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.

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.

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

1
Earn ASQ Green Belt (or CQIA) and ISO 9001 Internal Auditor; apply tools on a scoped factory or pilot-run project.
2
Complete AATCC Textile Testing/Color courses; build a portfolio with test plans, Paretos, control charts, and CAPA reports.
3
Get hands-on by mapping a cut‑and‑sew or knitting process (VSM), implement SPC, and network via AATCC/AAFA chapters and trade shows.