Head of Production

Head of Production | Daily DrillsFull-time, on-site (Mon–Thu in office, Fri remote)Daily Drills is seeking a Head of Production to own the end-to-end product lifecycle, from initial concept and assortment strategy through product development, launch, and post-launch performance. This role is for a strategic, production leader who thrives on full accountability, operational excellence, and brand impact. You will also manage and grow the production team, guiding their development and ensuring smooth execution across bi-weekly collections and seasonal launches. With planning happening a year in advance, this role requires strong leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to own the end-to-end product lifecycle.Product Planning & Production CalendarLead all product planning and execution, including bi-weekly collections, seasonal core launches, and Friday Surprise & Delights.Maintain and drive the master production calendar, coordinating cross-functional deadlines, purchase orders, and inventory buys to guarantee timely launches.Manage the entire product journey—from initial ideation, concept development, and storyboarding to sample creation, approvals, production, and final launch.Oversee all production milestones—including collection moodboard, CAD creation, first sample, second sample, TOP and photoshoot samples—anticipating potential delays and multiple rounds required to achieve perfection.Strategically curate product assortments that tie into the brand's storytelling, color story, seasonal narratives, and historical collections, creating cohesive collections that allow customers to build upon previous purchases and deepen brand engagementAnalyze consumer behavior and sales data to inform assortment decisions and ensure each collection meets market and customer needs.Plan and lead R&D and testing of new fabrics, materials, and styles in advance, collaborating closely with the Production Coordinator and founders to drive innovation.Build on core offerings while ensuring alignment with the brand's vision for continuous evolution and growth alongside our customers.Ensure all CAD files and timelines are consistently updated and accessible, and communicate changes immediately, so all teams have accurate design information at their fingertips.Vendor & Manufacturing OversightOwn all vendor and manufacturing relationships, ensuring partners consistently meet quality, cost, and timeline expectations.Provide strategic guidance and oversight to proactively address production challenges, including material delays, quality issues, or freight interruptions.Lead negotiations with existing and new manufacturing partners to secure competitive pricing, favorable lead times, and capacity for growth.Collaborate with the Production Coordinator to manage day-to-day vendor communication while maintaining full accountability for product outcomes.Monitor and evaluate manufacturing performance, identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost savings, and innovation in materials, processes, and product capabilities.Drive innovation by partnering with vendors on new fabrics, finishes, and production techniques that enhance product differentiation and support R&D initiatives.Ensure vendors understand and execute the brand vision, storytelling, and design specifications across every product, maintaining consistency and quality from first sample to final production.Build long-term strategic partnerships with key vendors to ensure reliability, scalability, and alignment with business growth goals.Inventory & Pricing StrategyPartner with Finance and demand planning to manage inventory across core and seasonal products, balancing availability, preventing stockouts, and enabling upsells.Alongside VP of Finance, ensure buys align with financial goals and scale appropriately with the company's intended growth.Collaborate cross-functionally to make data-informed purchasing and replenishment decisions, ensuring alignment with campaigns, launches, and peak demand.Set competitive, profitable pricing in coordination with leadership, continuously optimizing assortment and margins to support overall business objectives.Product Performance & AnalysisTrack post-launch product performance, analyzing sales data, customer feedback, and KPIs to inform future assortment and buying strategies.Adjust product assortment or pricing based on performance metrics and customer demand.Collaborate with marketing and sales leadership to adjust campaigns and promotions for maximum customer engagement and revenue impact.Leadership & Team ManagementLead, mentor, and empower the growing Production Team, fostering accountability, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.Ensure smooth start-to-finish product workflows across design, operations, marketing, and manufacturing teams.Provide strategic input and decisive problem-solving while supporting your team to manage day-to-day production operations.Qualifications:5+ years leading a production team in fashion with deep understanding of product development processesProven experience owning the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept and assortment planning to launch and post-launch analysis.Strong leadership managing cross-functional teams and overseas vendors, ensuring quality, cost, and timelines.Expertise in assortment strategy, balancing core products with innovative, trend-forward styles.Skilled in fast-paced production cycles, making data-driven decisions under tight timelines.Experience negotiating, monitoring, and improving vendor performance across global supply chainsAnalytical and strategic, using trends, customer insights, and performance data to guide product decisions.Excellent communicator and collaborator across teams and departments.Passionate about innovation, continuous improvement, and delivering high-quality products on time.Strong professional references demonstrating credibility, past performance, and leadership in production and product development roles.