Director, Custom Manufacturing

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

LOCATION DETAILS:
Farmers Branch, TX

Please note:

This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must be able to work from the designated location without company-sponsored relocation.

M-F, 8-5p / 9-6p (Friday WFH)

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization. The company does not sponsor H-1B visas and will not provide sponsorship now or at any time in the future for this role.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without the need for current or future sponsorship.

The Director of Custom Manufacturing is responsible for leading and optimizing all apparel manufacturing operations, ensuring high-quality production, on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and ethical compliance. This role oversees internal factories and/or external vendor partners, driving operational excellence across sourcing, production planning, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Lead end-to-end apparel manufacturing operations from development through bulk production
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with business growth, margin, and speed-to-market goals
• Oversee production planning, capacity management, and line balancing to meet delivery commitments
• Ensure adherence to quality standards, fit consistency, and workmanship across all product categories

• Manage relationships with domestic and international factories and vendors
• Negotiate manufacturing costs, lead times, and capacity commitments
• Conduct regular factory performance reviews based on quality, delivery, cost, and compliance metrics
• Partner with sourcing and development teams on vendor selection and onboarding

• Establish and enforce quality assurance processes and standard operating procedures
• Ensure compliance with company standards, labor laws, social responsibility, and sustainability requirements
• Address production issues, root causes, and corrective action plans proactively

• Drive cost optimization initiatives without compromising quality or ethical standards
• Analyze manufacturing KPIs and identify opportunities for process improvement and waste reduction
• Support margin improvement through engineering, fabric utilization, and production efficiencies

• Champion a culture of compliance, innovation, and operational excellence across global functions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Set clear performance expectations and development plans, providing regular coaching and conducting annual reviews to drive individual and team success.
• Align team objectives with organizational goals, ensuring effective execution of strategies and daily operations across all functions.
• Partner with senior leadership (VP and above) to provide regular updates, influence decision-making, and align product strategies.

• Strong knowledge of apparel construction, fabrics, trims, and production processes
• Expertise in production planning, costing, and capacity management
• Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and manufacturing tracking systems
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills
• Ability to travel…