Business Development Manager - Fashion Industry
Location
Downtown Los Angeles, California
About GBS Trend
GBS Trend is a third-generation apparel manufacturer with more than 50 years of manufacturing experience. Through our manufacturing operations in Turkey, we produce premium apparel for some of Europe's leading fashion brands and growing international labels.
Our capabilities include fabric development, product development, knitwear, jersey, fleece, denim, woven garments, and full-package apparel manufacturing. With a showroom and business presence in Los Angeles, we help brands bring products from concept to production while maintaining the quality, flexibility, and craftsmanship required by today's fashion industry.
As we continue to expand our presence in the United States, we are seeking an experienced apparel industry professional to help us build meaningful relationships with brands and industry leaders throughout the market.
About The Role
This is not a traditional sales position.
We are looking for someone who understands how the apparel industry operates and has built genuine relationships throughout their career.
The ideal candidate has experience working with apparel brands, manufacturers, product development teams, merchandising departments, production teams, retail organizations, or related fashion businesses.
More important than sales experience is industry credibility, professional relationships, and the ability to create opportunities through trust and reputation.
We are particularly interested in individuals who have spent years building relationships with founders, sourcing professionals, production leaders, product developers, merchandisers, and decision-makers within the apparel industry.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain relationships with apparel, fashion, lifestyle, and consumer brands throughout the United States.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities for GBS Trend.
- Represent GBS Trend's manufacturing capabilities to prospective customers and partners.
- Schedule and attend meetings, showroom presentations, industry events, and trade shows.
- Build relationships with founders, CEOs, product developers, production managers, sourcing managers, merchandisers, and other key industry decision-makers.
- Coordinate introductions, factory presentations, sampling discussions, and development projects.
- Support customer onboarding and long-term account development.
- Act as a trusted representative of GBS Trend within the apparel industry.
- Work directly with company leadership to support the company's long-term growth strategy.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of experience within the apparel, fashion, footwear, accessories, or lifestyle industry.
- Strong professional network within the fashion industry.
- Experience working with apparel brands, manufacturers, product development teams, merchandising departments, production teams, buying offices, or related industry organizations.
- Understanding of apparel product development and manufacturing processes.
- Strong communication, relationship-building, and networking skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and create relationships.
- Ability to travel as needed for meetings, trade shows, and industry events.
Preferred Backgrounds:
- Product Development
- Production Management
- Merchandising
- Vendor Management
- Brand Operations
- Apparel Manufacturing
- Business Development
What We Value Most
We value relationships, reputation, and industry knowledge.
The ideal candidate is someone who can confidently answer questions such as:
- Have you built meaningful relationships throughout your career?
- Do founders, product developers, merchandisers, or production professionals regularly seek your advice?
- Are there industry professionals who would take your call today?
- Have you earned a reputation based on trust, reliability, and professionalism?
If so, we would like to meet you.
Compensation
Competitive compensation package including:
- Base salary
- Performance-based incentives
- Business development bonuses
- Long-term growth opportunities
Compensation will be discussed with qualified candidates based on experience and industry relationships.
Why Join GBS Trend
- Represent a manufacturer with more than 50 years of production experience.
- Work directly with company leadership.
- Access a well-established international manufacturing platform.
- Utilize a Los Angeles showroom and local business presence.
- Help shape the future growth of a company expanding its footprint in the United States.
- Build meaningful relationships with some of the most exciting brands in the industry.
To apply, please submit your resume along with a brief introduction describing your experience within the apparel industry, the types of brands or organizations you have worked with, and what makes you uniquely connected within the fashion industry.