Textiles Production Manager

Job Description:

Textiles production managers look after all stages of textiles manufacturing.

Job Category:
Manufacturing & Electronics

What you will do:

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • work with design and sales teams, buyers and quality control departments
  • visit factories to monitor production
  • manage orders from retail and wholesale customers
  • attend conferences and exhibitions to build contacts
  • deal with suppliers in the UK and overseas
  • set and check quality standards, prices and delivery times
  • help to create and promote the brand

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • leadership skills
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
  • to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • textiles production
  • production or manufacturing engineering
  • fashion and textile management
  • fashion and clothing technology

A degree which includes a year in industry will help you to gain practical experience alongside your qualification.

This may give you an advantage when applying for jobs after graduating.

Apprenticeship
You can do a textile technical specialist higher apprenticeship, or manufacturing manager degree apprenticeship.

Work
You can work as a textile technologist or textile designer and move into management, first as an assistant manager, then as a production manager.

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to have a full driving licence

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be noisy and you’ll travel often.

Career Path & Progression:

You could move into senior supply chain jobs, business development or marketing.

You could also find work with companies that specialise in technical textiles, like carbon fibre and aerospace materials.