Director of Manufacturing

About Williams-Sonoma - Claremont, NC

Since it was founded in 1956, Williams - Sonoma has grown from Chuck Williams’ single store in Sonoma, CA into one of the largest retailers in the country, with some best known and most beloved brands in home furnishings, including Williams - Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm.

Our Distribution Centers serve as vital connections between factories and our retail, online and mail-order customers around the world. The Supply Chain environment is dynamic and fast-paced, and the network is expanding rapidly. If you have a background in distribution, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, finance, human resources or home delivery – and are looking for a job with a strong opportunity for gaining new skills and for advancement – our Supply Chain Organization could be just the place for you.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc Supply Chain Overview

In 2024, Williams-Sonoma was recognized as a Great Place to Work and Forbes Best Employers for Women and Diversity, honors which reflect that we are truly a people-first organization. Our operation includes:

• Over 4,000 Full-Time Associates across the Supply Chain
• 14.5M square feet of small parcel, personalization, furniture, and manufacturing space in the domestic US, Williams-Sonoma has developed an agile and capable distribution network consisting of the following:
• Large package / furniture distribution centers located in Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey totaling 9.2M square feet plus another 1.2M square feet of standalone final-mile furniture hubs.
• Small package eCommerce distribution centers located in Mississippi and Arizona totaling 3.2M square feet, consisting of over 1,000 full-time associates and 1,500 seasonal/temporary associates in Mississippi
• Sutter Street Manufacturing upholstery factories located in North Carolina and Mississippi totaling with over 1,400 full-time employees producing approximately $900 million to $1 billion in sales of upholstered furniture
• 700 associates in our Sourcing offices in 10 countries in Asia and Europe including China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Italy, and Turkey

This position is responsible for the overall strategy and efficient daily operations of the Sutter South upholstery manufacturing facility. This position has the primary accountability for performance results in production, safety, quality, cost, customer service, and associate relations within the facility.

The director will oversee the management of all areas of the manufacturing facility – including Production, Warehousing, Shipping, and Facilities departments, to ensure that products are manufactured and shipped on schedule, while meeting/exceeding quality standards and cost objectives. This position will build, develop, and manage a leadership team capable of carrying out operational strategies and execution excellence in a high growth environment.

Director of Manufacturing position is located in Claremont, NC.

You’ll be excited about this opportunity because you will....

• Develop and implement strategic, long, and short-term plans, while establishing processes and procedures for maintaining high standards of manufacturing operations to ensure that all products conform to customer and quality standards.
• Develop, train, lead, and direct a team of professional associates to perform daily tasks promptly with high standards to achieve departmental and facility production goals using documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while leading through example and demonstrating integrity and always acting in a responsible and accountable manner.
• Oversee all facility, upholstery manufacturing functions, including cutting, sewing, frame assembly and finished goods assembly, and the vendor base to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective achievement of performance goals while identifying, recommending, and implementing changes to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Establish and promote hard work ethics through teamwork and collaboration with associates and partner with managers to coordinate team assignments and to maximize the productivity of the departments while ensuring quality and adhering to and complying with all policies.
• Share business information and listen to teammates while communicating with managers verbally and through required reporting while periodically checking work and coaching on productivity pace and methods.
• Partner with Human Resources to deploy leadership development opportunities, driving performance management, building a diverse workforce, and introduction of change management concepts to build an engaged and high performing workforce.
• Have direct responsibilities including but not limited to:
• Establishment, implementation, and maintenance of production standards.
• On-time shipment of customer orders and schedule completion.
• Drive operational process and inventory control procedures, including cycle counting, to maintain accurate inventory levels.
• Inventory counts and WIP review to identify problems and ensure items are moving in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Ensure capacity loaded schedules are set and to ensure on-time completion.
• The primary point of accountability for the achievement of budget goals within manufacturing facility submitting for approval all annual manufacturing budget recommendations.
• Drive a culture that emphasizes workplace safety, a People First environment, open communication, empowerment, and recognition.
• Will solicit opinions of team members on effectiveness of department operations to maximize productivity levels.
• Develop and maintain daily/weekly productivity reports and suggest improvements to current techniques and processes.
• Exhibit characteristics of a leader who is determined, results-oriented, persuasive and a strong communicator with a willingness to work a regular business schedule with the flexibility to work evenings, nights, and weekends as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Check out some of the required qualifications we are looking for in amazing candidates….

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• At least 10+ years of proven, successful production management experience in upper end upholstered furniture.
• Proficient use of MS Office products, and Material Resource Planning (MRP) system.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment to assure delivery requirements.
• Demonstrate the ability to keep accurate records and follow documented procedures and standards and have good Problem-solving skills.
• Proven success in the management of people and very strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively and cooperatively as a team member with other associates and managers.
• Must have a strong sense of urgency and time management to meet established deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and reasoning abilities; problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.

We prefer some of these qualities as well….

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Engineering, or related field.
• Prior experience in a Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma environment with demonstrated record of implementing change, driving cost improvements, and increasing efficiencies.
• Prior experience with Microsoft AX.
• Bilingual; English and Spanish.

Review these physical requirements, as they play a major part in this role….

• Able to bend, reach, squat, and occasionally climb stairs.
• Must have the ability to sit or stand for 12-hour periods.

Our company benefits are second to none in the industry….

• Generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brand products.
• 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities.
• Paid vacations, Employee Assistance Programs, Time Off to Volunteer, Matching Gifts Community Service Program, and Holidays (in some locations).
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits, Legal and Identity Protection Plans and Pet Insurance.
• For more information on our benefits offerings, please visit MyWSIBenefits.com .

EOE