At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee production operations, ensuring timely delivery and quality of our premium activewear.
- Company: Thrivin, a fast-growing women's activewear brand focused on empowerment and body confidence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant community dedicated to quality and innovation.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in the activewear industry.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in apparel production with strong negotiation and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Thrivin is a premium women’s activewear brand built around a simple belief: when you look good, you feel powerful. Founded in 2023, we design sculpting, body-confidence-boosting gymwear, seamless leggings, sports bras, flares, and shorts, crafted from performance fabrics that move with you through every workout and every errand. We’ve grown fast, our community is fiercely loyal, and we’re just getting started. We’re scaling our operations team and looking for a Production Manager who can bring the same precision and care to our supply chain that our customers expect from our product.
THE ROLE
The Production Manager is the operational backbone of Thrivin’s supply chain. Reporting directly to the COO, this person owns everything that happens after design is approved: PO issuance, factory coordination, inbound logistics, and the hand-off to our warehouse. Our Tech Design team handles tech packs and specs. Your job is to take that baton and make sure every unit lands on time, on cost, and exactly to standard. This is a hands-on, execution-focused role, built for someone who thrives in the details, stays ten steps ahead of problems, and takes real pride in a clean, on-time delivery.
WHAT YOU’LL OWN
- Issue, track, and close all purchase orders across domestic and international factories
- Allocate styles to vendors based on capability, category fit, capacity, and cost, particularly for performance knits, seamless, and compression fabrications
- Maintain real-time WIP reports across all open production; surface risks to the COO before they become problems
- Own T&A calendars from bulk fabric approval through final delivery; enforce milestone accountability across the factory base
- Coordinate pre-production and TOP (Top of Production) approvals in lockstep with the Tech Design team
- Negotiate seasonal pricing with factories to protect margin targets without compromising quality
Inbound Logistics & Freight
- Own end-to-end inbound logistics: coordinate freight forwarders on routing, booking, and import documentation
- Manage shipping schedules to hit committed in-warehouse dates; build contingency plans when disruptions hit
- Track all inbound shipments and deliver weekly delivery status updates to internal stakeholders
- Ensure all customs documentation, HTS classifications, and compliance requirements are accurate and complete
- Serve as the primary point of contact between production and the warehouse/3PL team
- Communicate inbound shipment details ahead of receiving: style breakdowns, colorways, carton counts, pack configs, and labeling requirements
- Submit accurate ASNs and advance shipping documentation on time, every time
- Partner with warehouse on discrepancy resolution, short ships, overages, damage claims
- Share ongoing production ETAs and status updates to support inventory planning and replenishment ops
Finance & PO Reconciliation
- Partner with accounting to reconcile all open POs; ensure factory invoices are verified and payouts processed accurately
- Maintain a seasonal cost tracker and report margin performance against targets to the COO
- Maintain active relationships with existing factory partners; hold them accountable to quality, lead time, and communication standards
- Source and vet new manufacturing partners as Thrivin’s product range expands, with particular focus on performance and seamless knit specialists
- Maintain vendor scorecards tracking on-time delivery rate, quality performance, and cost trends
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- 6+ years in apparel production operations, with clear ownership of POs, T&As, and factory management
- Experience with performance, activewear, or athleisure fabrications - seamless, compression knits, and moisture-wicking materials strongly preferred
- Hands-on freight and logistics experience: you’ve worked with forwarders, managed inbound timelines, and handled import docs
- Direct experience coordinating with a 3PL or warehouse team on inbound receiving, ASN submissions, and inventory discrepancies
- Background with DTC-first or fast-scaling brands is a strong plus
- Organization - your WIP reports are airtight and your inbox is under control
- A clear, proactive communicator with factories, logistics partners, and internal teams
- Strong negotiator who pushes back on vendors without burning bridges
- Proficient in Excel / Google Sheets; comfortable with ERP, PLM, or production tracking systems
- Experience with ApparelMagic or who is familiar with the system is a plus
- Solutions-first mindset: you don’t surface problems without a plan to fix them
- Passionate about product quality and brand integrity, you care as much about the final garment as we do
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Supply Chain, Apparel Manufacturing, Business, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
Production Manager in Guildford employer: Thrivin
At Thrivin, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that champions the empowerment of women through our premium activewear. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and growth, offering employees ample opportunities for professional development while being part of a rapidly scaling brand. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a supportive environment where every team member's contributions are valued, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Thrivin and its products. Understand their values and what makes them tick. This way, you can show how your experience aligns perfectly with their mission and needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in production management can help Thrivin scale its operations. Highlight your hands-on experience and problem-solving mindset to stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 the Thrivin team.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Production Manager role. Highlight your experience with POs, factory management, and logistics. We want to see how your skills align with what Thrivin is all about!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for activewear and how your background makes you the perfect fit for Thrivin. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your experiences—tell us how you’ve tackled challenges in production or logistics. We love a solutions-first mindset, so give us examples of how you’ve made things work!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thrivin
✨Know Your Fabrics
Make sure you brush up on the different types of performance fabrics, especially seamless and compression materials. Being able to discuss how these fabrics impact production and customer satisfaction will show your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Master the Details
As a Production Manager, attention to detail is key. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience where your meticulous nature helped avoid potential issues in the supply chain. This will demonstrate that you can thrive in the details, just like Thrivin expects.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You’ll need to coordinate with various teams, so be ready to share how you’ve effectively communicated with factories, logistics partners, and internal teams in the past. Highlighting your proactive communication style will resonate well with Thrivin’s operational needs.
✨Be a Problem Solver
Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in production and how you tackled them. Thrivin values a solutions-first mindset, so come equipped with examples of how you’ve turned potential problems into successful outcomes.
