Production Manager

Really Wild Clothing

Really Wild Clothing is a luxury British fashion brand, blending timeless design with the finest

craftsmanship. Known for our use of heritage fabrics such as tweed, wool, cashmere, and Liberty silk, we work closely with expert artisans and manufacturers to create pieces that embody sophistication, tradition, and style.

These are pivotal roles, ensuring the seamless journey from design concept to final garment delivery.

Role Overview

The Production Manager will oversee the entire production process for their designated area from the technical design stage to final product delivery, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and budgets are met. They will manage both internal teams and external relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, ensuring all parties work efficiently and to the highest standard.

This role requires exceptional organisational skills, negotiation ability, and a keen eye for detail, as well as a deep understanding of garment technology and production processes in the luxury fashion sector.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design & Development

• Work closely with the Design and Operational teams to ensure designs are practical for production while maintaining creative integrity.
• Assist in design planning using a product pyramid approach-balancing hero pieces with higher price points/low units and more accessible pieces with higher units.
• Provide guidance on cost implications based on fabric choice and design complexity.
• Approve technical specifications and ensure sketches are production-ready before submission to manufacturers proactively meeting deadlines and any factory seasonal ‘shutdowns’ that occur in collaboration with Garment tech.

2. Production Management & Scheduling

• Oversee the timely implementation of designs, ensuring critical paths are followed and deadlines met through the use of trackers.
• Liaise with manufacturers to confirm production feasibility and delivery schedules. Ensuring that escalations are managed and communicated appropriately to minimise disruption to Really Wild Clothing’s growth and supply chain.
• Manage all fabric and trim orders (including tweed, wool, cashmere, leather, cotton, buttons, zippers, lace, and decorative elements), ensuring correct quantities, quality, and timely delivery.
• Providing regular stock reports to key stakeholders
• Monitor and report on KPIs and communicate these with stakeholders as required

3. Quality Control

• Receive and open sample packages immediately upon arrival.
• Working with the Design and Garment Tech to streamline the sample review and approval process.
• Conduct a QC (Quality Control) check on all samples to ensure they match approved sketches and technical specifications before sign-off by the design team.
• Flag and resolve any quality or compliance issues with suppliers promptly and escalate as necessary.
• Review and manage technical sheets to ensure products meet compliance and production viability.

4. Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with all manufacturers and suppliers
• Conduct factory visits to enhance working relationships, production quality and operational standards.
• Negotiate pricing and terms to ensure cost efficiency without compromising quality.
• Continually collaborate to ensure improvements are made in lead times.
• Ensure supplier contracts are in place, clearly defined, and adhered to.

5. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Oversee and support the internal production team, ensuring workflows are efficient.
• Foster a collaborative relationship between design, technical, and production teams.
• Lead by example, ensuring proactive communication and problem-solving.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Product Development to maintain up-to-date critical path and production trackers.

6. Business Scaling

• Identify and implement opportunities to scale production efficiently, balancing cost control with premium brand standards.
• Work to streamline the process of moving from sketch to manufacturer to ensure the company’s growth objectives are met.

7. Collaboration

• Drive the collaboration between internal and external teams ensuring effective communication, reducing delays or disruptions including but not limited to:
• Partnering with Design, Operation and merchandising teams on forecasting and forward product commitments.
• Leading the coordination with fabric suppliers to manage lead times and communicate delays to manufacturers
• Working in partnership with the Design team to ensure technical specifications are accurate
• Support the Head of Product Development on raw material procurement and inventory control.
• Proactively addressing technical requirements with suppliers based on input from the Design Department / Garment Tech
• Manage sample orders and associated critical paths for content creation and campaigns to the eCommerce and Marketing teams
• Working in conjunction with the Finance team to management payment processes to prevent delays
• Partnering with the Retail Manager to provide the warehouse team with all necessary information prior to stock deliveries

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience as a Production Manager or in a senior production role within the fashion industry (luxury sector preferred).
• Strong knowledge of garment technology and technical design processes.
• Excellent supplier and manufacturer negotiation skills.
• Experience working with a wide range of fabrics and trims, including luxury and heritage materials.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant production management software.

Key Attributes

• Highly organised and deadline driven.
• Excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• Problem-solver with a proactive mindset.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• Passion for luxury fashion, heritage craftsmanship, and quality.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (based on experience)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Staff discount on Really Wild Clothing collections
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, growing luxury brand with heritage at its heart