Production Manager (Sports Apparel Manufacturing)

• Plan, control, and manage the overall garment production process, including cutting, sewing, finishing, and packing, to achieve production targets and on-time delivery.
• Develop production plans, schedules, and manpower allocation across all production lines to meet customer requirements and OTIF targets.
• Lead, coach, and manage production supervisors, line leaders, and a production workforce of 500+ employees.
• Monitor and analyze key production KPIs, including output, downtime, defect rates, efficiency, productivity, and cost per unit.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other improvement methodologies to reduce waste, downtime, and production bottlenecks.
• Ensure production activities comply with quality, safety, customer, and social compliance requirements.
• Coordinate closely with Sourcing/Procurement, QA/QC, and Logistics teams to ensure material availability and smooth production flow.
• Manage the production budget, monitor manufacturing costs, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising product quality.
• Prepare and present production performance reports to senior management, including corrective actions and improvement plans.
• Oversee production planning and control systems, including ERP/MRP/MES, and utilize production data to support operational decision-making.
• Manage workforce planning, performance management, training, and skills development within the production team.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration between Production, Sourcing/Procurement, Quality, and Logistics teams.
• Lead problem-solving and make timely operational decisions to address production issues while maintaining quality, cost, and delivery targets.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or higher in Industrial Engineering, Industrial Management, Manufacturing, Textile, Garment, or a related field. Minimum 5 years of experience in production management, preferably in sportswear or garment manufacturing. Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in garment manufacturing processes, including cutting, sewing, finishing, and packing. Knowledge of sportswear, activewear, or technical/performance apparel manufacturing processes and requirements. Proven experience in production planning, scheduling, capacity management, and achieving on-time delivery targets. Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience managing large production teams and developing supervisors and line leaders. Practical experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies. Knowledge of quality control systems, including AQL sampling, in-line inspection, final inspection, and defect reduction. Good understanding of quality, safety, and social compliance standards such as BSCI, WRAP, or similar standards relevant to the garment industry. Experience managing production KPIs, OEE, line balancing, productivity, and data-driven performance improvement. Experience with ERP/MRP/MES or other production planning and manufacturing systems. Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills. Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage production challenges in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills. Experience in production line restructuring, expansion, or capacity scaling would be an advantage. Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification would be an advantage. Direct experience in sportswear, activewear, or technical apparel manufacturing would be an advantage.