring minimum wastage on lays when cutting

- Ensuring a coherent and smooth flow of production at all times

- Checking speed of production against targets

- Observing, Assessing and Resolving Non-Conformities per existing production guidelines

Oversight in General Trends & Innovations

- Perform competitive research (Production Techniques, Fabrics, Suppliers, New Markets, New Items)

- Continuously evaluate marketplace to identify and report on applicability of key trends in manufacturing,

fabrications and construction

- Identify significant innovations and share with supervisors in production and partners in merchandising and

design on regular basis

- Maintain archive of Materials/Fabrics, Hardware/Machinery, Accessories etc. for production

Operations & Results

- Create approved vendor matrix, with costing and production capacity portfolio.

- Assist in negotiations on pricing to ensure profitability; enter final buys; track production from first samples

to final deliveries; advise Senior Manager and Director of non-compliance/claims chargebacks with vendors;

coordinate customs classification coordination with imports

- Partner with Merchandising, Design and Sales to develop product, ensure correct execution of products and

attain agreed-upon margin goals, in context of larger assortment and cost structure; set and articulate

expectations and ensure timely delivery according to development calendar.

- Manage Product Development including execution of Prototypes, Salesmen Samples, Fabric and Color

Approval

- Follow and enforce Production Standards and Cohesiveness of Brand, where appropriate, across categories

and Vendors; attend all fits and work closely with Product Development to ensure on-time approvals;

execute Quality Control initiatives, including QA Analysis and Solutions; adhere to and enforce Production

Standards set by the company.

- Troubleshoot Quality and Technical issues with Factories, Mills, Vendors and Teams; execute efforts in

Special Garment Development and enhancements and modifications to designs and materials, including line

and discount/derivative products, in order to maintain aesthetic and achieve financial goals.

- Advise management on Capacity Planning and Performance Management by Sourcing Office, Region,

Country and Vendor; contribute accurate information for Costing Models; allocate production across

Vendors and reserve production space.

- Ensuring Factory meets all required existing ISO standards for certificate renewal purposes.

- Ensuring Factory is always export ready by regular reviewing existing Production Techniques, Quality

Management Systems, Costings & Pricings.

- Ensuring that items produced are consistent & Internationally Competitive in terms of Quality, Fit & Pricing

Customers & Relationships

- Partner with Customers, Sales, Merchandising and Operations, as well as Vendors and Factories to ensure

adequate flow of goods relative to orders and anticipated demand criteria

- Coordinate Inter-office communication and follow-up with Internal and External customers and contacts

regarding Production, including Suppliers and Vendors.

- Perform Special Projects as assigned.

- Travel to Factories and International Trade Shows, where appropriate.

Leadership & Teams

- Contribute positively to team dynamic and manage up where necessary.

- Attract, develop and retain talent.

- Monitor and evaluate performance of individuals.

Preparing the following reports to the General Manager:

- Weekly Production Output Report

- Monthly Production Output Report

- Non-Conformities, Error Discovery & Correction Report

- Weekly Work Order Planning Schedule

- Monthly Trend observation report

Key Performance Areas

- Support to Managing Director

- Support to General Manager

- Support to Production Supervisor

- Support to Merchandiser

Key Performance Indicators

- Both Minor and Major Production Non-Conformities are identified in minimal time, communicated and

addressed, resulting in improved production process.

- Designer Patterns are coded, labelled and saved in an easily retrievable manner.

- Designer Patterns are always updated

- Cutting wastage is minimised

- Work distribution is efficient, coherent and organised.

- Production times are consistent with targets

- Delivery periods are met and/or exceeded

- New fabrics are sourced & delivered within 3 months

- 0% returns in orders manufactured

Skills and Requirements

- Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; team oriented.

- Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines; highly detail oriented and meticulous.

- Creativity, technical capability and sensibility for merchandising/design.

- Knowledge of garment manufacturing, including construction, fabrication, pattern understanding,

trim and print techniques.

- Bachelor’s degree.

- 4 - 8 years’ experience in apparel production and sourcing; relevant experience in category.

- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, CAD, GERBER Equipment & Software.

- Must be willing to relocate to a foreign country