Production Manager – Custom Promotional Products

Company Overview

Custom Comet is a family-owned business founded in 2016, built on over 50 years of combined industry expertise. We design and manufacture high-quality custom promotional products, including air fresheners, lapel pins, sports trading pins, keychains, patches, coffee sleeves, and more.

Based in Portland, Oregon, we work with customers across the country, from small businesses and youth sports teams to larger organizations. We're an established, growing company that values quality, creativity, dependable service, and strong relationships with our customers and manufacturing partners.

About the Role

We're looking for a dependable, detail-oriented Production Manager to take ownership of our custom orders from the production handoff through delivery.

You'll be responsible for ensuring orders are accurate, factories have the information they need, deadlines are met, and problems are identified and resolved before they become bigger issues.

This is a hands-on, computer-based production management position, not a warehouse or manufacturing-floor role. You'll work closely with our customer service and art teams while communicating directly with our manufacturing partners, primarily located overseas.

Our ideal candidate has experience in custom or promotional products, understands the production process for made-to-order merchandise, and is comfortable working with Adobe Illustrator. However, we're also interested in candidates with strong transferable experience in production coordination, project management, or vendor management.

This is a fully remote position, and we welcome qualified candidates from across the United States. We're looking for someone who can work independently, stay organized while managing many orders simultaneously, communicate effectively in a remote environment, and take genuine ownership of their responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Order Management

• Manage customer orders from production handoff through final delivery.
• Review order specifications, quantities, approved artwork, deadlines, and other production requirements for accuracy and completeness.
• Review production-ready artwork and files using Adobe Illustrator when needed.
• Submit accurate orders and production instructions to factories.
• Track multiple orders simultaneously, ensuring deadlines and customer expectations are met.
• Maintain accurate production records and order statuses in company systems.
• Identify potential errors, delays, or missing information before they affect production.
• Resolve routine production problems independently and escalate significant issues when appropriate.
• Escalate unusually large or complex orders for management approval when required.

Factory & Vendor Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact with manufacturing partners throughout production.
• Obtain quotes, confirm pricing, and verify production timelines for custom or non-standard orders.
• Communicate regularly with factories to keep orders moving.
• Hold suppliers accountable for quality, accuracy, communication, and deadlines.
• Help resolve factory mistakes, production discrepancies, and shipping problems.
• Coordinate with overseas manufacturing partners across different time zones.

Shipping & Customer Communication

• Monitor shipments and tracking information through delivery.
• Provide timely production and shipping updates to customers and internal teams.
• Proactively communicate delays and work toward solutions.
• Coordinate with Customer Service on orders requiring additional attention.
• Assist with shipping, freight, and logistics coordination as needed.

Process & Quality Improvements

• Identify recurring production errors and recommend ways to prevent them.
• Help improve production workflows, order tracking, and internal communication.
• Develop and maintain clear procedures and documentation.
• Look for opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen relationships with manufacturing partners.
• Help establish consistent quality checks and accountability throughout the production process.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

• Experience in production coordination, project management, order management, purchasing, or a related field.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written communication skills, including professional customer and vendor correspondence.
• Ability to manage multiple orders and projects with different deadlines and priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions independently.
• Comfortable using computers, spreadsheets, order management systems, and online communication tools.
• Ability to review specifications, identify discrepancies, and follow detailed production instructions.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with a remote team.
• Reliable internet access and a suitable workspace for remote work.
• Willingness to learn new products, software, and manufacturing processes.
• Dependable, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of projects from start to finish.
• Must reside in the United States and be available to work primarily during Pacific Time business hours.

Highly Preferred Experience

• Experience working in the custom promotional products industry , including items such as air fresheners, lapel pins, trading pins, apparel, or other branded merchandise.
• Experience coordinating custom or made-to-order products , including artwork approvals, production specifications, and factory communication.
• Familiarity with Adobe Illustrator , particularly opening, reviewing, and checking vector artwork and production files.
• Experience working with overseas factories, manufacturers, or suppliers.

Additional Skills That Would Be Valuable (Not Required)

• International shipping, freight, customs, or import coordination.
• Vendor negotiation, purchasing, or supplier development.
• Quality control and process improvement.
• Experience with e-commerce platforms or order management software.
• Experience managing larger customer accounts or complex custom orders.
• Experience supervising or training employees.
• Experience working in a small business where employees take on varied responsibilities.

Success in This Role

You'll know you're succeeding when:

• Orders move smoothly from production handoff through delivery with minimal errors or delays.
• Customers receive the correct products according to their approved specifications.
• Production and shipping deadlines are consistently met.
• Factories receive clear and accurate instructions, and communication is timely.
• Order statuses and tracking information are accurate and up to date.
• Factory quotes for non-standard orders are obtained accurately and promptly.
• Potential problems are identified and addressed before they significantly affect customers.
• Internal teams have clear visibility into orders in production.
• Production requires less day-to-day intervention from company leadership.
• Recurring problems are identified and processes improve over time.

Opportunity for Growth

Our immediate priority is finding someone who can independently manage production and keep orders running smoothly.

As you become familiar with our business, there are opportunities to take on additional responsibility in supplier development, shipping and logistics, cost management, and broader operational improvements.

For the right person, this role could eventually grow into a larger leadership position, including the opportunity to help build and manage a production team.

We don't expect someone to accomplish everything immediately. We're looking for a long-term team member who wants to learn the business, improve how we operate, and grow with the company.

Pay & Schedule

• Pay: 20.00–30.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Hours: Approximately 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• Schedule: Primarily daytime Pacific Time hours, with some flexibility for communication with overseas factories.
• Location: Fully remote, U.S.-based. No regular office attendance or relocation required.

Benefits

Custom Comet offers the following benefits after 90 days of employment:

• Paid Time Off: Earn 1 day of PTO per month (12 days annually).
• Paid Holidays: 7 paid holidays outlined in our employee handbook, with additional paid holidays often provided depending on the calendar. We provided 11 paid holidays last year and 9 this year.
• Dental Insurance: 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and their dependents.
• Vision Insurance: 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and their dependents.
• Life Insurance: 100% employer-paid premiums.
• Short-Term Disability Insurance: 100% employer-paid premiums.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance: 100% employer-paid premiums.
• Retirement Plan: SIMPLE IRA with a 3% employer match.

How to Apply

Please apply through Indeed and include:

• Your resume.
• A brief cover letter describing your relevant experience and why you're interested in the position.
• If applicable, please highlight any experience with custom or promotional products, Adobe Illustrator, or coordinating production with overseas suppliers.

We're especially interested in candidates who enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and taking pride in getting the details right.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)

Location:

• Oregon (Required)

Work Location: Remote