Production Manager

Job Title: Production Manager – Women's Apparel

Reports To: VP of Costing & Production

Department: Production / Sourcing

Location: Saint-Laurent, Quebec

Position Overview

The Production Manager will oversee the end-to-end production lifecycle for women's apparel programs sold to major U.S. retailers. This role is responsible for managing a team of Production Coordinators and Fit & Spec Technicians, ensuring all production milestones are executed accurately, on time, and in compliance with customer and company standards.

The ideal candidate is highly experienced in mass and off-price production, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and excels at vendor management, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication.

Key Responsibilities - Production Oversight & Execution

• Manage and track all production activities from order confirmation through final shipment.
• Ensure timely execution of all production milestones, including:
• Fabric approvals
• Lab dips, strike-offs, and shade bands
• Trim and packaging approvals
• Fit samples, pre-production (PP) samples, and top-of-production (TOP) samples
• Third-party testing and compliance requirements
• Quality control inspections and final approvals
• Proactively identify potential risks or delays and implement corrective actions.

Team Leadership & Management

• Directly manage and mentor a team of 6 Production Coordinators and 6 Fit & Spec Technicians.
• Assign workloads, prioritize tasks, and ensure team accountability to deadlines.
• Provide guidance on best practices, retailer requirements, and production standards.
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development.

Vendor & Factory Management

• Work closely with overseas and domestic suppliers to ensure on-time production and quality standards.
• Monitor factory performance, capacity, and compliance.
• Resolve production issues related to quality, cost, timing, or compliance.
• Ensure suppliers adhere to retailer-specific requirements and testing protocols.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Design, Merchandising, Costing, QA, Logistics, and Sales teams to support production goals.
• Maintain clear communication with internal stakeholders regarding production status and risks.
• Escalate critical issues promptly to the VP of Costing & Production and COO, providing clear solutions and impact assessments.

Reporting & Systems

• Maintain accurate production calendars, WIP reports, and status updates.
• Ensure all production data is updated in PLM/ERP systems.
• Provide regular production status reports to leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of production experience in women's apparel, preferably in mass market or off-price retail.
• 3+ years in a management or leadership role.
• Strong understanding of apparel construction, fit, fabric, trims, testing, and QA processes.
• Proven experience working with major U.S. retailers (Walmart, Costco, TJ Maxx, Ross, Burlington, etc.).
• Extensive experience managing overseas production and suppliers.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple styles, vendors, and timelines simultaneously.
• Proficiency in PLM systems, Excel, and production tracking tools.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & team development
• Vendor negotiation and issue resolution
• Attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Strong escalation and communication skills
• Strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Why Join Us

• Work with leading U.S. retailers
• High-impact leadership role
• Fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Opportunity to shape and streamline production operations

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Extended health care

Work Location: In person