Production Manager

Position Overview

The Production Manager will oversee the end-to-end production process for licensed apparel and related merchandise within the Theme Parks division. This role is responsible for managing vendor relationships, production calendars, costing, quality, and on-time delivery for programs tied to theme park, resort, and destination retail environments. The ideal candidate brings strong apparel production experience, understands licensed-product requirements, and can manage fixed launch dates and complex product details in a fast-paced setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full production lifecycle from order placement through final delivery across apparel and related merchandise categories, including knits, wovens, outerwear, and cut-and-sew products.
• Partner closely with Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Licensing, Sales, and Planning teams to align on product specifications, approvals, costing, and delivery requirements.
• Own and maintain Time and Action calendars, ensuring samples, approvals, testing, production milestones, and shipments remain on schedule for seasonal launches and special events.
• Communicate daily with overseas factories and vendors to track production status, resolve issues, and maintain compliance with quality, delivery, and licensed-product standards.
• Manage production capacity and allocate orders strategically across vendors based on capabilities, lead times, quality performance, and cost.
• Ensure products meet customer-specific requirements, including artwork approvals, branding, packaging, ticketing, testing, and delivery guidelines.
• Partner with Quality, Compliance, and Licensing teams to uphold product integrity, safety, testing, and intellectual property requirements.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through negotiation, material alternatives, process improvements, and vendor optimization without compromising design intent or quality.
• Troubleshoot production challenges, including material delays, fit or construction issues, approval changes, quality concerns, and shipment risks.
• Collaborate with logistics and internal account teams to support on-time shipping and delivery against firm launch and in-store dates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Apparel Production, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
• 5-8+ years of experience in apparel or consumer-product production; experience supporting licensed, theme park, resort, specialty, or high-volume retail programs is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, trims, embellishments, packaging, and apparel production processes.
• Proven experience managing overseas vendors and factories from development through production and final delivery.
• Ability to manage multiple programs, styles, approvals, and fixed launch dates in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with PLM, ERP, or production-tracking systems preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across Design, Licensing, Product Development, Technical Design, Sales, Quality, and Logistics teams.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

• You thrive in a fast-paced production environment with firm launch dates and multiple approval stages.
• You are proactive, solutions-oriented, highly organized, and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• You understand the precision, quality, and brand requirements involved in licensed and destination retail production.
• You build strong vendor relationships while holding partners accountable for cost, quality, compliance, and delivery.
• You balance creative intent, customer requirements, cost, quality, and speed to market in your decision-making.