Production Manager / Product Development Lead

About the role

The Production Manager / Product Development Lead will oversee the end‑to‑end creation of luxury apparel, ensuring that design concepts are transformed into high‑quality, commercially viable garments. This role combines technical garment expertise with strong supplier and production coordination.

Key responsibilities

• Manage product development from concept through final approved sample, reviewing designs for feasibility, fit, and production practicality.
• Approve fabrics, trims, accessories, construction methods and finishing techniques.
• Coordinate first samples, fit samples, PPS and size sets, identifying and solving potential production or quality issues.
• Plan, schedule and monitor production from order confirmation to delivery, allocating work to in‑house and external factories.
• Monitor daily output, flag delays early and escalate risks with proposed solutions.
• Source, evaluate and develop factories, workshops and tailors, negotiating CMT and sampling costs.
• Maintain supplier relationships, track performance and conduct factory visits when needed.
• Ensure all output meets Carter and White’s luxury quality standards.

Required profile

• Strong technical knowledge of garment construction and luxury apparel standards.
• Proven experience in product development and production management within fashion or apparel.
• Excellent problem‑solving ability and attention to detail.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally with design, sourcing and manufacturing teams.

Required skills

• Garment construction
• Product development
• Production scheduling
• Supplier management
• Quality control
• Pattern making
• CMT negotiation