At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee product life cycle of natural activewear from concept to delivery.
- Company: Nero, a forward-thinking brand focused on sustainable activewear.
- Benefits: Equity opportunities, performance bonuses, and flexible work arrangements.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with growth potential and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and shape the future of sustainable fashion.
- Qualifications: 6-10 years in product development, strong negotiation skills, and tech-savvy.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Nero is hiring a Production + Sourcing Manager to oversee the full product life cycle of our all natural activewear range from concept to final delivery. This individual will be responsible for setting and maintaining the seasonal calendar and driving forward the execution and logistics in order to achieve overall business objectives. They'll lead sourcing and cost engineering across the range, making sure every product holds the quality bar and delivers on our mission to build the best activewear in the world from natural fibres.
Key Responsibilities
- Sourcing and Development: Source and develop products that meet quality standards, identifying cost solutions from initial development through final costing. Actively scout and qualify new fabric mills, finishers, trim suppliers, and garment manufacturers across Europe and Asia, building a deeper and more resilient supplier base for Nero. Ensure accurate and timely handover of tech packs and BOMs, and keep costing current and aligned with company targets across all styles. Own the critical path, maintaining it throughout the season. Track all rounds of sampling, and photo shoots, and attend fittings as needed.
- Fabric Ordering and PO's: Place all fabric orders across our mill partners, managing lead times, minimums, and quality specs end to end. Hold a working level of greige and core finished fabrics in stock so we are never gated by 120-day mill lead times on bestseller reorders. Forecast fabric consumption against the demand plan and place forward orders early enough that safety stock is always replenished before it runs out.
- Production and QC: Manage time and action calendars in partnership with our freelancers, holding vendors accountable to key deadlines. Lead vendor onboarding, communicate Nero's production and quality requirements, and track performance through seasonal vendor scorecards. Monitor shipment status, coordinate split PO’s by warehouse location, and schedule third-party in-line QC. Flag high-risk issues, quality, costing, or delivery, to the founder and cross-functional partners early. Continuously push for more efficient and sustainable production practices.
- Operations and Sustainability: Coordinate inbound shipments with freight forwarders and 3PLs, managing documentation through customs and communicating delivery status across the team. Create ASNs in the WMS ahead of deliveries and ensure packing lists reach the 3PL on time. Maintain accurate Style masters each season. Partner with Design and Technical Design on end-of-season hindsights to improve future costing, fit, and construction. Stay current on US and EU environmental regulations and support EPR compliance reporting.
- Collaboration and Communication: Reports to the founder, upholding quality standards, timelines, and industry best practices. Work closely with the whole team and keep everyone aligned on status and deadlines. Build strong relationships with manufacturing partners and conduct international vendor calls as needed. Show up to weekly and milestone meetings as an engaged, collaborative contributor.
Who you are: 6-10 years of experience in Product development or Production (Apparel & Clothing) - Luxury brand is a bonus. Strong cost negotiating skills combined with a detailed knowledge and understanding of garment construction and cost breakdown. Accountable, entrepreneurial, and proactive with a strong work ethic and can-do attitude. Must be tech-savvy; working with Microsoft Office, Acrobat, Google, Dropbox, Centric. Experience with Illustrator is preferred. Highly proficient with AI tools, Claude in particular. You use AI daily as a genuine force multiplier: drafting supplier comms, building tracking tools, stress-testing decisions, summarising complex info, and accelerating everything you do. We're an AI-native business and expect every hire to be the same. Ability to work on both long-lead and speed-to-market developments; agile and efficient while remaining detail-oriented. Highly organized and able to productively self-manage workloads and prioritize top deliverables.
How we work: In-office in Manchester with flexibility to work from home periodically. Collaborative, fast-paced, and deeply cross-functional.
Perks + Benefits: Opportunity for vested equity overtime. Performance bonus applied to specific KPI's.
Production & Sourcing Manager in Colchester employer: Nero
Nero is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and fast-paced work environment in Manchester, where innovation meets sustainability. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for vested equity and performance bonuses tied to key performance indicators, ensuring that our team members are rewarded for their contributions. Our commitment to using natural fibres and sustainable practices not only aligns with our mission but also empowers employees to make a meaningful impact in the activewear industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production & Sourcing Manager in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in production and sourcing. Include case studies of successful projects, especially those that demonstrate your cost negotiating skills and understanding of garment construction. This will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their mission and values, especially around sustainability and quality. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to building the best activewear.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Production & Sourcing Manager in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Production & Sourcing Manager role. Highlight your experience in sourcing, product development, and any relevant skills that align with our mission at Nero. We want to see how you can contribute to building the best activewear!
Show Off Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your tech-savviness! Mention your experience with tools like Microsoft Office, Google, and especially AI tools like Claude. We’re looking for someone who can leverage technology to enhance productivity, so let us know how you do that!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nero
✨Know Your Product Lifecycle
Make sure you understand the full product life cycle, especially in activewear. Be ready to discuss how you would manage everything from sourcing to delivery, and share examples of your past experiences in similar roles.
✨Showcase Your Sourcing Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with sourcing materials and managing supplier relationships. Highlight any specific fabric mills or manufacturers you've worked with, and be ready to discuss how you ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Savviness
Since this role requires being tech-savvy, brush up on the tools mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft Office and AI tools. Be prepared to explain how you've used technology to streamline processes or improve communication in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
This position involves working closely with various teams, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Discuss your approach to keeping everyone aligned on deadlines and how you handle challenges in a team setting.
