Production Manager

As Production Manager at 16Arlington, you will oversee the end-to-end execution of the seasonal production cycle, ensuring timely delivery, exceptional quality, and adherence to margin targets. You will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, supplier collaboration, and continuous process improvement within a fast-paced luxury fashion environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Planning & Execution: Develop and lead the seasonal production schedule, ensuring timely ordering of raw materials and fabrics and sample approvals. Allocate production across factories to meet delivery timelines and margin goals. Raise and manage all supplier purchase orders (POs), ensuring capacity is secured in advance. Create seasonal CPs to align dates cross-functionally and maintain on-time deliveries. Monitor and report on key milestones across sampling, grading, QC, and logistics, issuing delivery updates to stakeholders. Make bulk raw material bookings for fabric and trims, maintaining the production schedule.
• Cost & Margin Management: Negotiate raw material and manufacturing costs to optimize product margins. Track and manage all production-related spending, ensuring alignment with business signatories. Conduct end-of-season margin analysis and reconciliation, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Supplier & Vendor Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers. Ensure all sourcing agreements are in place prior to production commencement. Collaborate with suppliers to uphold quality standards and resolve any production issues.
• Tech Packs, Sampling & Fittings: In collaboration with the development and design teams, oversee the creation and accuracy of detailed tech packs. Manage the launch and tracking of production samples, ensuring alignment with critical path timelines. Coordinate and lead fit sessions, including production handovers and PPS (Pre‑Production Sample) fittings, ensuring all feedback is actioned and communicated effectively to suppliers. Ensure all sample approvals are completed in line with production deadlines and quality expectations.
• Quality Control & Compliance: Oversee quality control processes to ensure all products meet 16Arlington’s standards. Proactively manage and resolve quality issues and production delays. Stay abreast of the changing regulatory landscape in all selling regions, ensuring that products are updated as necessary to maintain global compliance.
• Logistics and Stock Management: Book and track all shipments of raw materials from suppliers to UK, Europe, and Far‑East based factories. Manage finished goods deliveries from factory to UK‑based warehouse, monitor shipments and raise ASN’s. Allocate stock to Wholesale and e‑commerce sales orders, communicating discrepancies with the warehouse and internal teams.
• Team Leadership & Coordination: Manage and mentor the Production Coordinator, providing clear direction, support, and development opportunities. Delegate tasks effectively while ensuring alignment with overall production goals and timelines. Foster a collaborative and proactive working environment, encouraging ownership and accountability within the team.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product Development, Technical, Sales, and Finance teams to align production with business objectives. Support cash flow planning and budget forecasting for seasonal and special projects. Communicate production risks and updates to senior management in a timely manner.

Experience & Skills Required

• 5+ years in production management within the luxury RTW (Ready‑to‑Wear) sector.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills with a track record of building effective supplier relationships.
• Deep understanding of garment construction, pattern cutting, grading, and some technical knowledge of fabrics.
• Highly organized with a detail‑oriented mindset and a commitment to delivering excellence.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and experienced using Zedonk.
• Capable of making decisions independently.
• Positive, hands‑on, “can‑do” attitude with excellent interpersonal skills.