Production Manager - Sportscraft

APG & CoA leader in the Australian fashion industry, APG & Co designs and manages Sportscraft, SABA and JAG. For over 50 years, APG & Co. has curated, grown and evolved these brands to be at the forefront of Australian fashion. We celebrate our history while allowing our brands to express themselves in contemporary, relevant and authentic ways.
The working environment is dynamic, professional and passionate. The mission: Bringing Style to Life. APG & Co values working as a collective, thriving on change, and playing to win. We are built to last.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced production professional who is ready to take the next step into a Production Manager role, owning end-to-end production execution for Sportscraft. Ensuring every style is delivered on time, in full, within budget, and to the highest quality standard. This role is primarily focused on production: critical path ownership, vendor and factory management, PO lifecycle management, and delivery performance.
Reporting to the Head of Design and working closely with the General Manager, Merchandise Planning, and the Group GM of Supply Chain & Logistics to drive operational excellence, protect margin, and enable reliable, on-time delivery across all seasonal collections.
Key ResponsibilitiesProduction Management (Core Focus)Own the critical path end-to-end from PO placement through to bulk delivery, driving on-time-in-full (OTIF) performance across all seasonal collections.Manage the day-to-day PO lifecycle: uploads, amendments, delivery date changes, and fast-track / speed-to-market additions.Track key production milestones; proactively escalate risk on delay, cost, or quality variance, with a clear resolution plan attached.Resolve production bottlenecks directly with vendors, coordinating closely with Planning, Merchandising, and Design on any knock-on impacts.Maintain data accuracy across Style Arcade, the Range Plan, Delivery Boards, and the Development Cost Tracker for all in-production styles.Continuously improve production workflows to increase speed to market without compromising quality.
Vendor & Factory ManagementManage day-to-day vendor relationships across both CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) and FOB (Free on Board) production models, including capacity planning and order allocation.Monitor vendor performance against on-time delivery, quality, and cost benchmarks; drive corrective action plans where standards slip.Build and maintain strong working relationships with offshore manufacturing partners across key regions, including China, Vietnam, India.
Sourcing (Supporting Function)Lead sourcing conversations to improve margins, negotiate costings, and support speed-to-market delivery.Consolidate fabric requirements across the range to enable bulk buying, and forecast greige holdings.Assess and onboard new vendor partners, including capability and compliance checks, in partnership with the Senior Designer and General Manager.Feed production and vendor performance data into sourcing decisions to inform vendor rationalisation and allocation.
Costing & Budget ControlOwn the accuracy of production cost data in the Development Cost Tracker and Range Plan — costs, supplier information, MOQ, lead times, and delivery windows.Report on production budget, cost of goods, and margin performance to the General Manager.
Quality Assurance & ComplianceIn collaboration with the QC team, ensure quality assurance and fit standards are consistently met, resolving issues early in the production cycle.Initiate and manage in partnership with QC team the development of new fabrications. CCoordinating with mills and factories to ensure timely submission of initial testing in line with critical path deadlines.Oversee timely PO placement in line with vendor capacity and brand guidelines.Ensure all vendors comply with the company's ethical, social, and environmental policies and standards.
SustainabilityPartner with the Group Sustainability Manager to embed ethical and sustainable practice into production and vendor management.Identify opportunities for sustainable material and process innovation in partnership with Supply Chain & Logistics and Design teams.
Experience & Qualifications4+ years' experience in production or sourcing within fashion/apparel, ideally at brand or group level.Proven experience working with both CMT and FOB production models.Proven experience managing offshore manufacturing across key regions, including Vietnam, China, India.Strong fabric and construction knowledge; design or product development background is highly desirable.Confident working with PLM or range-planning systems (e.g. Style Arcade) and cost tracking tools.Outstanding negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder communication skills.
Personal AttributesA strategic thinker with a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving and negotiation.Results-driven, with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.Highly collaborative and adaptable, thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.Demonstrated leadership capability, with the ability to build and inspire high-performing teams.
Perks & BenefitsAs part of the APG family, you’ll enjoy:50% off all our brandsFlexible working options – hybrid WFH and beautiful studio/office space4pm Friday finishes and true work/life balanceBirthday leave + monthly social events, morning teas & moreEmployee Assistance Program for you and your familyPaid Parental Leave