Position Summary
The Director of Production & Supply Chain is responsible for leading the end-to-end production lifecycle from final design handoff through factory production, compliance, international logistics, and receipt into the United States.
This role owns the production critical path, ensuring cross-functional alignment between Design, Product Development, overseas manufacturing partners, and Logistics to deliver collections on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.
This position serves as the operational owner of the production calendar, proactively identifying risks, driving accountability across teams, and ensuring all milestones are achieved to support successful product launches.
Key Responsibilities
- Production Management
- Own and manage the end-to-end production calendar and critical path for all collections.
- Ensure production milestones are achieved from design approval through final factory delivery.
- Partner closely with the China Production team to monitor factory progress, capacity, production schedules, and shipment readiness.
- Identify production risks early and implement mitigation plans to minimize delays.
- Conduct weekly production status meetings and communicate progress to executive leadership.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with the Design team to ensure all tech packs, specifications, artwork, trims, color approvals, and production documentation are delivered on schedule.
- Hold cross-functional teams accountable to critical path deadlines and proactively resolve bottlenecks.
- Collaborate with Product Development, Merchandising, Planning, and Sales to support seasonal launches.
- Serve as the central communication point between U.S. teams and overseas manufacturing partners.
- Factory & Vendor Management
- Build strong relationships with overseas factories and manufacturing partners.
- Monitor factory performance, production quality, lead times, and delivery commitments.
- Partner with the China Production Manager to resolve production issues, quality concerns, and scheduling challenges.
- Evaluate vendor performance and recommend continuous process improvements.
- Supply Chain & Logistics
- Oversee international production flow from factory completion through delivery into U.S. distribution facilities.
- Partner with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers to ensure timely movement of goods.
- Monitor shipment schedules and proactively address transportation or customs delays.
- Ensure inventory arrives according to launch timelines.
- Compliance & Quality
- Oversee U.S. product compliance requirements, including fabric testing, laboratory testing, and regulatory standards.
- Ensure products meet all applicable U.S. safety, labeling, and import requirements prior to shipment.
- Partner with Quality Assurance to resolve testing failures or production quality concerns.
- Maintain compliance documentation for audits and regulatory requirements.
- Process Improvement
- Develop and optimize production and supply chain processes to improve efficiency, visibility, and on-time delivery.
- Establish reporting dashboards and KPI metrics for production performance, vendor performance, and supply chain execution.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production planning and operational workflows.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field.8+ years of production, sourcing, or supply chain leadership experience within the fashion, apparel, or accessories industry.
- Strong understanding of overseas manufacturing, particularly China-based production.
- Experience managing production calendars, critical paths, and seasonal launches.
- Knowledge of international shipping, import processes, customs documentation, and U.S. product compliance requirements.
- Experience managing cross-functional teams and external manufacturing partners.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and production management systems or ERP platforms.
- Success Measures
- On-time delivery of seasonal collections.
- Achievement of production milestones and critical path deadlines.
- Reduction in production delays and launch risks.
- High vendor performance and manufacturing quality.
- Compliance with all U.S. testing and import regulations.
- Efficient coordination across Design, Production, Logistics, and Supply Chain teams.
