Operations Director

JOUFFRE

Established in 1987 in Lyon, a city renowned for its rich textile heritage, Jouffre Inc. stands at the pinnacle of luxury upholstery and window treatments. While our roots are deeply anchored in France, our expertise stretches globally with dedicated craftsmen and teams stationed in New York, Lyon, and Rabat. Serving the visions of the world's most distinguished interior designers, we've been entrusted with projects spanning private residences, renowned hotels, and other prestigious spaces.

At Jouffre, our daily mission is to breathe life into time-honored craftsmanship, translating the audacious visions of international designers into tangible luxury. Beyond our craft, we are staunch believers in nurturing the growth of our team members. We foster an environment that celebrates initiative, autonomy, responsibility, and unwavering dedication. Join us, and be a part of a legacy where tradition meets innovation.

MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

As the Operations Director of our New York Workshop and a member of our board named the Squad Cabinet, you will oversee all operations at Jouffre USA. Your mission is to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational management while serving as an ambassador of our Liberated (F-Form) Company approach. This innovative structure emphasizes roles and responsibilities over hierarchy, empowering employees to collaborate, take initiative, and grow professionally.

You will ensure the seamless operation of the workshop, fostering trust, innovation, and collaboration among a skilled team of artisans and managers. Upholding Jouffre’s values — creativity, perseverance, transmission, and rigor — you will promote excellence, encourage decision-making, and support the well-being and development of your teams. These efforts are essential to achieving both human and economic performance objectives and ensuring customer satisfaction through world-class craftsmanship!

RESPONSIBILITIES & MISSIONS

As a Manager, you must trust your teams and give meaning to their daily missions. You must succeed in immersing yourself in the company's liberation project, which must be at the heart of your concerns. The team you manage is composed of the Workshop Managers: the Upholstery Manager, the Drapery Manager, the Installation Manager, the Wall Upholstery Manager, the Logistics Manager, the Woodshop Manager, the Upholstery Coordinator and the Production Coordinator.

You’re here to convey positive energy by setting ambitious, motivating and achievable goals that are consistent with the company's vision. Lead, listen, challenge, and grow your teams with kindness by adopting a true leadership posture.

Be an actor and driving force in the personal development of your teams, their well-being and their safety in a serene and pleasant atmosphere, conducive to achieving the objectives they will set for themselves in the service of your strategy, itself aligned with the company's vision.

First of all (80%):

Team Leadership and Development

• Empower managers and team members to take ownership of their roles while fostering autonomy and accountability.
• Build a climate of trust, communication, and collaboration across all teams.
• Support the professional growth of managers and employees through training, skill development, and regular feedback.
• Conduct key performance reviews, including Monthly Decision and Development Interviews (IIDD), mid-year and annual reviews.
• Act as a role model for the company’s values and leadership principles.

Operational Excellence

• Lead the planning, organization, and supervision of production activities, ensuring on-time delivery and adherence to quality standards.
• Oversee the management of the macro plannings and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Analyze production data to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, implementing innovative solutions to enhance processes.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics (KPIs) to track productivity, quality, and profitability.
• Optimize workflows and processes to maintain the company’s profitability goals (10–15% net profit annually).

Strategic and Financial Management

• Collaborate with other leadership team members to define and execute the company’s medium- and long-term strategic objectives.
• Manage departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with company goals and efficient resource allocation.
• Evaluate and recommend production-related investments to improve operations and enhance capabilities.
• Actively contribute to company-wide decision-making and arbitrations, focusing on driving revenue growth, profitability, and employee well-being.

Active Contribution to Squad Cabinet

• Ensure the sharing of production performance through the creation of dashboards.
• Provide suggestions to improve the overall performance of the company.
• Cooperate with other members of the Squad Cabinet and take decisions to grow Jouffre NY’s revenue and profitability, enhance customer satisfaction, and promote employee well-being.

In addition (20%):

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Lead and inspire continuous improvement initiatives with managers to enhance operational performance (experience with Lean Manufacturing is a big plus).
• Stay updated on industry trends, tools, and techniques, integrating relevant innovations into the workshop’s operations.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Work closely with Jouffre’s global entities (Lyon, Rabat, London, Souchet Woodwork) to strengthen operational synergies.
• Develop relationships with external institutions, associations, and collectives, including industry organizations like the Sustainable Furnishing Council.
• Act as an ambassador for Jouffre, representing the company at events, schools, and training centers to strengthen its employer brand.

Safety and CSR

• Ensure adherence to safety regulations in workshops, logistics areas, and production zones.
• Work with the Safety Committee to maintain a secure and healthy work environment.
• Participate in the company’s U.S. CSR initiatives.

We are an artisanal SME, your responsibilities, role and missions are intended to evolve based on the needs of the company, your aspirations, your growth, your proactivity, and the opportunities you may identify!

PROFILE

You are a positive, dynamic, and forward-thinking leader with a proven track record in operational management, including a minimum of 5 years in a similar role with responsibilities in team and production management. Skilled at balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution, you inspire trust, foster collaboration, and drive innovation to achieve exceptional results.

With strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a proactive mindset, you motivate teams to take initiative, embrace challenges, and strive for excellence. You value transparency and cultivate a climate of trust and effective communication. Confident and composed, you adeptly manage complex situations and ensure seamless information flow.

Fluent in English and proficient in Spanish, you excel in using ERP systems and Google Workspace. With a passion for the arts, craftsmanship, and luxury sectors, you bring experience in high-end industries, creating dashboards, managing budgets, and driving operational efficiency.

As Operations Director, you will embody Jouffre’s values while fostering collaboration, achieving both human and economic objectives, and ensuring world-class craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years at a similar level of responsibility.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in team and production management.
• Experience in luxury or high-end industries is strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in English, with proficiency in Spanish; French is a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with a natural authority and collaborative mindset.
• Ability to manage both strategic and operational processes effectively.
• Highly organized and capable of prioritizing effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (Odoo a huge plus) and Google Workspace.
• Skilled in creating and managing dashboards and performance indicators.
• Expertise in negotiation, decision-making, and implementing improvements.
• Deep affinity for craftsmanship, the arts, and the luxury industry.
• Proven ability to lead projects and manage budgets effectively.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Location: Long Island City, NY

Starting Date: Mar 24, 2025

Type of Contract: Full-Time, Exempt

Manager: General Manager

Salary: Between $95,000 and $115,000 annually, depending on the profile

Benefits: Health insurance, 401K, transit check, 4 weeks vacation, 2 personal days, annual profit sharing

A Resume and a Cover Letter are required