Senior Production & Sourcing Lead – Apparel Ops

Express; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Express is seeking a Production Planner/Sourcing Lead at its Columbus Corporate Headquarters. You will coordinate the production strategy, guide cross-functional teams, and negotiate with factories to optimize cost and lead times across seasonal product lines.

You will work closely with Design, Production Manager, and vendors to ensure on-time delivery while maintaining quality and budget targets. This role requires strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• 5-7 years of experience in manufacturing/sourcing, preferably in apparel retail.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute production strategy from development to supplier allocation and delivery.
• Guide partners to execute Express product strategy with cost and lead time in mind.
• Allocate and manage development samples with Design for each season.
• Negotiate fabric, trims, and costs to optimize AUC and lead times.
• Manage calendars and lifecycle of product management across seasons.
• Collaborate with factories, mills, and vendors on volume and capacity planning.
• Provide regular performance feedback and drive cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Clear communication

Negotiation

Prioritization

MS Office

Multi-tasking

Adaptability

Problem solving

Production knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

Express is seeking a Production Planner/Sourcing Lead at its Columbus Corporate Headquarters. You will coordinate the production strategy, guide cross-functional teams, and negotiate with factories to optimize cost and lead times across seasonal product lines.

You will work closely with Design, Production Manager, and vendors to ensure on-time delivery while maintaining quality and budget targets. This role requires strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.