Apparel production & merchandising manager

Tilfi is a design- and craft-led luxury brand creating handcrafted textiles, apparel, and art of exceptional quality.

We are looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented Apparel Production & Merchandising Manager to oversee apparel production from planning to final execution. This role requires strong production knowledge, operational discipline, and the ability to manage vendors, teams, systems, inventory, and timelines with consistency and care.

Please note: This is a full-time, in-office role. It is not a remote position.

What you'll do:

Production Planning & Execution
Plan and allocate work across the production unit
Build and manage production schedules based on confirmed orders, samples, and stock requirements
Ensure efficient use of capacity and smooth production flow
Identify bottlenecks early and resolve them proactively

Order & Pipeline Management
Manage the full apparel production pipeline from order confirmation to final delivery
Track progress across confirmed orders, samples, and store stock
Set priorities clearly and ensure timelines are met

Vendor & Team Coordination
Manage vendors including dyers, fabric suppliers, khakha vendors, embroiderers, and other production partners
Coordinate with pattern masters, tailors, embroiderers, and internal teams to ensure smooth execution
Work closely with internal teams, including Customer Experience, on custom orders, feasibility, and timelines
Escalate delays or execution issues quickly and effectively

Materials, Inventory & Systems
Oversee sourcing of fabrics, trims, and other production materials
Ensure timely availability of all materials required for production
Maintain accurate inventory records across raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods
Ensure physical stock and system records are regularly updated and reconciled
Keep inventory records audit-ready for review by Finance and Operations teams
Maintain production trackers with accuracy and real-time updates
Bring structure to workflows, documentation, and communication across the production function

Quality Control
Maintain high quality standards across all stages of production
Review final output to ensure it meets Tilfi's standards of fit, finish, and craftsmanship

What we're looking for:

Production Experience
Strong experience in apparel production planning and operations
Good understanding of Indian wear, including lehengas, kurtas, sherwanis, and related categories
Experience working with pattern masters, tailors, embroiderers, and production vendors

Technical Understanding
Strong understanding of garment production and floor processes
Knowledge of patterns and garment construction is a plus
Ability to assess feasibility, identify issues, and support better execution decisions

Organisation & Systems
Highly organised, both physically and digitally
Strong systems and process management skills across trackers, files, spreadsheets, and workflows
Ability to bring structure, consistency, and discipline to the production function

Attention to Detail
Excellent attention to detail across order sheets, production sheets, measurements, inventory, and execution
Ability to spot errors, question assumptions, and ensure accuracy at every stage

Sourcing & Vendor Management
Experience sourcing fabrics, trims, and other production materials
Ability to manage vendors, timelines, and follow-ups effectively
Practical experience working with dyers and other production partners

Team Management
Experience working with and managing tailors, masters, embroiderers, and related production staff
Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and keep execution aligned

Mindset & Working Style
Calm under pressure and able to handle multiple priorities
Solution-oriented, dependable, and proactive
Strong time management and communication skills

Tools
Working knowledge of Excel is essential
Familiarity with Shopify is a plus