The Brand
Framework Fashion (www.frameworkfashion.com) is placing this role on behalf of a premium lifestyle apparel brand based in Southern California. The brand is founder-led, community-driven, and built around a green grass sport lifestyle. Product is thoughtfully designed and produced — domestic knitwear is a core part of the strategy, complemented by performance fabrications developed with international manufacturing partners.
This is an early-stage brand with strong backing and a clear vision. The team is small and the culture is hands-on. The founder is deeply involved in the product and the right candidate will work closely alongside them.
The Opportunity
This is a newly created role designed to take the full product development and production function off the founder's plate to focus on other, equally important areas of the business. It is an opportunity to grow with an already established small brand with big plans to scale efficiently.
The person in this role owns it all — domestic and overseas, development and production, calendar and WIP. They are the operational engine behind the product, working closely with the founder on the product side in Orange County, and running between domestic contractors in Los Angeles when production demands it.
This role is recruited and managed through Framework Fashion, a fashion industry consultancy that provides fractional and senior-level staffing support to apparel brands. Framework will provide onboarding, oversight, and ongoing support throughout the engagement.
Who We're Looking For
An experienced, self-directed apparel operator who has done this before and can hit the ground running. You are equally comfortable sitting across from a founder reviewing a tech pack and walking a cut floor in LA. You don't need a lot of infrastructure around you — you build the process, you own the calendar, and you communicate proactively without being asked.
The right person thrives in lean, founder-led environments and understands what it means to be a trusted operator for a brand that is building something special and doing it carefully. Location Orange County & Los Angeles, CA — dual market role Structure Fractional contractor — hourly flexibility needed Reports To Framework Fashion with direct alignment to brand founder Start As soon as the right person is identified Familiarity with domestic knitwear manufacturing is required. Comfort working across both Orange County and Los Angeles is required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Domestic Production:
- Manage day-to-day relationships with domestic contractors — cutter, sewing, dyeing, printing, finishing, trims
- Supervise production runs and conduct QC at each stage of the process
- Coordinate WIP flow between contractors to keep production moving and on schedule
- Identify and resolve production issues before they become delivery or quality problems
- Ensure consistency across small-batch knitwear production in line with brand standards
- Source new domestic factory resources.
Overseas Sourcing & Product Development
- Manage overseas factory communication and relationships across relevant product categories
- Own the product development process through final approval
- Source and develop new fabrications and trims in alignment with brand direction and ethos
- Hold overseas partners accountable to quality standards, timelines, and brand expectations
Calendar & WIP Management
- Own the product development and production calendar end to end — domestic and overseas
- Maintain WIP tracking across all active programs and communicate status proactively
- Manage key milestone dates including proto approvals, fit sessions, bulk cut dates, and delivery
- Flag risks early and drive solutions to protect timelines
Founder Collaboration & Costing
- Work closely with the founder on seasonal priorities and development decisions
- Support costing process to ensure product is built to appropriate margin targets
- Assist in preparing for wholesale strategy as the brand scales into new distribution
What Success Looks Like
- The founder is out of the day-to-day production and development loop within 30–60 days
- Domestic production is running on time, on quality, and well-coordinated across contractors
- The overseas development calendar is organized, visible, and being met consistently
- The founder has a trusted operator they can rely on — and more time for design, brand, and community
Experience & Qualifications
- 7+ years in apparel product development and/or production — domestic and overseas
- Hands-on experience with domestic garment manufacturing; knitwear experience strongly preferred
- Proven ability to manage overseas factory relationships and hold partners accountable
- Strong calendar and WIP management skills — owns outcomes, not just tasks
- Comfortable in lean, founder-led environments with limited infrastructure
- Based in the greater LA or Orange County area — able to work across both markets
- Experience with premium lifestyle, or athleisure brands preferred
Pay: From $50.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
