Production Manager - Offline Apparel and Aerie Sweaters

American Eagle Outfitters • New York, NY

317d • Remote

About The Position

POSITION TITLE: Production Manager REPORTS TO: Production Director POSITION SUMMARY: Manage information for development of new styles from concept to production via interaction with internal and external cross functional partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or equivalent
• 5 years related experience; Sweaters experience is preferred
• Ability to efficiently prioritize multiple tasks for department members
• Must possess negotiation skills
• Capable of training, developing and managing team
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment - mainly working in the office 3 to 4 days a week with the team and remote work from home 1 to 2 days a week

Responsibilities

• Partner with Design on initial development
• Oversee raw material development to meet price, aesthetic, and quality needs
• Ensure raw materials are executable; consider fabric platforming possibilities
• Oversee raw materials testing and creation and maintenance of raw materials library
• Partner with Design to drive trends/concepts to executable samples
• Work with Design to select fabrics and trims to meet Design aesthetics, price points, and quality needs
• Manage compliance to T&A calendar in conjunction with major milestones
• Manage development ratios to agreed to levels while meeting roadmap needs
• Formulate sourcing strategy by partnering with Production Director before placing sample request in overseas factories
• Allocate samples and source raw materials from appropriate factories and mills
• Actively participate in key milestone meetings with Design, Production, and Merchants
• Work on alternative solutions so garments meet cost requirements from initial thru final costing
• Facilitate and lead cross-functional interaction to drive decision making process, remove road blocks and bring resolution
• Attend key meetings to facilitate and drive toward resolution: Cross Functional Team (CFT), QA touch base and TOP Review
• Execute sourcing strategy at a seasonal level
• Own, monitor and manage factory allocation
• Elevate concerns and issues to supervisor as needed
• Forecast and hindsight Vendor / Agent capacity and capabilities
• Manage external partners' relationships by communicating and partnering with them on: Seasonal allocation strategy; production, product or costing challenges, initiatives or issues; factory loading / capacity planning
• Manage internal partners' relationships by communicating and partnering with them on: seasonal IMU goals, volume, air budget and trigger strategy; seasonal allocation strategy and booking calendar; costing and TNA challenges as well as production or product issues
• Own seasonal costing activities encompassing: Securing and communicating IMU goals to team; reviewing and analyzing costs identifying opportunities for improvement and taking action based on IMU results; elevating costing issues to supervisor and executing to direction; communicating IMU results to cross functional partners; confirming costing at style level
• Enforce that TNA calendar and seasonal milestones are being met and elevate issues to supervisor as needed
• Review escalated PSR issues and determine action steps which may include: Giving direction to coordinator to execute, reaching out to Vendor / Agent to work on solutions and / or escalating to supervisor
• Visit facilities to monitor production, evaluate capacity and compliance as needed
• Train and develop designated production staff
• Ensure initiatives, tools and systems are being implemented and maintained
• Monitor use of systems over time
• Perform other duties as required

Benefits

• Health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental)
• Wellness benefits
• 401(k) retirement benefits
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee stock purchase program
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Parental leave and benefits
• Discretionary bonuses and other incentives

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree