Production Manager

Contract type: Permanent, 40 hours per week

Location: The Fold’s Head office in Bermondsey. Hybrid working – 4 days per week in the office

The Fold is a British womenswear brand redefining modern luxury workwear for today’s career woman. With a multi-channel presence—led by e-commerce and with 2 London stores in Chelsea and the City, we’ve built a loyal global following particularly in the UK and US. We’re ready for further international growth expanding our mission to empower women worldwide to get up, dress up and show up!

Role Overview

We’re looking for an experienced Production Manager to lead and take ownership of end‑to‑end supply chain operations, ensuring product is delivered efficiently, on time, and to a consistently high standard.

You’ll oversee the full production lifecycle, from raw material management through to final delivery, building strong supplier relationships and driving cost efficiency without compromising on quality. Working closely with Buying, Design, Technical, and Finance, you’ll play a key role in ensuring alignment across teams and delivering against business priorities.

This role requires a proactive and commercially minded approach, with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, maintain operational control, and support the delivery of ESG and sustainability initiatives across the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

1. Raw Materials Management

You’ll take full ownership of raw material planning, sourcing, and availability, ensuring supply supports delivery timelines and cost targets

• Source and proactively counter‑source suppliers and raw material opportunities to optimise cost and flexibility
• Own raw material forecasting and requirement planning for main fabrics and linings
• Set up inventory on Netsuite, raise purchase orders, and confirm pricing and delivery terms
• Track bulk production status, chase approvals, and manage goods receipts
• Coordinate shipments and allocate materials across suppliers to maintain production flow
• Forecast core fabrics and book with mills; manage branding materials seasonally
• Resolve quality issues with mills, negotiating discounts or remakes as needed
• Partner with design on forecasts, target pricing, and jacquard placements

You’ll lead supplier performance and relationships, ensuring a stable, cost‑effective, and future‑proof supply base

• Source, vet, and onboard new suppliers, taking ownership of building a reliable network
• Conduct seasonal reviews of the supplier landscape, flagging risks such as tariffs, capacity constraints, or capability gaps
• Maintain supplier scorecards and perform risk analysis
• Run weekly supplier meetings covering planning, risk management, and status updates
• Manage supplier‑held inventory and optimise consumption to minimise stock risk
• Build strong, collaborative relationships through regular onsite engagement

3. Delivery & Production

You’ll take accountability for production progress, ensuring on‑time delivery and strong cross‑functional alignment

• Own T&A plans and track supplier performance against on‑time delivery targets
• Lead weekly QC and production tracker meetings, driving actions and follow‑ups
• Maintain accurate production trackers, including ex‑factory dates and delivery status
• Attend fittings and manage the sealing process to ensure readiness for production
• Oversee sampling progress, ensuring critical deadlines are met and materials are available
• Oversee colour approval to ensure alignment with colour palettes
• Work closely with our freight forwarder to book and arrange shipments to our warehouses for managed suppliers only

4. Costing & Finance

You’ll drive cost efficiency and financial accuracy across the production lifecycle

• Own costing scenarios, reviewing lay plans and challenging usage to optimise margins
• Manage tariff implications and landed cost calculations
• Lock pricing and maintain accurate cost data, BOMs, and CMT calculations within systems
• Track approved costings and ensure the range plan reflects accurate financial data
• Reconcile liabilities with accounts (H1/H2), support virtual audits, and maintain audit files
• Track supplier payments, chase invoices, and approve freight, duty, and production invoices
• Provide weekly payment views for budgeting working on outstanding invoices, future shipments or a H1/H2 forecast modeled from the range plan and delivery schedule

5. ECG & Compliance

You’ll take a proactive role in embedding ESG and compliance across the supply chain

• Lead ESG integration and Digital Product Passport initiatives
• Map Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers
• Own data consolidation and evaluate tools to support compliance
• Drive readiness for regulatory requirements, including 2027 obligations
• Develop SOPs and work cross‑functionally to embed compliance standards

Critical Path & Planning

You’ll own and evolve the critical path, ensuring alignment between supply chain and commercial priorities

• Manage and continuously refine the seasonal critical path
• Partner with Buying on supplier allocation, costs, deliveries, and trading opportunities
• Collaborate with Merchandising on delivery phasing, split shipments, and shipping modes
• Sense‑check the range plan for date accuracy and unit forecasting
• Adapt supply chain strategy in response to key style or collection changes

You’ll take responsibility for developing capability and ensuring strong execution within the team

• Manage and develop the Production Assistant, setting clear direction and expectations
• Hold regular check‑ins to maintain alignment and progress
• Oversee delivery tracking, sampling status, and adherence to the critical path

Ad Hoc Projects

You’ll take initiative in supporting wider business needs and improving processes

• Manage additional product requests such as uniforms and marketing garments
• Source and develop trims where required
• Troubleshoot system and process queries, supporting wider teams
• Manage freight forwarder relationships to ensure service and cost efficiency
• Create SOPs and contribute to system improvements and enhancements

About You

You’ll be a commercially minded and proactive production professional, confident taking ownership of supply chain operations and driving results in a fast‑paced environment, with:

• Proven experience in production, supply chain, or sourcing within fashion or apparel
• Strong understanding of raw material procurement, costing, and supplier negotiation
• Confident using systems such as NetSuite and production tracking tools
• Strong Excel skills, with the ability to manage and interpret data to support decision‑making
• Experienced in managing supplier relationships, including performance tracking and risk assessment
• Knowledge of ESG frameworks and sustainability initiatives (preferred)
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong communicator, comfortable working cross‑functionally with Buying, Design, Technical, and Finance
• Experience leading, mentoring, or developing more junior team members
• Proactive and solutions‑focused, with the confidence to take ownership and drive improvements

Benefits

• 33 days holiday (25 days + bank holidays) + option to buy more!
• Salary sacrifice options (pension & childcare)
• Financial wellbeing platform to support your goals
• £1,250 annual The Fold gift voucher
• Bike to work scheme to save on bikes & equipment
• Employee Assistance Programme (confidential wellbeing support when you need it)
• Eye care support
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Friends & family discount – enjoy 50% off full retail price
• Summer Fridays for that early start to the weekend
• Fully stocked snack cupboards, fresh fruit, plus great coffee & tea
• Opportunities to give back through volunteering with our charity partner, Smart Works

Diversity and Inclusion

We promote a diverse and inclusive workplace which harnesses the benefits of the diversity of our team and strives to represent the communities in which we live and work. Our vision is to establish an environment that attracts individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and talents, empowering them to contribute their best and authentic selves. We welcome and encourage applications from those who share our commitment to fostering this inclusive and authentic work culture.

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