Team: Operations
Classification: Exempt
Job Type: Salary, Full-time
Location: Butner, North Carolina
Salary: $213,275-$241,663*

OVERVIEW:

Nugget, a direct-to-consumer kids furniture brand, is looking for an experienced VP of Operations to lead our Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams. As Nugget evolves from a single hero product, the Original Play CouchTM, to the Nugget of tomorrow with multiple products and varying supply chains, this role will provide leadership to all departments within our existing “Make” process while helping to create “what’s next” and operationalize that vision. If you have experience leading a manufacturing organization as a Plant General Manager, VP/Director of Manufacturing or equivalent role and are energized by leading in a dynamic environment - we’d love for you to apply!

What is Nugget? We are a fun-loving startup company (est. 2014) that seeks to bring bold play and big imaginations into everyday life at home. We design, develop, market, manufacture, sell, and ship our part-toy, part-furniture, four-piece Nuggets all from one location, with a team of ~100 Nuggeteers, in Butner, North Carolina (just outside of Durham). And we’re just getting started — this year, Inc. Magazine named us the fastest-growing manufacturing company in the United States. We’re proud to continue the industrial legacy of North Carolina, and to make kids furniture for growing imaginations.

ABOUT THIS ROLE:

Strategy and Leadership

• In alignment with Nugget company strategy and goals, you will develop the key performance measures for your departments and execute to those measures.
• You will partner with the Executive Team to create the long-term vision and company goals for Nugget, with an eye toward the physical operations, and develop the strategy and plans to make that future happen based on our strengths, assets, and potential competitive advantages.
• You’ll provide ongoing leadership support, performance management, regular Check-ins and 1:1’s, semiannual Reviews, and guidance for your team to develop and grow in their roles.
• You will provide strategic oversight to Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain departments, ensuring departmental and interdepartmental initiatives are meeting goals and driving results towards company-wide business objectives.

Project and budget management

• You will assess organizational needs and drive the selection, implementation and adoption of appropriate Operations software – including but not limited to ERP, MRP, Inventory Management, Order Management, Purchasing, Demand Planning, Project Management and Production software.
• You will foster an environment of continuous improvement and innovation in the processes and technologies in your areas of responsibility. You’ll prioritize and oversee implementation of the portfolio of initiatives identified.
• You will be responsible for building a departmental budget (operating and capital) that is aligned with company-wide goals and promotes a culture of creativity, resourcefulness, and responsible spending.
• You will proactively monitor and manage Nugget’s unit costs (people and materials), physical operation overhead, R&D and capital expenditures.

Cross-departmental alignment

• You will ensure Nugget company policies and procedures are effectively and appropriately deployed in your departments. You will ensure all activities are guided by Nugget’s core values.
• You will establish methods to ensure ongoing collaboration, clarity, and alignment across Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain leadership – communicating progress towards business goals to relevant stakeholders across the organization.
• You will partner with the Marketing team to ensure smooth communication and coordination between departments, understanding projected demand throughout the year and ensuring that our FizOps (Physical Operations) plan is built to match and support it efficiently with high-quality and on-time production and fulfillment.
• You will partner with the VP of Product to understand our product roadmap, and then develop a plan to assess and implement appropriate operational solutions that are consistent with budget and business strategy, and provide expertise to Product Development on the manufacturability of products in development.

ABOUT YOU:

• You have 10+ years of Operational Leadership experience, including 7+ years in Manufacturing Leadership roles
• Bonus: You have a degree in Engineering or related discipline. Preference to background in Industrial or Mechanical fields
• You exhibit a proven ability to excel in managing and optimizing complex production processes to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency
• Bonus: Experience with “just in time” manufacturing is preferred
• You have experience being responsible for a team of 100+ people
• You have a successful history of assembling and leading high-performing teams that consistently delivered exceptional and consistent results
• You are adept at developing and executing operational strategies that are tailored to the specific needs and complexities of different markets
• Bonus: Experience in the Home furnishings, Soft Goods (textiles), or Food & Beverage industries with a preference for experience working with D2C companies with seasonal demand
• You have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with and influence across all levels of employees
• You possess the creativity to dream about what’s possible, as well as the focus and analytical thinking required to make it happen
• You are willing to work on-site, in-person five days per week, as is needed
• You anticipate future trends and implications accurately and create competitive and breakthrough strategies that show a clear connection between vision and action
• You have a strong bottom-line orientation and can push yourself and others to achieve results
• You are skilled at building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals, creating a feeling of belonging and strong team morale
• You have experience making strong, timely decisions that consider the whole picture, evaluate risk, and demonstrate good judgment when providing solutions
• You approach work with a “no job is too small” attitude, and have a curious mind - always willing to learn and grow your imagination
• Location and travel requirements: You are willing to work on-site / in-person five days per week! Travel may be requested on occasion, based on business need – estimated 5-10% of the time

BENEFITS:

• Competitive Pay + Annual Company Bonus
• Medical, Dental, and Vision covered at 100% for employees
• PTO, Holidays, and Winter Break
• 401k Employer Match
• Paid parental leave
• Free Nugget + Team Discount