What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Costing Manager position at Pivot Apparel?
The Production Costing Manager is responsible for developing, analyzing, and maintaining accurate product costings across all apparel categories. This role ensures that production costs align with company margin goals and market pricing strategies. The position requires strong coordination with design, sourcing, merchandising, and finance teams, as well as close communication with overseas vendors to achieve the most competitive and efficient production costs.
Key Responsibilities
Costing Management
Prepare detailed cost breakdowns for all styles during development and production.
Analyze material, labor, freight, and overhead costs to ensure accurate landed pricing.
Validate vendor quotations and negotiate cost improvements where feasible.
Maintain costing libraries and databases by season, vendor, and region.
Vendor Collaboration & Negotiation
Work with overseas vendors (India, Vietnam, China, etc.) to obtain price quotes and negotiate cost savings.
Evaluate cost drivers by factory, including fabric efficiency, yield, and productivity.
Ensure consistency in cost structure and transparency from all suppliers.
Margin & Financial Analysis
Partner with merchandising and finance teams to ensure styles meet target margins.
Track cost trends and currency fluctuations to forecast pricing impacts.
Support management in price strategy and margin enhancement initiatives.
Process Improvement
Identify cost-saving opportunities in fabric sourcing, trims, and manufacturing methods.
Develop standard cost templates and implement cost tracking tools across departments.
Support implementation of PLM or ERP costing modules.
Cross-Functional Coordination
Collaborate with design and tech teams to review style complexity and cost implications.
Support production and logistics teams to validate freight, duty, and packaging costs.
Present regular cost comparison and margin analysis reports to leadership.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Production, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field.
5–8 years of experience in garment costing, sourcing, or production analysis.
Strong understanding of garment construction, factory cost structures, and import pricing.
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, cost modeling).
Experience with PLM or ERP systems preferred.