Production Manager - Cut and Sewing Manufacturing (Turnout Gear)

RICOCHET MANUFACTURING•Philadelphia, PA

31d

About The Position

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the cut and sew operations for turnout gear manufacturing, ensuring efficient production flow, adherence to quality and safety standards, and achievement of productivity targets. This role demands strong leadership, deep knowledge of textile manufacturing, and a commitment to continuous improvement in a regulated environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field (preferred).
5+ years of experience in apparel or textile manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
Proven track record of managing production flow and achieving productivity targets.
Strong understanding of garment construction, sewing techniques, and textile properties.
Familiarity with NFPA standards and PPE compliance.
Proficient in production planning software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
Must have the ability to communicate in Spanish, written and reading the language.

Nice To Haves

Experience in turnout gear or protective clothing manufacturing strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and monitor the daily production schedule to ensure optimal workflow across cutting, sewing, and finishing stations.
Balance labor and machine capacity to meet production goals while minimizing bottlenecks and downtime.
Implement and maintain visual management tools (e.g., production boards, takt time tracking) to monitor real-time progress and adjust resources as needed.
Collaborate with engineering and planning teams to streamline layout and process flow for maximum throughput.
Set clear productivity targets for each production line and monitor performance against KPIs such as units per labor hour, first-pass yield, and on-time delivery.
Analyze production data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
Lead daily production meetings to review performance, address issues, and align teams on priorities.
Develop and execute action plans to recover from missed targets or delays.
Supervise and mentor team leads, sewing operators, cutters, and support staff.
Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to improve individual and team output.
Promote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
Ensure all garments meet NFPA 1971 standards and internal quality benchmarks.
Work closely with QA and technical teams to resolve defects and implement corrective actions.
Monitor material usage and coordinate with procurement to ensure timely availability of fabrics, trims, and components.
Minimize waste and manage scrap reduction initiatives.
Enforce safety protocols and maintain a clean, organized work environment.
Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and internal safety policies.
Prepare and present weekly and monthly production reports to senior leadership.
Communicate effectively across departments to align production with sales forecasts and customer delivery timelines.