DescriptionJob TitlePre-Production & Production Manager
Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly technical, hands-on Pre-Production & Production Manager to lead fabric development, garment engineering, and production execution across a fast-paced, multi-business-unit lounge and athleisure organization. This role requires deep expertise in cut-and-sew construction, knitted fabrics, dyeing and washing, and the ability to translate a creative vision into commercially viable, reproducible fabric and garment specifications. The ideal candidate has direct manufacturing experience in both China and India and can confidently communicate with mills, dye houses, laundries, and garment factories.
Key Responsibilities- Own the transition from concept and development through pre-production approvals, bulk production, and final quality delivery across multiple business units and overlapping calendars.
- Lead product costing and cost engineering for diverse customer needs, target price points, and business-unit margin requirements; develop and validate detailed garment and fabric cost breakdowns, evaluate alternative yarns, fiber blends, constructions, washes, trims, and manufacturing methods, and partner with mills and factories to achieve target costs without compromising critical quality, fit, color, or performance standards.
- Develop original knit fabrics from physical reference garments, verbal concepts, descriptive briefs, hand-feel goals, performance needs, and available knitting machinery-not solely from existing swatches.
- Technically specify and explain knit structures, machine gauge, yarn count, stitch length, fabric tension, fiber content and blends, weight (GSM), stretch and recovery, shrinkage, drape, and finishing requirements.
- Partner with mills to engineer fabrics for desired aesthetics, performance, cost, lead time, and production consistency; evaluate lab dips, hand looms, knit-downs, and bulk submissions.
- Lead garment and fabric dyeing; pigment and reactive dye processes, where appropriate; wash development; enzyme/softener treatments; and garment finishing. Articulate how time, temperature, dyestuff selection, chemical use, liquor ratio, and process sequence affect color, hand feel, appearance, and durability.
- Apply a strong eye for color to shade development, lab-dip evaluation, color continuity, and approval of fabric and garment-dyed production; troubleshoot shade variation and wash inconsistency.
- Oversee cut-and-sew execution, including patterns, fit, construction, seam selection, stitching, trims, tolerances, and wash-related measurement changes.
- Manage tech packs, bills of materials, sample comments, testing standards, pre-production samples, size sets, pilot runs, TOP samples, and production approvals.
- Identify and resolve technical issues with fabric stability, pilling, spirality, crocking, colorfastness, dimensional change, seam performance, and production yield.
- Drive factory and mill timelines, capacity planning, costing, risk mitigation, quality standards, and on-time delivery; communicate clear decisions and escalation paths across design, sourcing, merchandising, and operations.
RequirementsRequired Qualifications- 5+ years of relevant experience in apparel pre-production, production, fabric development, or textile manufacturing, with meaningful ownership of knit cut-and-sew programs.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience working with manufacturing partners and production processes in both China and India.
- Advanced technical understanding of knit fabric engineering, fiber content, yarns, knitting machinery, fabric tension, and fabric finishing.
- Practical expertise in fabric and garment dyeing, wash chemistry, process parameters, shade control, and bulk reproducibility.
- Ability to translate both physical garment references and abstract verbal direction into actionable fabric development instructions and measurable specifications.
- Strong color judgment, troubleshooting ability, factory communication skills, and comfort managing multiple deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
Preferred Qualifications- Degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Apparel Production, Fashion Technology, or a related field; a minor in Textile Science is especially welcome.
- Experience in premium lounge, athleisure, jersey, fleece, French terry, rib, interlock, or performance knit categories.
- Familiarity with textile and garment testing protocols, chemical compliance, and responsible dyeing and finishing practices.
Success in This Role- Original fabric concepts are translated into clear mill instructions, approved standards, and consistent bulk production.
- Color, hand feel, fit, wash effects, quality, cost, and delivery remain aligned across business units and manufacturing locations.
- Technical issues are anticipated early, resolved decisively, and documented for repeatable production.
Work Location & Travel RequirementsPrimary location: New York City
Work arrangement: Hybrid; 4 days onsite per week
Travel: No regular travel expected
CompensationPAY range: $95,000-$115,000/yr.
At Delta Galil, we strive to hire and nurture amazing talent. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, experience, specialized skills, and internal alignment.
Company BenefitsBenefitsAs a Delta Galil Associate, you'll be part of a global fashion company that values innovation, craftsmanship, and people. We're committed to offering comprehensive and competitive benefits that reflect our culture of care, creativity, and collaboration - but most importantly, benefits that fit you.
Our diverse range of programs is designed to support your total well-being - empowering you to make the best choices for yourself, your loved ones, and your lifestyle.
Below are a few of the benefits available to our Associates:
- Multi-brand merchandise discount, including Splendid, 7 For All Mankind, and PJ Salvage
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, as well as Basic Life/Voluntary Life/Disability/Critical Illness
- Financial Wellness: 401(k) Retirement Program with Company match and 529 College Savings Plan, as well as Tax-Advantage Health & Transit Accounts
- Personal and sick time off, vacation time, floating days, and company-observed holidays
- Paid Volunteer Time Off to dedicate your skills and time towards charitable activities
- From weekly breakfasts and monthly milestone celebrations to leadership-led panels and team-building events, we offer plenty of fun ways to connect-both in person and virtually
