About Us: WWAKE is an award-winning fine jewelry brand in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2013, our brand is rooted in transparency. We use artistic design to drive meaningful change with the communities at the source of our materials. We believe that our jewelry is the connection between you, the earth, and every hand in between.
Job Overview: The Production Manager at WWAKE is pivotal in leading our production operations under the direct oversight of our Head of Development & Production. This role demands strategic acumen and operational management to ensure efficient production cycles, cost management, and alignment with our brand’s goals. The Production Manager collaborates cross-functionally with all departments to enhance productivity and maintain high standards throughout jewelry production.
Role & Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning & Leadership:
- Collaborate with the Head of Development & Production to develop and manage a clear production schedule that aligns with company objectives and market launches.
- Support strategic planning initiatives and contribute to the production calendar to ensure alignment with overall company goals.
Cost and Budget Management:
- Collaborating with the Head of Development & Production to achieve target margins and efficiency, and track the cost of goods (COG) budget.
- Strategize cost reduction by negotiating costs with suppliers and vendors.
Production and Quality Control:
- Create and track the production schedule, from planning to final production, and maintain rigorous quality control standards across all processes.
- Own the raw inventory tracking, strategizing its use effectively and creatively across production cycles.
- Work directly with vendors to resolve quality issues, ensuring all products adhere to WWAKE’s high standards.
Systems and Process Optimization:
- Streamline production processes by developing and improving operational systems, including cost sheets, purchase orders, and standard operating procedures.
- Enhance departmental workflows to boost efficiency and consistency across production operations.
Vendor and Material Sourcing:
- Oversee and optimize vendor relationships, ensuring timely procurement of materials that meet WWAKE’s quality and ethical standards.
- Manage the sourcing of materials required for both new and existing product lines.
Stone and Material Management:
- Oversee the daily management of production stones, ensuring they are ready and available for production according to the production schedule.
- Monitor the materials inventory, conducting regular audits to ensure accuracy and readiness for use.
- Manage the sourcing and ordering of stones, maintaining relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality materials.
Training and Team Management:
- Lead training sessions and manage continuous development initiatives for the production team.
- Supervise and mentor production staff, promoting professional growth and operational excellence.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategy Implementation:
- Manage cross-functional production documentation and communication to ensure all teams are aligned with production timelines.
- Work directly with the Production Consultant, the Head of Development & Production and other department heads to streamline launch schedules and optimize production workflows.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience in production management, preferably within the luxury or fine jewelry sector.
- Demonstrated success in strategic planning and production optimization.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and reducing costs.
- Exceptional leadership and organizational skills with the ability to manage time effectively.
- Advanced knowledge of production lifecycle management, vendor negotiations, and quality control.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a talent for building collaborative team environments.
- A proactive problem solver with meticulous attention to detail and a dedication to process improvement.
- Adaptable and creative, capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Compensation/Benefits:
- $70,000 base salary
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 50% of premiums covered by WWAKE; dependent coverage available.
- Eligibility for WWAKE’s 401K plan with a 3% company contribution and discretionary profit-sharing.
- Total of 35 days off annually: includes 15 days of PTO (increasing with tenure), 10 federal holidays, the last 5 days of December off, and 5 sick days.
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave complemented by a flexible return-to-work policy to ease the transition.
- Annual jewelry allowance, increasing with years of service.
- Rotating Summer Fridays off between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Flexible hybrid work options to accommodate personal and professional life balance.
Application Process: Please submit your resume and a cover letter with the subject line "Production Manager" to careers@wwake.com.