We are looking for a Production Manager to take ownership of our Whatnot inventory production and make sure our hosts have enough high-quality, show-ready inventory to consistently run 4 live shows per day, Monday-Friday. This is a hands-on working management position. You will be expected to work directly with inventory while also organizing the production process and holding the production workflow accountable.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Whatnot Production Plan and prepare inventory for upcoming Whatnot shows. Pull inventory from our existing categorized warehouse Gaylords. Select pieces that meet Retro Ape's quality standards and fit the scheduled show/category. Inspect, organize, and prepare inventory before it reaches the hosts. Build complete show batches so hosts can walk into a show with everything ready to sell. Maintain an inventory buffer so we are never scrambling to prepare a show at the last minute. Organize inventory by show and selling order. Identify high-value or high-demand pieces that should be prioritized for Whatnot. Production Management Create daily and weekly production priorities. Maintain a clear schedule of upcoming shows and inventory requirements. Track how many shows are fully prepared and ready to go. Communicate with Whatnot hosts regarding upcoming inventory needs. Identify production bottlenecks and solve them before they affect the live schedule. Make sure production stays ahead of the live shows rather than working one show at a time. Maintain organization and cleanliness throughout the Whatnot production area. Inventory & Sorting Assist with sorting new incoming inventory when needed. Sort new inventory into our existing category Gaylords. Identify premium pieces during the sorting process that may be better suited for Whatnot. Maintain accurate organization of inventory so pieces can be found quickly when needed. Work with the warehouse/wholesale team when inventory needs to be moved or located. Team Leadership Direct the daily work of production staff when applicable. Set clear expectations and priorities. Make sure assigned production work is completed on schedule. Hold production staff accountable for quality, speed, and organization. Communicate problems or staffing needs directly to ownership. Work closely with the Whatnot hosts, warehouse/wholesale lead, and shipper.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
The Production Manager's primary objective is simple: Our Whatnot hosts should always have enough quality inventory to run our scheduled shows without scrambling.
Success will be measured by:
Shows fully prepared ahead of schedule. Consistent inventory quality. Maintaining a multi-show inventory buffer. Production staying ahead of the live schedule. Efficient use of existing warehouse inventory. Minimal last-minute searching or preparation. Keeping the Whatnot schedule running consistently.
EXPECTATIONS
Fast-paced work environment. Strong organizational skills. Ability to work independently without constant supervision. Comfortable working on your feet and handling clothing inventory throughout the day. Strong attention to detail. Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. Leadership experience is preferred but not required. Previous experience with vintage clothing, resale, wholesale, Whatnot, or warehouse production is a major plus. Must be reliable and willing to take ownership of the position.
IMPORTANT
This is not a desk-only management position. You will be expected to physically pull, inspect, organize, and prepare inventory while managing the overall production pipeline. The goal is to build a system where Production stays ahead → Hosts sell → Shipper fulfills → Production replenishes the pipeline. If you are organized, fast, hands-on, and capable of taking ownership of a production operation, we want to hear from you.