Manager, Custom Product & Operations

What's the Short Version?

The Manager, Custom Product & Operations leads the product development and operational execution of SanMar's Custom business, supporting both existing customer programs and new business opportunities. The business represents non-traditional channels of revenue that often require creative solutions to meet customer expectations while balancing service, quality, and profitability. Working closely with Sales, Product Development, Merchandising, Planning, Sourcing, and Supply Chain teams, this role helps ensure successful program execution and achievement of operational and business goals.

 

What Will You Be Doing?

• Support execution of strategic initiatives for SanMar's Custom business and provide input on business planning efforts.
• Identify opportunities to improve products, processes, and customer programs to support business growth.
• Support achievement of business goals related to margin, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and on-time delivery.
• Manage the full product development lifecycle for Custom programs, assisting with support from customer brief through design, development, costing, sampling, and production.
• Oversee development of technical packages, construction standards, HTS/duty strategy, and manufacturing engineering to ensure feasibility, cost targets, and quality.
• Identify and recommend new materials, technologies, and manufacturing methods to improve value and competitiveness.
• Partner with Sourcing to support vendor performance, evaluate factory capabilities, and address production needs.
• Manage Custom Operations, ensuring effective execution of purchase orders, WIP reporting, logistics coordination, invoicing, and customer-specific system requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows across development, operations, reporting, and vendor management to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Maintain customer relationships and serve as a point of contact for program development, performance updates, and issue resolution.
• Partner closely with Sales, Product Development, Merchandising, Planning, Sourcing, and Supply Chain teams to support business objectives.
• Deliver presentations, business recommendations, and product assortments to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead, coach, and develop Product, Operations, and Analyst team members.
• Manage Custom analytics and reporting, ensuring accurate KPI reporting, trend analysis, and operational insights.
• Utilize data to support forecasting, load planning, capacity balancing, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Identify reporting and process improvement opportunities and partner with technical teams to support automation and data accuracy initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

 

What Are We Looking For?

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Product Development, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline
• 7-9 years of product development, sourcing, production or operations experience, with a significant portion in apparel manufacturing or custom product programs
• 1-3 years of people leadership experience
• Working knowledge of apparel development, garment construction, costing, international trade/HTS classifications, and global supply chains
• Experience coordinating with vendors, factories, and internal business partners to support program execution
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships across teams and with customers
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Strong analytical aptitude with experience using Excel, dashboards, reporting systems, and data driven decision making
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively across cross-functional teams
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

 

What's Our Offer?

Salary Range: You`ll earn between $105,000 - $150,000 annually, depending on experience.

 

Bonus: You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 15% of base salary.

 

Paid Time Off: You`ll accrue paid time off on a bi-weekly basis based on hours worked up to 152 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.

 

Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

 

What Should You Expect?

Hybrid: SanMar's Eastpointe office is located in Issaquah, WA in the Seattle metropolitan area. Employees are required to work in our offices Tuesday through Thursday each week and additional days may be added based on business needs. Our standard working hours are 8:00-5:00 PST. Periodic travel may be required. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and participating in virtual and in-person meetings. Frequent use of hands for keyboarding and standard office equipment is required. Occasional standing, walking, and reaching may be needed to attend meetings or collaborate in an office setting. The role requires the ability to perform close visual work on a computer for extended periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10–15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.