These Career Titles Bridge Different Industries—Including Fashion (But People Often Confuse Them)

Stumbled upon a great read on the difference between Product and Project Managers and it sparked a conversation inside me.  Across industries, Product Manager and Project Manager have the same “PM” initials, but very different roles. One sets the vision and strategy (Prod. Manager), the other focuses on execution and delivery (Proj. Manager). Having spent years in fashion Production (Sourcing & Product Development), I’ve noticed how job titles have evolved. Gone are the days of straightforward “Production Coordinator,” “Product Development/PD Manager,” or “VP. of Production” etc.  Nowadays, you’ll see listings or job titles within the fashion industry not only in the Tech world for "Product Manager,” “Project Manager,” and other variations and that raises a common question: What’s the difference between a Product Manager and a Project Manager? It may vary by company of course, so make sure you read the job description before being dismissive. While both roles often collaborate on the same team, and are known to MAKE things happen, these roles are fundamentally different.  The below is tailored within the Fashion Industry, this is not verbatim and may differ by company.

• Product Managers - Generally, a Product Manager ensures a product meets user needs, maintains high quality, delights customers, and successfully guides it from concept all the way to launch.  In fashion, Product Managers are essentially the Product Development experts. They oversee the entire lifecycle of a product or collection, from concept to market, ensuring it aligns with the brand’s vision, meets customer needs, and is feasible to produce. They guide design, sourcing, and production teams, make key decisions about materials, features, and timing, and use market insights to shape successful, on-trend products. In short, while designers create the look, Product Managers make sure the product actually comes to life successfully and sells.

• Project Managers - Generally a Project Manager isn’t focused on the long-term vision of a product, they’re all about execution. Their main goal is to coordinate the right team, manage timelines, and ensure the project is delivered on schedule and within budget. In fashion, Project Managers act as the Production and Sourcing experts. They focus on the practical side of bringing a collection to life, managing timelines, coordinating factories and suppliers, allocating resources, and ensuring every garment or accessory is produced on schedule and within budget. While Product Managers set the vision, Project Managers handle the execution, making sure the designs, materials, and production plans actually come together smoothly.

Understanding or having an idea of the difference can help you navigate your career path more strategically and avoid mixing up these increasingly popular and distinct titles.  Check out this article by Smithy Soft that goes in-depth. Again, make sure you read that job description!  Good Luck!