ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Apparel Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Road Runner Sports

Apparel Product Manager

San Diego, CA

$70K - $80K/yr

Road Runner Sports is looking for an Apparel Product Manager to join our Merchandising team. In this role, you will own the performance of your apparel categories from seasonal plan through final ...

New

Road Runner Sports

Apparel Product Manager

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Overview Road Runner Sports is looking for an Apparel Product Manager to join our Merchandising team. In this role, you will own the performance of your apparel categories from seasonal plan through ...

24 Seven Talent

Apparel Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

We are seeking a talented Apparel Designer to join a growing young women's apparel manufacturer in ... Excellent communication, presentation, and time-management skills. Must be able to work onsite in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsApparel JobsApparel Manager JobsApparel Manager Jobs in California

Apparel Manager information

See California salary details

$24.2K

$58.7K

$114.5K

How much do apparel manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for apparel manager in California is $58,746.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,400.00 and $67,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an apparel manager?

Apparel Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the daily operations of clothing retail stores or departments. Their main duties include managing staff, monitoring inventory, ensuring high levels of customer service, and implementing merchandising strategies to boost sales. They also analyze sales trends, coordinate with suppliers, and ensure the store meets visual and operational standards. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential for this role. Apparel Managers play a key role in achieving sales targets and maintaining a positive shopping environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an apparel manager?

To thrive as an Apparel Manager, you need a solid background in retail management, merchandising, inventory control, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and visual merchandising tools is typically required. Strong leadership, customer service, and organizational skills help you motivate teams and create a positive shopping environment. These competencies are crucial for optimizing sales, maintaining efficient store operations, and ensuring customer satisfaction in a competitive retail market.

What are some common challenges apparel managers face when overseeing inventory and merchandising?

Apparel Managers often encounter challenges related to balancing inventory levels with changing fashion trends and seasonal demand. Ensuring that the right products are available at the right time, while minimizing excess stock and markdowns, requires strong forecasting and analytical skills. Additionally, coordinating with suppliers and managing visual merchandising standards across multiple departments can be demanding, especially in a fast-paced retail environment. Effective communication and adaptability are key to overcoming these obstacles while maintaining sales performance.

What is the difference between Apparel Manager vs Retail Store Manager?

AspectApparel ManagerRetail Store Manager
Primary FocusManaging apparel inventory, product displays, and sales strategies specific to clothing storesOverseeing overall store operations, staff, and sales across various retail sectors
Required CredentialsExperience in apparel or fashion retail, knowledge of clothing trends, and customer service skillsRetail management experience, leadership skills, and often a high school diploma or higher
Work EnvironmentClothing stores, fashion boutiques, or apparel departmentsGeneral retail stores, department stores, or multi-product retail outlets

While both roles involve retail management, an Apparel Manager specializes in clothing and fashion products, focusing on inventory and visual merchandising within apparel stores. A Retail Store Manager oversees the entire store operations, regardless of product type, managing staff, sales, and customer service across various retail environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Apparel jobs in California?

The most popular types of Apparel jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Apparel Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Apparel Manager job openings:

Apparel Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Apparel Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,746 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Apparel Technical Design Manager

La Jolla Group

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Company Introduction
La Jolla Group is a leading apparel management company with a proven track record of building, growing, and supporting some of the industry's most recognized and exciting brands. Through strong partnerships, innovative thinking, and operational expertise, we provide the infrastructure and resources brands need to thrive in a fast-moving marketplace. As our portfolio continues to evolve and grow, so does the opportunity to be part of what we're building.
Our team thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment where great ideas and great people make an impact. Employees enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule, generous discounts on our apparel brands, early-release Fridays at 2:00 p.m., occasional employer-provided lunches, year-round local events, and a comprehensive benefits package. Most importantly, we believe our people are our greatest asset and are committed to investing in their growth, development, and strengths.
General Summary
Manage Technical Design team deadlines, workflow, and workload allocation while ensuring key development and production milestones are met. Create and maintain grade rules, size charts, and fit standards across assigned brands and categories. Coordinate fit models and related budgets, manage calendar dates, and oversee fit direction across product categories. Support the team with pattern corrections and continuously evaluate new technologies and processes that can improve efficiency and workflow.
Oversee assigned product categories from initial development through approved pre-production samples, ensuring consistent fit, construction, and quality throughout the sample process. Partner closely with suppliers and internal cross-functional teams to communicate fit and construction changes, resolve quality issues, and ensure products meet established brand standards. Support the quality control process, review styles that do not meet expectations, and provide guidance on corrective actions. Mentor, support, and provide technical direction to members of the Technical Design team.
Essential Job Functions
  • Help create tech design calendar and manage team to ensure deadlines are met including allocating workload scheduling fittings and maintaining trackers
  • Continuously monitor industry standard size charts and keep all brands inline with current market sizing including creating grade rules and updates to current blocks
  • Work with warehouse manager to oversea QC process and maintain quality product
  • Maintain tech design budget including fit models' compensation
  • Attend all fittings to help maintain corrections and overall fit consistency
  • Assist tech design team in pattern corrections using the latest industry software
  • Manage the tech design for all EB categories as well as part of the Oneill Women's Inline Categories including all fleece, bottoms and blanks
  • Initial first proto style set up with specs to vendors through to final PP2 approval
  • Responsible for owning the lifecycle per style (fit/ Construction) from start to finish.
  • Creating specs for all styles in PLM based off of the designer's sketches or samples
  • Measure all garments for their category and prepares and leads all fittings for their assigned categories
  • Resolves and communicates fit and construction issues internally with all teams, and externally with vendors within production timelines and in a professional manner
  • Establishes and maintains fit and construction standards and blocks to ensure brand consistent and quality
  • Responsible for managing and hitting all deadlines along with communicating any issues with deadlines
  • Works to improve fit and quality through review of customer comments, sales feedback, and understanding competition
  • Understands how to read and correct patterns either through Tukatech (or similar software) and/or via other methods- taking photos, drawing on patterns etc.
  • Possesses understanding of how grading works mathematically
  • Organizes with time management and attention to detail
  • Full understanding of their specific category, historical issues, understanding of fabrications
  • Strong communication internally and externally with vendors
  • Team player able to work closely with other team members to help manage overall workload for the department in addition to managing their own workload
  • Is a leader and helps mentor and guide other technical designers on the team
  • Able to handle our biggest volume driven and complex categories

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of the product life cycle including development and production timelines.
  • Ability to effectively identify and resolve problems.
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Strong organizational skills with attention to accuracy and detail.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks appropriately to ensure deadlines are met.
  • Ability to work independently and as a team player.
  • Ability to wear many hats and juggle multiple projects at one time.
  • Must be able to work effectively across multiple functions with business colleagues domestically and internationally

Required Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's Degree -Technical Apparel Design or equivalent experience/training.
  • Minimum 7-10 years of experience in Technical Design.
  • Intermediate computer skills with emphasis on MS Office software, Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
  • Computer patternmaking software experience is a plus (preferably Tukatech)
  • PLM software experience also a plus

Benefits
La Jolla Group offers a comprehensive benefits package for regular, full-time employees designed to support overall well-being and work-life balance. Eligible team members can participate in:
  • Health, HSA, Dental, and Vision insurance options
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Enjoy additional perks and opportunities for growth within a collaborative, lifestyle-focused culture.

Physical Requirements
Seeing: Must be able to see well enough to read reports.
Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with customers, vendors and employees.
Standing/Walking: Must be able to move about company building.
Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: Must be able to stoop or kneel to pick up products.
Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.
Fingering/Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to type and use technical sources.
LJG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy (including unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected pregnancy or maternity leave), genetic information and any other characteristics protected by law.
Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply