Company Overview

Dark Garden Corsetry is a bespoke fashion company specializing in corsets and couture designs. We are committed to inclusivity, uncommon beauty, and creating a safe, welcoming space for all. Our work spans ready-to-wear, made-to-order, and fully bespoke couture, requiring close collaboration between boutique, production, and design teams.

The position

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Production Manager to oversee production operations, costing, purchasing, and couture workflow while supporting our production team and client experience.

The Production Manager is responsible for managing the end-to-end production lifecycle, from purchasing and costing through production scheduling, quality control, and delivery. This role requires a detail-oriented leader who can balance creative production with operational discipline, ensure accurate costing and pricing, and maintain accountability across timelines, materials, and labor.

The ideal candidate is a strong cross-functional communicator, highly organized, and comfortable managing complex workflows across production, couture, and retail environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end production operations for ready-to-wear, made-to-measure, and couture orders, ensuring quality, timelines, and delivery standards are met.
• Oversee costing, pricing, and margin accuracy for couture orders, special projects, repairs, and signature pieces.
• Lead purchasing and inventory management, including vendor coordination, budgeting, and annual inventory reconciliation.
• Supervise and support the production team through scheduling, training, performance reviews, and workflow coordination.
• Monitor production capacity, order status, and potential bottlenecks using POS and project management systems.
• Ensure consistent quality control, repair assessment, and timely resolution of production issues.
• Coordinate product development, archive production, and additions to standard offerings.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with ownership, boutique management, and production leadership through regular meetings and reporting.
• Support couture client communication, including quoting, scheduling, project updates, and post-completion follow-up.

Core Competencies

• Sewing experience
• Production & Operations Management
• Costing, Budgeting, and Pricing Accuracy
• Cross-Functional Communication
• Deadline and Workflow Management
• Team Leadership and Accountability
• Detail Orientation and Data Integrity
• Problem Solving and Process Improvement

Qualifications

• Required Knowledge & Experience:
  • Minimum 2 years of production workroom experience; Can include wedding apparel, costume shop or other garment making
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in production management, fashion production, or a related operational role.
  • Strong working knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, and fit, with the ability to assess feasibility, quality, and production requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience with costing, purchasing, inventory management, and production workflows.
  • Proficiency with spreadsheets, POS systems, and project management tools (e.g., Asana).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across management, production, and retail teams.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Preferred (Nice to Have)
  • Experience working with couture, made-to-order, or custom garments, including client fittings.
  • Advanced understanding of fabrics, trims, and material behavior in a production and wear context.
  • Background in small-batch, artisanal, or luxury fashion production environments.

Compensation, Schedule and Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $28.00 – $32.00 per hour, based on experience and performance.
• 1-3 months training period based on experience and performance.
• Schedule: Full-time. Non-exempt schedule of five days per week.
• Benefits include:
  • 50% coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Employee discounts
• This is an in-person role based in San Francisco, CA.
• Supervision: Reports directly to the Owner.

Application Process

If you are a highly organized production professional with a passion for craftsmanship, systems, and couture-level detail, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume (including references) and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience.

We do not discriminate against people with criminal backgrounds.