Jobs

Fabric buyer: Purchases the appropriate fabrics for production. Manages delivery, negotiates costs, and oversees fabric issues.
Import/Export specialist: Keeps up with trade laws in order to ensure that supplies are from the most cost-efficient sources.
Operator: Performs one or more sewing steps in the general creation of the garment.
Production manager: Oversees the operations involved in garment manufacturing and ensures that all workers are on schedule.
Production pattern maker: Revamps the sample patterns so that they are easier to produce.
Quality control person: Ensures that the produced garments are of the appropriate size, quality and composition.
Trim buyer: Scouts out the top suppliers of buttons, zippers and miscellaneous pieces that hold a garment together.

The Scoop

Production processes vary, but the majority of production work is technical in nature. The key to production is synchronicity, insiders say. Employees must be more than efficient; they must also stay on schedule with the rest of the production crew. Production managers monitor the training, machinery and efficiency of each employee. Essentially, they make sure that employees are on track with their individual job responsibilities. These responsibilities might include coordinating fabric deliveries to and from factories, scheduling shipments, arranging raw materials for construction, creating work schedules and tracking services, deliveries and orders. Because of the amount of scheduling and coordination, employees in supervisory roles tend to be well organized and detail-oriented. Strong customer service abilities are also essential. If the company buys or sells internationally, coordinators must understand the legal issues surrounding importing, exporting and the U.S. Customs Department.

Production workers typically specialize in one or more aspects of the industry: sewing, cutting, bundling, fabric spreading, packing, finishing or pattern making. While production is not a high-profile area of fashion, it is nevertheless essential. Without a production plan, patterns are simply paper and designers merely dreamers. For production to succeed, each employee must complete his or her job in a timely manner. One inefficient worker can throw the entire team off schedule. Late or failed deliveries of items can also lead to scheduling problems and cancelled retailers' orders. In short, a well-oiled, efficient and team-oriented production staff is the backbone of any successful fashion company.