Production Manager

​About Form Department

Form Department is a design-forward product development and manufacturing agency specializing in custom apparel, accessories, and packaging. We partner with visionary brands to bring thoughtful, elevated products to life—from concept through production. As a female-founded, sustainability-driven company, we are committed to ethical manufacturing, responsible materials, and exceptional attention to detail throughout every stage of development.

The Role

​We are seeking an experienced, highly organized, and solutions-driven Production Manager to oversee production across multiple client projects simultaneously. This is a fully on-site position (Monday–Friday) based in Los Angeles. We are open to either full-time or part-time candidates, depending on experience and qualifications.

The Production Manager is responsible for owning the production lifecycle from development handoff through final delivery, ensuring products are manufactured efficiently, on schedule, within budget, and to Form Department's quality standards. This individual will manage vendor and factory relationships, oversee production timelines, coordinate cross-functional teams, and proactively solve challenges before they impact production.

Success in this role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong technical knowledge of apparel manufacturing, and the ability to confidently manage multiple production schedules in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the production lifecycle across multiple apparel and accessory projects simultaneously.
• Manage production calendars, ensuring all milestones, approvals, and shipping deadlines are achieved.
• Coordinate seamless handoffs from the Product Development team into production.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international factories, vendors, suppliers, and production partners.
• Communicate daily with factories regarding production status, approvals, technical questions, timelines, and issue resolution.
• Track work-in-progress across all active production orders and provide regular internal production updates.
• Review Bills of Materials, production specifications, and technical packages prior to production release.
• Ensure all fabrics, trims, labels, packaging, and production materials are received and approved before manufacturing begins.
• Coordinate production approvals across internal teams prior to factory release.
• Manage Top of Production approvals and verify production accurately reflects approved samples and specifications.
• Monitor production progress and proactively identify risks, delays, quality concerns, or potential cost impacts.
• Own production issue resolution from factory notification through final corrective action.
• Review production samples, TOP samples, factory photos, and finished goods to ensure quality standards are met.
• Coordinate quality control inspections and ensure products meet Form Department's quality expectations before shipment.
• Partner with logistics and fulfillment teams to coordinate production deliveries and outbound shipments.
• Visit local vendors, factories, warehouses, and production partners as needed to oversee production, conduct quality inspections, resolve manufacturing issues, and maintain strong working relationships.
• Coordinate the movement of samples, production materials, trims, labels, packaging, and finished goods between local partners when necessary to keep production on schedule.
• Maintain accurate production trackers, purchase orders, vendor records, and production documentation.
• Monitor production costs, identify potential variances, and communicate budget impacts to leadership.
• Develop, refine, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve production efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Recommend process improvements that optimize timelines, factory communication, and overall production performance.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in apparel production, manufacturing, sourcing, or production management.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, apparel manufacturing, quality assurance, and production workflows.
• Experience managing domestic and overseas factories and vendor relationships.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple production calendars and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and time management skills.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly detail-oriented with outstanding follow-through and accountability.
• Experience using production trackers, spreadsheets, ERP systems, or project management software.
• Comfortable reviewing garments for construction, workmanship, fit, and production quality.
• Strong understanding of apparel materials, trims, labeling, packaging, and production processes.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle required. This role requires regular local travel to vendors, factories, warehouses, and production partners throughout the Los Angeles area.