Production Manager - Women's Dresses and Outerwear

POSITION TITLE:  Production Manager - Women’s Dresses and Outerwear

REPORTS TO:   Sr Production Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: Manage information for development of new styles from concept to production via interaction with internal and external cross functional partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fabric

• Partner with Design on initial development 
• Oversee raw material development to meet price, aesthetic, and quality needs
• Ensure raw materials are executable; consider fabric platforming possibilities
• Oversee raw materials testing and creation and maintenance of raw materials library

Product Development

• Partner with Design to drive trends/concepts to executable samples
• Work with Design to select fabrics and trims to meet Design aesthetics, price points, and quality needs
• Manage compliance to T&A calendar in conjunction with major milestones
• Manage development ratios to agreed to levels while meeting roadmap needs
• Formulate sourcing strategy by partnering with Production Director before placing sample request in overseas factories
• Allocate samples and source raw materials from appropriate factories and mills
• Actively participate in key milestone meetings with Design, Production, and Merchants
• Work on alternative solutions so garments meet cost requirements from initial thru final costing

Production

• Facilitate and lead cross-functional interaction to drive decision making process, remove road blocks and bring resolution. Attend the following key meetings to facilitate and drive toward resolution: Cross Functional Team (CFT), QA touch base and TOP Review.
• Execute sourcing strategy at a seasonal level. Own, monitor and manage factory allocation. Elevate concerns and issues to supervisor as needed. Forecast and hindsight Vendor / Agent capacity and capabilities.
• Manage external partners’ relationships by communicating and partnering with them on: Seasonal allocation strategy; production, product or costing challenges, initiatives or issues; factory loading / capacity planning.
• Manage internal partners’ relationships by communicating and partnering with them on: seasonal IMU goals, volume, air budget and trigger strategy; seasonal allocation strategy and booking calendar; costing and TNA challenges as well as production or product issues. 
• Own seasonal costing activities encompassing: Securing and communicating IMU goals to team; reviewing and analyzing costs identifying opportunities for improvement and taking action based on IMU results; elevating costing issues to supervisor and executing to direction; communicating IMU results to cross functional partners; confirming costing at style level.
• Enforce that TNA calendar and seasonal milestones are being met and elevate issues to supervisor as needed.
• Review escalated PSR issues and determine action steps which may include: Giving direction to coordinator to execute, reaching out to Vendor / Agent to work on solutions and / or escalating to supervisor.
• Visit facilities to monitor production, evaluate capacity and compliance as needed.
• Train and develop designated production staff
• Ensure initiatives, tools and systems are being implemented and maintained. Monitor use of systems over time.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent
• 5+ years related experience; Sweaters experience is preferred
• Ability to efficiently prioritize multiple tasks for department members.
• Must possess negotiation skills.
• Capable of training, developing and managing team
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment - mainly working in the office 3 to 4 days a week with the team and remote work from home 1 to 2 days a week.
   

Pay/Benefits Information:

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.  For additional information, please click here.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.