Producer - Fashion & Apparel, AI-Enabled Retail Content Prod.

About SJC

SJC stands as Canada’s largest privately owned communications company, distinguished by its portfolio of leading media brands, including Toronto Life, Chatelaine, and Maclean’s. A dynamic and influential organization within the industry, SJC excels in the creation, publication, and production of best-in-class content through its comprehensive content and creative studios, advanced advertising technology, and state-of-the-art print facilities. We collaborate with clients across North America to deliver innovative marketing solutions that effectively inform, inspire, and empower audiences across all platforms. With significant reach and influence, SJC has proudly been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 22 consecutive years, a testament to our commitment to excellence. To learn more about our organization, please visit www.stjoseph.com

From its full-service multi-studio facility, SJC Content works with leading brands and retailers to create content for every channel, including photography, video, social animation, interactive e-commerce content and digital signage. The Mar-Comm Project Manager drives the planning and execution of seasonal and other strategic marketing campaigns, leading collaboration on these projects both cross-functionally and with a network of vendor partner marketing agencies.

Role Overview

SJC is seeking a Producer with fashion/apparel retail production experience to help plan and execute high-volume eCommerce photography and content production on a 3-5 month contract. This role connects project requirements with studio reality: samples, talent, styling, shot lists, sets, timing, capacity, approvals, retouching handoff, and final asset readiness. The ideal candidate is hands-on, highly organized, and comfortable managing fast-moving studio production while using AI-assisted tools and workflow data to improve speed, clarity, and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate assigned apparel and eCommerce shoots, including sample readiness, production requirements, models/talent where applicable, styling needs, setup sequencing, and crew coordination.
• Translate PM/client requirements and art direction into executable production plans, shot schedules, set priorities, and daily studio run-of-show details.
• Work with sample logistics to confirm samples, colourways, packaging, labels, size ranges, missing items, and production-readiness issues before shoots.
• Coordinate with photographers, stylists, art directors, studio assistants, retouchers, and QA teams to ensure production standards and timing are met.
• Manage production changes, blockers, rush needs, and scope shifts with clear communication to PM and account leadership.
• Support post-production handoff by ensuring shot lists, selects, notes, and asset requirements are complete and understandable.
• Identify repeatable production patterns and recommend batching, template, staffing, or workflow improvements.

Required Experience and Skills

• 4-7+ years of production experience in fashion, apparel, retail, eCommerce, catalogue, commercial photography, studio production, or agency production.
• Strong understanding of on-figure and off-figure apparel shoots, model/talent coordination, styling, samples, set logistics, shot lists, and post-production handoffs.
• Ability to manage multiple shoot days, production streams, suppliers, samples, and creative requirements simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with creative, PM, studio, logistics, and client-facing teams.
• Comfort working in a high-volume studio environment where speed, quality, and operational discipline are equally important.
• Experience with production tracking tools, spreadsheets, workback schedules, asset lists, or project management platforms.
• Retail, Walmart, mass merchant, apparel brand, eCommerce marketplace, or product content experience is a strong asset.

AI, Workflow and Technology Expectations

• Comfort using AI-assisted production workflows for shot planning support, batch recommendations, checklisting, content readiness checks, and post-production coordination.
• Ability to use workflow data to spot blockers, optimize shoot sequencing, and reduce avoidable downtime or rework.
• Experience with DAMs, Workhorse-style sample tracking, Content Factori, Wrike, Power BI, or similar tools is an asset.
• Understands that AI supports production efficiency but final sample, styling, product, and creative decisions remain human-owned.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Hands-on studio operator who can keep shoots moving without sacrificing accuracy or quality.
• Strong eye for practical details: sample condition, colourways, fit, props, styling needs, and missing inputs.
• Able to manage pressure, changing priorities, and cross-functional teams with a calm and solutions-oriented approach.
• Comfortable balancing creative ambition with production volume, timing, and cost discipline.

Success Measures

• Efficient shoot days with clear priorities, ready samples, proper crew coordination, and minimal downtime.
• Fewer production blockers and cleaner handoffs to retouching, content QA, and upload preparation.
• Improved throughput across apparel-led production pods and high-volume category batches.
• Clear escalation of sample, styling, talent, scope, and timing risks before they impact delivery.

Benefits at SJC:

SJC is committed to the well-being and professional development of its employees. Our employee benefit includes:

• Exclusive employee subscription rates for SJC publications.
• A complimentary 1-year Toronto Life Insider membership.
• Discounted annual GoodLife membership.
• Participation in the Perkopolis Perk Program, offering employee pricing at a wide range of retailers.

A Workplace Built for Everyone:

SJC Values

• Amaze our customers: We put our customers’ evolving needs at the heart of the business and inspire through our ideas, quality and service.
• Be relentlessly curious: We take the initiative to learn, try new things and brainstorm the next big idea.
• Respect every individual as equal: We value diversity as the means to creativity and cultivate a collaborative environment where everyone belongs.
• Innovate and adapt with urgency: Forward-thinking and flexible, we react quickly and boldly to change.
• Contribute to our community: We apply our resources and passions to make a difference – for people and our planet

Accommodations at SJC

SJC is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to thrive. We're committed to creating inclusive and barrier-free recruitment processes and work environments. If you're contacted for an interview and require any accommodations to ensure a fair and equitable experience, please let our Human Resources team know. We'll handle any information you share with complete confidentiality.

Inclusion at SJC

Equality and respect for all is one of our founding values and core beliefs at SJC. We are a diverse group with associates of all ages, orientations, races and talents. We celebrate this diversity and we draw strength from it. Inclusivity at SJC means fostering a culture that welcomes and respects each individual as equal – both inside our walls and within the larger community.