DescriptionOverviewThe Apparel Production Manager owns the end-to-end production lifecycle for finished apparel goods, from initial planning through final delivery. This role is a critical link between our internal cross-functional teams and our regional support offices / overseas manufacturing vendors. The primary focus will be to ensure that production commitments are planned accurately, executed on schedule, and monitored closely so that finished goods arrive on time, in full, and to specification.
This is a highly cross-functional, execution-focused role. The ideal candidate brings strong apparel manufacturing knowledge, proven vendor management skills, and the judgment to identify and resolve production risks before they become delivery problems. Success requires close, ongoing coordination with design, merchandising, sourcing, quality assurance, and logistics teams, along with frequent direct communication with overseas factories and regional support offices across multiple time zones.
Essential Duties- Collaborate with the Sr Supply Chain Manager, merchandising, sales, retail services, logistics, marketing, and other interdepartmental teams to ensure finished goods production timing and cadence aligns with overall company objectives.
- Directly owns vendor production management for Knights Apparel:
- Communicate daily with the regional offices and suppliers to track and monitor all WIP (work in progress). Recognizing when changes or delays in production timing have an immediate impact on our ability to service the customer, and then communication that across the business accordingly.
- Work with the appropriate cross-functional teams to manage the systematic placement of purchase orders, maintaining seasonal calendar adherence throughout this process.
- Review capacity and forecast plans with regional team, supply chain partners, and suppliers to confirm that timely product delivery based on the seasonal allocation plan.
- Continuously considers budgetary implications and recommends adjustments to procurement and/or logistics to meet company objectives.
- Owns communication with appropriate internal teams around expectations of finished goods delivery, quality, and accuracy.
- Partners daily with the logistics and retail services teams to monitor the end-to-end timing of product from vendor completion and handover of goods through to fulfillment of customer orders out of the warehouse.
- Negotiates with suppliers to ensure the appropriate accountability is applied for delivery, freight ownership, and product quality. Working with finance to apply chargebacks and debit/credit actions when necessary.
- Develops and maintains executive level relationships with suppliers to successfully navigate new and continuing programs. Maintain authority to enforce corrective action plans when needed.
- Establish and report out on key performance metrics related to the production of finished goods. To include but not limited to on time delivery, capacity utilization, ASN /systems and shipment accuracy. Partnering closely with regional support offices to align priorities, escalate issues, and drive real-time resolutions to misses of these metrics.
- Ensure accurate, timely purchase order issuance, amendments, and cancellations within ERP/PO systems, becoming an expert in SAP maintenance and reporting.
- Identify recurring production issues, leading root-cause analysis and driving process improvements with vendors and internal teams.
- Provide regular status updates through TRAK and other similar weekly recurring meetings, escalating risks proactively to leadership, sales, and planning stakeholders.
- Communicate proactively across time zones, adjusting working hours as needed to support overseas vendors and regional offices.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree with 7+ years relevant work experience OR Master's 5+ years relevant work experience;
- 7+ years previous supply chain experience with increasing responsibilities and a demonstrated knowledge of Apparel Production and Procurement
- Leadership experience
- Strong business acumen
- Demonstrated talent for building and maintaining interdepartmental relationships
- Ability to concisely communicate complex delivery and quantitative information to stakeholders
- Resourceful and well organized, ability to work well under pressure, multi-task, and delegate
- Excellent analytical and mathematical skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Excel
- Supply Chain experience with Tier 1 or Tier 2 Enterprising Resources Planning (ERP) software. SAP experience is strongly preferred.
- Proven track record of being a self-starter, acknowledging when urgency is needed and acting on it without additional instruction.
- Direct experience working with overseas finished goods production facilities as well as regional support teams.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the associate. Other duties will be assigned as needed.
