RTW Production Planning Manager

Purpose of the role

The RTW Production Planning Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining full visibility, accuracy and control of the RTW production plan, ensuring production is executed in line with the Company critical path, agreed capacity, quality standards and delivery targets.

The role is the primary owner of production planning information and performance visibility, ensuring production phases, delivery dates, supplier commitments, risks, delays and recovery actions are accurately reflected in the Company’s systems and proactively communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Working closely with Raw Materials Purchasing, Garment Technology, Production Controlling, Industrialisation, Quality, Compliance & Sustainability, Logistics and suppliers, the Manager identifies risks early, drives corrective actions and ensures production remains on track.

This is a highly operational and analytical role requiring exceptional accuracy, attention to detail, numerical discipline and follow-through. The successful candidate must understand the complete production picture at SKU, order, material, supplier and shipment level, identify root causes and proactively drive solutions.

A “no pen pushing” approach is essential: the Manager is expected to actively engage with suppliers and internal teams to resolve issues, rather than simply record or report them.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Control

• Own and continuously maintain the RTW Master Production Schedule, ensuring production plans, capacity, lead times, production phases and delivery dates are accurate and aligned with the critical path.
• Monitor production progress across all SKUs and suppliers, proactively identifying delays, bottlenecks and risks and implementing recovery actions.
• Ensure complete visibility of production status and escalate critical issues promptly to the Head of Production.

2. Supplier Management & Performance

• Manage and monitor supplier adherence to production plans, capacity commitments and delivery dates.
• Drive supplier accountability through regular follow-up, performance monitoring and structured escalation.
• Identify root causes of delays and agree practical corrective and recovery actions with suppliers.

3. Critical Path & Delivery Management

• Ensure production remains aligned with required delivery dates and shipment requirements.
• Identify critical path risks before they impact delivery and ensure clear recovery plans are in place for all at-risk orders.
• Coordinate with Logistics and relevant teams to ensure accurate and timely shipment information.

4. Production Reporting, KPIs & Data Integrity

• Own the accuracy and timeliness of production data in AirTable, ensuring all production phases, milestones and trackers are complete and up to date.
• Prepare and maintain production KPIs, Delivery Monitoring Reports, Master Production Scheduling, Raw Material and Excess Material Trackers, Supplier Fact Sheets and risk/recovery reporting.

5. Purchasing & Raw Material Planning

• Plan and manage raw material purchase orders in line with MRP requirements, Lead Times, MOQ and the production critical path.
• Monitor material deliveries, confirmed EXW dates and supplier commitments, coordinating with Logistics to ensure timely delivery.
• Maintain accurate supplier, order and material information and escalate any risks that could impact production.

6. Invoice Verification & Financial Control

• Verify production invoices against approved purchase orders, agreed pricing and required traceability information and ensure invoices are correctly coded and uploaded to the system before submission for approval.

7. Continuous Improvement

• Analyse production performance, workflows and recurring issues to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, planning accuracy and supplier performance.
• Support the implementation of Lean and continuous improvement initiatives across production planning and control.

Measures of Success

• On-time production & delivery: Production and deliveries achieved in line with the agreed critical path and targets.
• Production visibility & control: Accurate, up-to-date Master Production Schedule with full visibility of delays, risks, bottlenecks and recovery actions.
• Supplier performance: Improved supplier adherence to production plans, delivery commitments and agreed standards.
• Data integrity & reporting: Accurate and timely AirTable data and weekly production reporting, with KPI accuracy above 98%.
• Purchasing & financial control: Accurate purchase orders, timely material deliveries and 100% invoice reconciliation against approved purchase orders.
• Continuous improvement: Reduction in unplanned delays, last-minute escalations and recurring production issues.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience Required

• Degree in Management Engineering, Supply Chain, Production Management or related discipline.
• 7+ years’ experience in production planning, production control or supply chain, preferably within luxury RTW / fashion.
• Strong knowledge of RTW manufacturing, production planning, critical path and quality processes.
• Proven experience in supplier management, capacity planning and performance management.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of costs, Lead Times, MOQ and MRP.
• Advanced Excel and strong AirTable skills; Power BI / GPS knowledge desirable.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma methodologies desirable.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to work confidently across functions and challenge suppliers effectively.
• Fluent English and Italian, French desirable.