How to Be Fashion Production Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 23, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Fashion production managers are responsible for overseeing the production of apparel and accessories from the initial design stage to the delivery of the final product. They play a key role in ensuring that the items meet the desired quality standards and are delivered on time. Poor production management can lead to delays in production, higher costs, and dissatisfied customers.

To prevent this, fashion production managers must have a comprehensive understanding of the entire production process, including the quality control measures, sourcing of materials, and distribution. They must also have excellent communication and organizational skills to ensure successful coordination with vendors and other departments. Overall, fashion production managers must possess a range of skills to ensure that the production process is completed on schedule and within budget.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a fashion production manager, a bachelors degree in fashion or business is preferred. Many employers will require a degree in business management or fashion design. Coursework should include classes in fashion merchandising, marketing, and accounting.
Gain Experience. Hands-on experience is often necessary to become a production manager. Applicants should seek out positions as a production assistant, sales associate, or other entry-level positions in the fashion industry.
Enhance Your Skills. It is important for fashion production managers to stay up-to-date on the latest fashion trends and production techniques. Take courses or seminars to stay informed about the industry.
Obtain a Certification. Consider becoming certified by the National Association of Fashion and Apparel Professionals. This certification can demonstrate a higher level of knowledge in the field and make you more appealing to potential employers.
Network. Networking is a great way to meet other professionals in the industry and learn about job opportunities. Attend fashion shows, conferences, and other industry events to meet people and make connections.

The role of a Fashion Production Manager is critical in ensuring that a fashion line is reliable and capable. Without a Production Manager, there would be no efficient production process, resulting in a lack of quality control and a decrease in customer satisfaction. A Fashion Production Manager must coordinate the various aspects of production, such as design, fabric procurement, manufacturing, and distribution.

They must also ensure that all production meets the companys standards, while keeping costs to a minimum. By effectively managing the production process and keeping the quality of the product high, a Fashion Production Manager can ensure that the line is reliable and capable.

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Job Description

Develop and execute product development plans for assigned categories.
Manage production of apparel, accessories and other fashion products.
Ensure product quality and cost effectiveness across all stages of production.
Analyze and review product cost, quality and delivery performance.
Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors.
Negotiate production contracts, timelines and prices.
Monitor product development progress and evaluate progress against set goals.
Track orders and shipments from vendors to ensure schedule and budget adherence.
Ensure compliance with safety, health and environmental regulations.
Supervise staff involved in the production process.
Identify areas of improvement and suggest corrective actions.
Forecast future production needs and optimize inventory levels.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong organizational and planning skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to multitask and prioritize workload
Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
Knowledge of the fashion industry and production processes
Creativity and problem solving skills
Budgeting and financial management experience
Negotiation and vendor management skills
Ability to manage tight deadlines
Knowledge of fashion trends, fabrics, and materials
Knowledge of business software, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
Understanding of garment construction and quality control

Having a keen eye for detail and a strong eye for fashion is essential for a fashion production manager. The ability to identify quality fabrics, colors, trends, and silhouettes is mandatory in order to stay abreast of current fashion trends. An effective production manager must also have an understanding of production processes and be able to clearly communicate with designers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the production process.

a fashion production manager must be organized, resourceful, and well-versed in the latest industry software. With all of these skills combined, a successful fashion production manager can help ensure that designs are executed with precision and efficiency, resulting in the highest quality product for their clients.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in fashion production management?
How would you describe your ability to manage a team and coordinate activities?
What strategies do you use to ensure production runs efficiently?
What techniques do you use to manage multiple ongoing projects?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends?
What challenges have you faced in your previous fashion production roles?
How do you handle tight deadlines and competing priorities?
What strategies do you use to ensure quality control standards are met?
How have you worked with designers and vendors to ensure production timelines are met?
How have you used data and analytics to inform production decisions?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Excel. spreadsheet software used to store, organize and manipulate data (eg: creating budget sheets).
Adobe Photoshop. image editing software used to create and modify digital graphics (eg: retouching photos).
Adobe InDesign. desktop publishing software used to create publications such as magazines, newspapers, and books (eg: laying out a fashion magazine).
Adobe Illustrator. vector graphics creation and editing software used to produce digital illustrations (eg: fashion sketches).
Adobe Dreamweaver. web design software used to create and maintain websites (eg: creating content for fashion websites).
CAD (Computer-Aided Design). software used to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs for fashion products (eg: pattern making).
Project Management Software. tools used to manage, track, and report on the progress of production tasks (eg: tracking production deadlines).
Manufacturing Management Software. software used to manage the entire production process from product design to delivery (eg: controlling production costs).
Social Media Management Tools. tools used to schedule and manage social media content for fashion brands (eg: managing influencer campaigns).
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). software used to manage the entire fashion production process from design to delivery (eg: managing inventory levels).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA)
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
Fashion Group International (FGI)
International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)
National Retail Federation (NRF)
Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)
Textile Exchange
The Association of Sewn Products Companies (ASPC)
The International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives (IACDE)
The International Textile Alliance (ITA)

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Common Important Terms

Design Development. The process of taking an initial concept for a product and further developing it into a commercial design.
Patternmaking. The process of creating a pattern for a garment, based on measurements, body type, and intended use.
Grading. The process of adjusting the pattern measurements to create a range of sizes.
Marker Making. The process of using software to create a layout of the pieces from the graded pattern that will be used to cut out fabric pieces.
Fabric Cutting. The process of cutting out the pieces from the marker layout.
Sewing. The process of assembling fabric pieces into a garment.
Finishing. The process of completing the garment by adding trimmings, hemming, etc.
Quality Control. The process of inspecting garments for defects and ensuring that quality standards are met.
Fit Modeling. The process of testing the garments on a fit model to ensure that the fit is accurate.
Production Scheduling. The process of planning out production timelines and assigning tasks to workers to ensure that deadlines are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of role does a Fashion Production Manager typically have?

A Fashion Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the production of fashion products including apparel, accessories, and footwear. This role involves managing the entire production process from product development to delivery, ensuring that production runs smoothly, on time and within budget.

What skills are required for a successful Fashion Production Manager?

A successful Fashion Production Manager should be highly organized and have strong communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills. They should also have an in-depth understanding of the fashion industry, product development and production processes, supply chain management, and quality assurance.

What are the typical duties of a Fashion Production Manager?

The typical duties of a Fashion Production Manager include developing production plans, overseeing the product development process, managing vendors and suppliers, managing production timelines and budgets, ensuring quality control, negotiating contracts, and coordinating with other internal departments.

How many people does a Fashion Production Manager typically manage?

A Fashion Production Manager typically manages a team of 10-15 people including designers, developers, vendors, and suppliers.

What qualifications are necessary to become a Fashion Production Manager?

A minimum of a bachelors degree in fashion design or related field is usually required to become a Fashion Production Manager. Additionally, some employers may require experience in product development and/or production management.