Apparel Factory Operations Manager

Mello; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on experience

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

A custom merchandise production company in Austin is seeking a Production Manager to oversee daily operations in screen printing and embroidery. Responsibilities include managing scheduling, staffing, and training staff while ensuring quality standards are met. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of production experience and a strong grasp of print methods. The company offers competitive compensation and growth opportunities as operations expand.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on production experience in a screen printing or manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing a production team and optimizing operations.
• Strong technical understanding of print methods, ink systems, and dye processes.
• Cut/sew production experience a plus, willingness to learn a must.
• Experience with production scheduling, workflow planning, and equipment troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations across various methods.
• Implement SOPs to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Train and lead production staff to meet safety and quality standards.
• Train and lead production staff, ensuring safety and quality standards are consistently met.
• Troubleshoot machinery, inks, dyes, embroidery equipment, presses, dryers, and QC issues.
• Coordinate with account managers and leadership on job timelines and production forecasting.
• Maintain inventory for blanks, inks, chemicals, dyes, threads, consumables, and equipment maintenance.
• Optimize factory layout, order flow, and equipment utilization.
• Support R&D on new decoration techniques, garment treatments, and specialty print methods.

Skills

Production team management

Screen printing expertise

Embroidery techniques

Quality control standards

Production scheduling

Production scheduling

Team leadership

Job description

Overview

Mello is a premium custom merchandise and production company based in Austin, Texas. We work with fast-growing brands in food, beverage, lifestyle, hospitality, and retail to create high-quality, design-forward apparel, headwear, and branded goods that people actually want to wear and keep.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations across screen printing, embroidery, and sewing.
• Manage scheduling, staffing, quality control, and throughput targets.
• Implement SOPs to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure repeatable best practices.
• Train and lead production staff, ensuring safety and quality standards are consistently met.
• Troubleshoot machinery, inks, dyes, embroidery equipment, presses, dryers, and QC issues.
• Coordinate with account managers and leadership on job timelines and production forecasting.
• Maintain inventory for blanks, inks, chemicals, dyes, threads, consumables, and equipment maintenance.
• Optimize factory layout, order flow, and equipment utilization.
• Support R&D on new decoration techniques, garment treatments, and specialty print methods.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on production experience in a screen printing, embroidery, or fashion manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing a production team.
• Strong technical understanding of print methods, ink systems, dye processes, pretreatment, tensions, and QC standards.
• Cut/sew production experience a plus, willingness to learn a must.
• Experience with production scheduling, workflow planning, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, growing custom merchandise environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling a production floor or launching new capabilities.
• Knowledge of Lean, 5S, or similar operational frameworks.
• Ability to adapt quickly and implement structure in evolving environments.

Compensation

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Paid holidays + paid time off.
• Growth opportunities as our operation expands.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, brief cover letter, and (optional) portfolio of past operational achievements.