Production Manager HTT Headwear Ltd. — Murrieta, CA Full-Time | Exempt Position Summary The Production Manager leads HTT's end-to-end production workflow across apparel, headwear, bags, and promotional products. This position coordinates internal teams, overseas factories, and domestic vendors to move programs from specifications and sampling through approvals, bulk production, quality control, and final delivery. The Manager is accountable for on-time execution, product accuracy, vendor performance, clear communication, and cost-conscious decisions. The role proactively identifies and mitigates production risks before they affect quality, budget, or customer delivery. Direct Supervision & Accountability This position directly supervises the Technical Specifications & Sample Quality Specialist and is responsible for ensuring that the Specialist's work is completed accurately, completely, and on time. Set priorities, deadlines, and clear performance expectations for technical specifications, Tech Packs, sample measurements, quality evaluations, and recordkeeping. Review workload and progress regularly; follow up on missing information, pending samples, approvals, discrepancies, and overdue tasks. Verify the accuracy and completeness of technical PO details, measurements, tolerances, materials, trims, packaging, decoration, sample notes, and quality findings before release or approval. Coach, support, and hold the Specialist accountable for timely communication, organized records, and consistent compliance with HTT and customer requirements. Escalate or correct errors and delays promptly, assign corrective actions, and confirm completion. Key Responsibilities Production Planning, Tracking & Execution Manage active production programs from development and sampling through final shipment. Maintain accurate timelines, approvals, and WIP tracking; provide early warning when delivery, cost, or quality is at risk. Confirm production readiness before bulk release, including approved specifications, samples, materials, testing, packaging, and required documentation. Resolve delays, discrepancies, change orders, capacity issues, and delivery challenges with practical corrective plans. Vendor, Factory & Cost Management Coordinate with overseas factories and domestic vendors across multiple product categories. Manage vendor performance for quality, cost, delivery, compliance, communication, and responsiveness. Ensure suppliers follow HTT's vendor approval, quality, testing, and documentation requirements. Make budget-conscious decisions by validating costs, identifying cost risks, reducing avoidable rework and expedited freight, and recommending practical alternatives without compromising approved requirements Proactively identify production challenges and develop mitigation plans, backup options, and corrective actions before customer commitments are affected. Product Development, Technical Documentation & Quality Oversee development of new and existing products from concept, costing, and sampling through production launch. Ensure a complete, accurate, and current Tech Pack is available for each item crossing the Production desk before costing, sampling, or production release. Review samples, materials, trims, decoration, packaging, measurements, construction, fit, finish, and quality results before approval or bulk production. Maintain reliable production, procurement, specification, sample, material, and supplier records. Document recurring problems, drive corrective action, and improve processes to prevent repeat issues. Communication & Cross-Functional Support Serve as the primary production liaison for Sales Account Managers and coordinate closely with Purchasing, Marketing, Logistics, Warehouse, and leadership. Provide clear, concise, and timely updates on sampling, approvals, WIP, quality findings, risks, corrective actions, and shipment timelines. Translate factory and technical information into accurate, customer-ready summaries. Keep stakeholders informed of decisions, responsibilities, deadlines, changes, and unresolved risks. Process Improvement & Team Leadership Develop, document, maintain, and improve production procedures, tracking systems, standards, and best practices. Prioritize department workload, assign responsibilities, monitor follow-through, and reinforce accountability. Promote a proactive, solution-focused, collaborative, and cost-conscious production culture. Perform other production-related duties as assigned. Key Performance Measures On-time sampling, approvals, production, and delivery. Accuracy and timeliness of production timelines, WIP updates, Tech Packs, specifications, and PO documentation. Quality and specification compliance; timely identification and resolution of defects and risks. Completion, accuracy, and timeliness of the Technical Specifications & Sample Quality Specialist's assigned work. Vendor reliability, responsiveness, cost control, and corrective-action effectiveness. Reduction of avoidable rework, delays, expedited costs, and repeat production issues. Clarity, consistency, and timeliness of communication with internal teams. Qualifications & Core Skills 3+ years of experience in production, sourcing, product development, apparel/textiles, quality control, or supply chain; leadership or supervisory experience preferred. Experience working with international factories, with China and/or Vietnam experience preferred. Working knowledge of product construction, materials, measurements, tolerances, costing, and decoration methods such as embroidery, screen print, and heat transfer. Strong vendor management, negotiation, planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple programs, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Clear written and verbal communication; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and production tracking/documentation tools. Bachelor's degree in Apparel, Textiles, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred, or equivalent practical experience. Position Impact The Production Manager protects HTT's customer commitments and profitability by ensuring production is accurate, organized, cost-conscious, and on schedule. Through hands-on oversight, strong vendor management, direct supervision, and early risk mitigation, this role supports dependable quality, efficient execution, and continuous operational improvement.

Pay:

$26.39 - $31.78 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person