ERL is seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee the full production cycle of our menswear apparel — from pre-production through bulk manufacturing. You will ensure products meet quality, timing, and cost objectives while managing vendor relationships and optimizing workflows.
This role serves as a strategic interface between Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and external suppliers, translating the brand’s creative vision into operational excellence and commercially viable collections. You will lead sample approvals, fittings, and production quality checks, troubleshoot issues, and implement process improvements to strengthen efficiency and accuracy.
The ideal candidate has 5+ years of luxury apparel production experience, with strong knowledge of Los Angeles manufacturing, costing, sourcing, and cross-functional collaboration. Technical expertise in menswear construction, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple vendors and timelines in a fast-paced environment are essential.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the full production lifecycle, from sourcing and procurement through fit sessions, manufacturing, fulfillment, and delivery, ensuring timely, cost-effective, and high-quality output that meets all timelines and standards.
- Lead the production process independently, making decisions proactively and managing multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
- Partner with Product Design to establish and manage the Product Development and Production calendar, ensuring on-time deliveries.
- Build and maintain cost sheets to ensure all styles meet costing and margin targets.
- Assess existing suppliers and source new domestic and international vendors to optimize quality, pricing, and margin compliance.
- Create and issue purchase orders for fabrics, trims, and production items; manage vendor relationships throughout production.
- Negotiate costs, production minimums, and delivery terms to maximize efficiency and margins.
- Collaborate with Product Development and Design team to ensure smooth handover from proto/samples to production.
- Troubleshoot production issues and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
- Monitor production budgets and provide regular cost analysis and supplier performance reports.
- Update work in progress (WIP) daily to maintain full visibility from ideation to production completion.
- Oversee quality control across all products, ensuring garments meet brand standards for construction, fit, and finishing.
- Prepare purchase orders, cutting tickets, and bills of materials (BOMs); coordinate with factories and graders for timely execution.
- Track shipments and communicate delivery timelines to relevant departments.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Minimum 5+ years of menswear production management experience within a premium or luxury brand.
- Strong technical knowledge of ready-to-wear garment construction.
- Proven experience managing domestic and international suppliers.
- Minimum 3 years producing in Los Angeles.
- Self-sufficient, decisive, and able to lead production independently.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple categories and overlapping timelines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven leadership in improving operational efficiency through process optimization.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and cross-functional leadership skills.