Design Operations & Production Quality Manager (Textiles)

Career Guide

Oversees the handoff from design to manufacturing for apparel/textiles, setting quality standards, coordinating production readiness, and ensuring products meet specifications and regulations. Leads supplier audits, resolves defects, and drives continuous improvement from prototype through mass production.

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Key Responsibilities

Define quality standards and test methods (AATCC/ASTM) from sample to mass production
Manage in-line/final inspections, defect tracking, and vendor scorecards
Lead root cause analysis and CAPA to reduce returns, rework, and scrap
Coordinate design-to-factory handoff and maintain PLM data accuracy
Plan pilot runs, validate fit/color/hand-feel, and approve production readiness
Conduct supplier audits (ISO 9001, social/chemical compliance) and onboarding
Monitor KPIs (PPM, first-pass yield, on-time delivery) and report to leadership

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Quality Manager (Apparel)

Director of Quality/Compliance

Director of Operations (Apparel Manufacturing)

Head of Product Development Operations

Transition Opportunities

Supply Chain Manager (Apparel)

Sourcing Manager

Manufacturing Engineering Manager (Textiles)

Product Development Manager (Apparel)

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

SPC analysis and capability studies (Cp/Cpk) applied to soft goodsAATCC/ASTM textile test methods and interpretationStructured CAPA and root cause tools (5 Whys, Fishbone)Supplier quality auditing to ISO 9001PLM/ERP quality workflows and data governance

Development SuggestionsStart with AATCC/ASTM test-method training and an ISO 9001 internal auditor course; then run a small SPC/CAPA project on a live or simulated line to build measurable results.

Market Intelligence Report

Design Operations & Production Quality Manager (Textiles) is part of the Quality Control category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry Level$65,000-$85,000

Mid Level$85,000-$115,000

Senior Level$115,000-$145,000

Growth Trend

stable

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Levi Strauss & Co.HanesbrandsPVH Corp.

Industry Sectors

Apparel & TextilesManufacturingRetail & E-commerce

Recommended Next Steps

Earn ASQ Green Belt (or CQIA) and ISO 9001 Internal Auditor; apply tools on a scoped factory or pilot-run project.

Complete AATCC Textile Testing/Color courses; build a portfolio with test plans, Paretos, control charts, and CAPA reports.

Get hands-on by mapping a cut‑and‑sew or knitting process (VSM), implement SPC, and network via AATCC/AAFA chapters and trade shows.