Direct Hire – Design & Production Operations Manager-Onsite- Norristown, PA

A boutique fashion brand is seeking an experienced Design & Production Operations Manager to oversee operational execution across Design and Production. This role is responsible for managing timelines, people, vendor accountability, and cost control throughout the product lifecycle. Reporting to the Design & Production Manager, this position plays a critical role in ensuring collections move from concept through bulk production on time, on cost, and aligned with brand standards.

This is a non-design role. While the position collaborates closely with the design team and participates in selection and development discussions, the primary focus is on operations, process, timelines, and vendor management.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and enforce the end-to-end design-to-production calendar, ensuring all milestones are realistic, visible, and met

• Manage and support the Production Coordinator and Design team, including Lead Designer, Designers, and Technical Design

• Serve as the operational liaison between Design, Technical Design, Production, and factories

• Source, evaluate, and onboard new vendors and factories, assessing quality, pricing, capacity, lead times, and brand alignment

• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international factories

• Partner directly with overseas factories to manage development and bulk production timelines

• Lead and support cost negotiations, including FOB pricing, MOQs, and lead times

• Review and reconcile factory invoices against approved costings, purchase orders, and quantities

• Drive cross-functional accountability to ensure tech packs, revisions, and approvals are completed on time

• Build, document, and refine processes, workflows, and SOPs for calendar management, costing, and vendor communication

• Identify workflow inefficiencies and recommend solutions to improve speed, accuracy, and on-time delivery

Systems & Tools

• Experience with PLM and production platforms

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel for sales, inventory, and cost analysis

• Familiarity with sales and inventory reporting tools

Qualifications

• Strong background in design and production operations

• Proven experience managing teams and cross-functional partners

• Demonstrated ability to own calendars, costs, and vendor accountability

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and solutions-oriented

• Confident communicator with overseas factories and internal stakeholders