Job Description
Director of Business Development Apparel Manufacturing & Brand Partnerships Company: AOGU Apparel Location: United States (Remote initially; hybrid/on-site in Southern California planned) Employment Type: Full-time Compensation: USD $8,000 – $12,000 per month + performance incentives Who We Are AOGU Apparel is a global apparel manufacturing partner specializing in casualwear, comfortwear, and activewear production for brands in the United States and international markets. Our capabilities span the entire product lifecycle—from design collaboration and product development to sampling, sourcing, and large-scale manufacturing. We work closely with brands to transform ideas into high-quality products that combine comfort, performance, and production scalability. As our U.S. presence expands, we are building a local team focused on strengthening brand partnerships, accelerating product development collaboration, and expanding our client base in the U.S. market. The Opportunity We are seeking a Director of Business Development to help lead our expansion in the United States. This role is both strategic and entrepreneurial. You will be responsible for identifying and developing partnerships with apparel brands seeking reliable manufacturing and product development partners. Beyond sales, this role requires someone who understands product, trends, and manufacturing realities—someone who can engage with brand teams on design direction, fabric choices, and product feasibility while positioning AOGU Apparel as a long-term development partner. You will also play a key role in shaping our U.S. office operations and go-to-market strategy as we build our local presence. What You’ll DoBusiness Development & Brand Partnerships Identify and develop relationships with U.S.-based apparel brands seeking manufacturing and product development partners Build a pipeline of new clients across categories including: Casualwear Activewear and athleisure Comfort-driven lifestyle apparel Lead outreach, meetings, and partnership discussions with brand decision-makers Position AOGU Apparel as a strategic manufacturing partner rather than a transactional supplier Market & Product Insight Maintain a strong understanding of U.S. apparel trends and consumer behavior Provide internal guidance on styles, fabrics, and categories gaining momentum in the market Collaborate with the design team to translate market insight into product development opportunities Identify emerging brands and fast-growing companies that align with our capabilities Sales Strategy & Growth Develop and execute strategies for expanding AOGU Apparel’s presence in the U.S. market Manage the full sales cycle from prospecting and relationship building to deal closure Establish long-term partnerships with brands and product teams Track performance metrics and revenue growth opportunities Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with design, development, and production teams to ensure client needs are clearly communicated and executed Coordinate with our China-based manufacturing teams to align production capabilities with brand expectations Support smooth onboarding of new clients and product programs Team Leadership Help build and mentor the U.S. sales and client development team Establish processes for customer acquisition, account management, and growth Contribute to the long-term development of the U.S. office What You BringIndustry Experience 8–15+ years of experience in apparel business development, sourcing, brand partnerships, or manufacturing sales Strong network within the U.S. apparel industry Proven track record of developing B2B relationships with apparel brands Product & Market Knowledge Deep understanding of apparel trends, fabrics, and product development processes Familiarity with categories such as: Hoodies and sweat sets Casual knitwear Activewear and athleisure Ability to discuss product ideas with brand teams from both creative and production perspectives Leadership & Communication Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build new business from the ground up Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills Experience working with international manufacturing partners Comfortable operating in a fast-growing, evolving environment You Are Highly connected within the apparel ecosystem Strategic but also hands-on in building relationships Passionate about product, design, and the apparel industry Excited to help build a U.S. presence for a global manufacturing partner Motivated by long-term partnerships