Fashion Production Manager

Handle Recruitment are looking for an experienced freelance Fashion Production Manager to join an iconic streetwear brand as they relaunch in 2026!

About our client:
From London to the world. Our client started on a Portobello market stall in 1989 and quickly rose to prominence through British '90s rap and club culture, later becoming synonymous with the early 2000s grime scene. Recognised as the UK's first credible streetwear label, the brand fused subcultural aesthetics with bold, graphic-driven style. Early licensing in Japan (1991) and the US (1995) helped establish it as a global cult icon.
Now, in 2025, our client returns with a recalibrated vision through a new brand platform: City-to-City (C2C). Relaunching as a next-generation streetwear brand designed for today's dynamic marketplace, the brand is more international in both attitude and outlook-rooted in legacy but engineered for the present, setting the tempo for what's next.

East London - Hybrid
Freelance - Part time - 2/3 days a week
£250+ day rate

Role Overview:
The Freelance Production Manager will act as the central connector between the internal design team, product and brand strategists, merchandiser, and external factory network. They will oversee end-to-end product production, ensuring timelines, costs, and quality benchmarks are met, with oversight of sampling, tech packing, and factory communications. The role includes initiating and managing a clear design-to-production workflow across the Brand Lead, Product Consultant, Designer, and Junior Designer, tracking progress, attending key meetings, and taking ownership of follow-up actions.
This role suits a proactive, highly organised operator with deep apparel production experience and a strong global factory network, capable of managing rapid production cycles while maintaining quality and ethical sourcing standards.

Key Responsibilities:
Production Planning & Management

• Develop and manage production schedules to meet design, sampling, and launch deadlines.
• Source, vet, and manage manufacturers and suppliers, ensuring timely procurement and production.
• Oversee full production, ensuring quality, accuracy, and brand consistency.
• Identify and resolve production delays or bottlenecks, escalating when necessary.
• Coordinate key buy meetings, fit models, and ensure thorough documentation.

Sampling & Product Development

• Manage the end-to-end sampling process, including reference buys, protos, SMS, and PPS samples.
• Track sampling budgets and timelines.
• Work closely with design to ensure samples are delivered and reviewed on schedule.

Supplier & Manufacturer Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure high-quality, timely production.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms to optimise costs.
• Conduct quality checks and audits; scope and cross-sample new factory partners.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Bridge creative, merchandising, and brand teams to align vision with production realities.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on progress, risks, and solutions.
• Support teams in meeting deadlines across all product stages.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Oversee quality control, ensuring products meet design, fit, and construction standards.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, ethical sourcing, and sustainability guidelines.
• Maintain sustainability and documentation standards for all products and packaging.

Budget Management

• Monitor production and logistics budgets, keeping projects within financial parameters.
• Seek cost-effective solutions and process improvements.
• Support margin objectives via competitive supplier negotiations.

Reporting & Analysis

• Produce regular production status reports.
• Track KPIs to monitor efficiency, cost, and delivery adherence.
• Analyse processes to implement continuous improvements.

Experience & Skills:

• 5+ years' experience in apparel production management, ideally in streetwear, premium contemporary, or youth fashion.
• Proven track record managing end-to-end production across multiple SKUs, categories, and suppliers.
• Established network of trusted manufacturers in the UK, Europe, and Asia.
• Strong technical knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, trims, finishing, and compliance.
• Proficient in production tracking systems and tech pack management.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and vendor relationship skills.
• Highly organised, solutions-driven, and able to thrive in a fast-paced start-up.
• Detail-oriented with appreciation for design integrity and streetwear culture.

Apply below today if you have the relevant skills!

Handle Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.