Production Manager/Supervisor - Sewing Manufacturing

Location:

Portland, Oregon Type:

Full-time Compensation:

Competitive salary based on experience + growth opportunities About Vanmade Gear Vanmade Gear is a fast-growing, premium soft goods manufacturing company based in Portland, Oregon. We design and build high-quality sewn products with a focus on craftsmanship, creativity, durability, and continuous improvement. Our shop is energetic, collaborative, and hands-on — the kind of place where people genuinely enjoy building cool products together and take pride in the work leaving the floor every day. As demand continues to grow, we are looking for a Production Manager who can help lead our manufacturing operations while keeping the shop organized, positive, efficient, and fun. We want someone who enjoys being part of a growing team, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and likes solving problems alongside good people. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced production environment, enjoys building systems and teams, communicates well with people, and takes pride in creating both operational excellence and a strong team culture. Position Overview The Production Manager will oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, production scheduling, workflow coordination, quality control, team leadership, and operational efficiency across the shop floor. This person will work closely with ownership and the production team to ensure products are built accurately, efficiently, and on schedule while maintaining Vanmade Gear's quality standards and company culture. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, calm under pressure, mechanically inclined, process-oriented, and comfortable managing people in a hands-on manufacturing environment. Key ResponsibilitiesProduction Operations Oversee daily production activities and shop floor operations Coordinate workflow across cutting, sewing, assembly, finishing, and packaging Build and manage production schedules to meet deadlines and shipment targets Monitor production output and identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies Ensure production goals are achieved safely and consistently Help implement scalable manufacturing systems and processes Team Leadership Supervise and support production staff Assist with hiring, onboarding, and training new team members Maintain accountability, productivity, and positive team culture Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management Lead by example with professionalism, organization, and strong work ethic Quality Control Maintain high standards for workmanship and consistency Inspect products and workflows for quality issues Develop and improve quality control procedures Troubleshoot production and construction problems Ensure finished products meet Vanmade Gear standards before shipment Inventory & Materials Coordinate material flow and shop organization Help manage inventory levels and production supplies Work with ownership to forecast material needs and avoid shortages Maintain clean, organized, and efficient workspaces Process Improvement Continuously improve production efficiency and workflow Develop SOPs Assist with shop layout optimization and operational scaling Help implement lean manufacturing principles where appropriate Track metrics related to production, quality, and efficiency QualificationsRequired 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, production supervision, or operations management Experience managing teams in a production environment Strong organizational and communication skills Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously Problem-solving mindset with strong attention to detail Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment Ability to maintain calm and professionalism under pressure Strong work ethic and reliability Preferred Experience in sewn products, soft goods, apparel, bags, outdoor gear, or related manufacturing Familiarity with industrial sewing operations Experience with lean manufacturing or process improvement Inventory management experience Mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting skills Experience scaling production in a growing company What Success Looks Like Production schedules are consistently met Product quality remains high as volume increases The production team operates efficiently and collaboratively Systems and workflows become more organized and scalable Bottlenecks and operational issues are proactively identified and solved Team morale and accountability remain strong Compensation & Benefits Competitive compensation based on experience Opportunity for advancement in a growing company Supportive, team-oriented work environment Fast-paced and creative shop atmosphere Direct impact on company growth and operations Paid time off and holidays Health benefits Employee discounts on products A workplace where your ideas and improvements actually matter Ideal Candidate Profile You are someone who enjoys building order out of chaos and takes ownership of outcomes. You understand both people and process, and you know how to balance speed, quality, and efficiency in a manufacturing environment. You are positive, approachable, and team-oriented. You enjoy working alongside others, helping people succeed, and creating an environment where the team can do great work together. You're hands-on, practical, solutions-oriented, and excited about being part of a growing company that makes awesome products.

Pay:

$70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance On-the-job training Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person