Job Description

Job Title:

Production Manager

Reports To:

Owner

Location:

Elk River, MN

Employment Type:

Full-Time, On-Site

About Geared Up Apparel

Geared Up Apparel is a locally owned and operated custom apparel company specializing in embroidery, heat seal printing, and promotional items. We bring brands, teams, and organizations to life through high-quality decorated apparel and custom designs. As we continue to grow, we're looking for a dynamic, detail-oriented Production Manager to lead our production team and ensure operational excellence from order kickoff to delivery.

Position Summary

The Production Director is responsible for overseeing the entire production process for embroidery and printing operations--from order intake and art approval through production, quality control, and invoicing. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, a deep understanding of apparel decoration processes, and a strong ability to manage people, timelines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Production Oversight

Manage all aspects of embroidery, heat seal, and printing production workflows. Oversee production schedules to ensure on-time completion of customer orders. Coordinate between departments (sales, art, ordering, production, and shipping) to maintain efficient workflow and communication. Lead daily or weekly production meetings to review order status and resolve bottlenecks.

Ordering & Inventory Management

Oversee purchasing of blanks, supplies, and materials required for each order. Maintain optimal inventory levels to support production schedules while minimizing waste and overstock. Partner with vendors to manage order timelines, track shipments, and resolve any supply chain issues.

Art & Order Preparation

Collaborate with the art department to ensure all artwork is production-ready, accurate, and approved by customers. Confirm that designs meet technical requirements for embroidery or printing. Ensure all order details are accurately captured and communicated to the production floor.

Quality Assurance

Establish and enforce quality control standards for all decorated apparel. Inspect finished products to ensure accuracy, consistency, and brand standards. Address production issues quickly to prevent rework or customer dissatisfaction.

Invoicing & Post-Production

Oversee the completion of job tickets and ensure accurate invoicing upon order fulfillment. Collaborate with accounting and customer service to ensure smooth delivery and billing. Track order profitability and identify opportunities to reduce costs or improve efficiency.

Team Leadership

Supervise, train, and mentor production staff in embroidery, heat seal, and print departments. Develop and implement best practices for workflow efficiency and quality improvement. Foster a positive, accountable, and team-oriented production culture. Maintain a customer centric environment.

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in production management, preferably in custom apparel or related industries. Strong knowledge of embroidery, screen printing, and/or heat seal production processes. Proven leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced production environment. Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills. Proficiency with order management systems, scheduling software, and basic inventory tools. High attention to detail, time management, and follow-through from order kickoff to final delivery.

Preferred Skills

Experience with Aptean Impress or similar production management systems. Understanding of apparel decoration digitizing, color matching, and material specifications. Familiarity with QuickBooks or similar invoicing software.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience Paid time off and holidays Employee apparel discounts Opportunities for growth and professional development
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Paid time off
Experience:

Custom Apparel Production: 2 years (Required)
Language:

English (Required)
Shift availability:

Day Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:

Elk River, MN 55330 (Required)
Work Location: In person