Production Manager

Role Overview

This leadership position sits at the exact point where creative design becomes a finished, sellable product. You will own the full manufacturing pipeline for premium fashion and leather goods, translating design specifications into workable production schedules while maintaining the craftsmanship expected from a luxury house. Your daily focus is on moving work through the workshop efficiently, keeping quality consistent, and ensuring that every delivery commitment is met without compromising on finish or detail.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production schedules that align with design release dates, sales orders, and client delivery windows.
• Lead and supervise workshop supervisors, production staff, and quality inspectors, providing clear direction and resolving floor-level bottlenecks.
• Own the supplier relationship process, from vetting and onboarding to evaluating performance on material quality, lead times, and cost compliance.
• Implement and enforce quality control checkpoints throughout production—from incoming materials to pre-shipment inspection—so the final product meets premium standards.
• Manage raw material and finished goods inventory levels, coordinating with procurement to prevent shortages or overstocking while protecting cash flow.
• Ensure workshop operations run in full compliance with Kenyan labour laws and OSHA 2007, including safe equipment handling, workplace ergonomics, and recordkeeping.
• Track production costs and budgets, identifying waste, inefficiencies, or yield issues while recommending process improvements.
• Report on key production metrics such as on-time delivery, defect rates, labour efficiency, and capacity utilisation to senior management.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of hands-on production management experience in premium or luxury fashion, garments, bags, or leather goods—not just mass-market apparel.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Fashion Design/Apparel Technology, Operations Management, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to run workshop teams, manage production budgets, and maintain a network of high-end suppliers.
• Deep technical knowledge of luxury garment construction, including premium fabric behaviour, high-end finishing techniques, pattern manipulation, and garment assembly tolerances.
• Working familiarity with Kenyan labour regulations and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA 2007), with a proven record of maintaining a compliant and safe workplace.
• Practical proficiency in production planning tools, Microsoft Excel (advanced level), and fashion-specific ERP systems for tracking orders, inventory, and shop-floor progress.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to make fast, data-informed decisions that keep production moving and clients satisfied.