Production Manager

About ADVOC8

At ADVOC8, we create experiences that build trust, shift minds and win hearts. Our special sauce? Chemistry, collaboration and an endless supply of curiosity. We're a team of strategic thinkers, creative problem-solvers, thoughtful storytellers and logistical magicians expertly bringing ideas to life from strategy and creative through to production and execution. We work with brands, nonprofits and associations to create experiences that make an impact. And we do this all in a flexible 'work from anywhere' environment where we celebrate differences and encourage each of our 'advocates' to bring their unique perspectives to the table each and every day.

&drop is the brand merchandise and promotional products division of ADVOC8, serving major brand clients including Google, YouTube, TikTok, and PokémonGO. We specialize in strategic, creative merchandise solutions from complex event kits and experiential programs to comprehensive branded goods strategies. We're a boutique agency that thinks like a creative partner, not a commodity distributor.

The Production Manager leads brand merchandise projects from proposal through delivery. You source product and negotiate with vendors on pricing and timelines, build product presentations that match the ask and the brand, build and manage estimates and budgets, and coordinate warehouse, logistics, creative and account teams to get the program executed.

Most of the time you'll be working on larger integrated programs led by account managers, where you work across a team and own specific projects within it. On small and medium projects, you lead end-to-end and handle client communication directly.

You think like a creative partner, not a commodity promotional products distributor. That means proposing products that fit the client's brand and culture instead of what's easiest to source, caring whether the finished thing is good enough that someone keeps it, and handling the operational reality behind timelines that don't move. We're a small team. What you own, you own.

This role reports to the Director of Production.

What You'll Do

Project Management & Execution

Lead small and medium merch programs from estimate through fulfillment

Manage workstreams across sourcing, production, decoration, fulfillment and delivery

Keep projects on schedule and on budget, and flag slippage before it becomes a client problem

Keep order management and project systems reflecting actual status

Product Sourcing & Vendor Coordination

Source products and decoration methods that fit the creative intent and the budget

Manage product sourcing, vendor and decoration research, and pricing development by gathering quotes and organizing vendor information

Coordinate with vendors on production updates, samples, order status, and maintain accurate vendor database records

Review proofs, mockups, and production samples to support quality control

Own estimates, sales orders, purchase orders and invoicing on your projects

Review profitability and flag risk early

Client & Cross-Functional Communication

Communicate scope, timelines, deliverables, and status without being chased for updates

Lead client communications for small projects and support larger projects under account manager supervision

Coordinate with warehouse team on inventory management and fulfillment

What You Bring

Experience & Technical Expertise

4+ years of experience in project coordination, production, promotional products, or a related field, with exposure to vendor management and order execution

Working knowledge of printing and decoration methods, vendor sourcing, and production workflows

Experience with order management systems and e-commerce platforms (e.g., CommonSKU, SAGE, Shopify)

Strong financial acumen, including comfort with pricing, margins, and sales math

Proficiency in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Calendar) and comfort navigating new systems and tools, including familiarity with integrating AI tools into your workflow

Core Competencies & Professional Presence

Comfortable owning an outcome rather than waiting for direction

Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

Clear, professional communicator with strong written and verbal skills

Proactive, resourceful problem solver who takes ownership and anticipates needs

Self-motivated learner with a growth mindset and strong client-service orientation

Aligned with and committed to ADVOC8’s core values; represents them in daily work

Better Together - Collaborative soul who’s open to new ideas, sharing successes and being part of a team

Level Up - High standards, never settling for the status quo or what we did last time

Hustle Smarter - Entrepreneurial, roll-up-your-sleeves spirit, tempered by the courage to identify smarter ways of doing things

Celebrate Differences - Highly empathetic personality who values individual perspectives

Outcome Over Income - Extensive experience and demonstrated success in client relationship management

Protect the Respect - Navigates conflict with an emphasis on transparency and diplomacy

Engineer Exceptional Value - Inspired by outside-the-box thinking that yields outstanding ROI for our clients and projects

Embrace Change - Recognize situations that require flexibility and craft creative solutions on the fly

How We Measure Success

Client experience

Clients have an exceptional experience on your projects. You understand the ask and the brand, and you match it with the right product, quality level, and delivery timeline

Issues reach the client as a solution and a recommendation, not as a problem handed back to them

On projects you own, clients stay informed without chasing you for a status update. On projects where you're part of a larger account team, account managers aren't chasing you either

Scope grows on the accounts you run

Delivery

Projects delivered on time and on budget

Margin protected, with risk flagged early rather than explained after the fact

Quality matches client expectations. Vendor relationships are strong and production is predictable

Internal teams can see project status without asking

If projects run smoothly and clients trust the process, you're succeeding.

What We Offer

Work with some of the most innovative brands in tech and entertainment

Small team, direct access to leadership, creative freedom

Flexible work schedule

Fully remote company

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of a background check

BENEFITS

Collaborative and creative work environment

Competitive base salary, with additional performance-based incentives

Health Insurance: 100% coverage of base level medical insurance plus buy up options to meet the needs of you and your family

Health Insurance: Dental and vision insurance

401k, FSA, and stipend for mobile phone usage

Professional development and training reimbursements

Flexible work schedule

Unlimited vacation and personal time

Paid parental leave and Grandternity Leave

Location & Logistics

This position is not location-based, though travel may occasionally be required to travel to client sites, trade shows, team offsites and vendor facilities. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; at this time, we are not able to provide sponsorship.

At ADVOC8, building an inclusive team that celebrates our differences is integral to our success. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply even if you don’t meet all qualifications.

At ADVOC8, we are committed to fostering transparency and equity in compensation. The salary range provided for this position reflects the base salary offered to a successful candidate based on their experience, qualifications, and internal compensation structures.

Please note that this salary range is subject to change based on evolving market conditions, company budget, and other factors, and does not include potential bonuses, benefits, or other forms of compensation. Final compensation may vary depending on the candidate's negotiation, location, and the specific role's requirements.

We believe in fair pay for all employees and encourage candidates to engage in open conversations with us regarding compensation expectations during the hiring process.

ADVOC8 is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to achieving a diverse workforce, and prohibits discrimination and harassment: ADVOC8 is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ADVOC8 are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, neurodivergence, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, exercising the right to family care and medical leave, veteran status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law. ADVOC8 will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Originally posted on Himalayas