Director of Operations

Ostbye is a 4th-generation family owned jewelry manufacturer, recently recognized as the 5th Best Performing Jewelry Brand by Retailer Jewelers in InStore Magazine (2025) and named IJO Supplier of the Year – an award voted on directly by the independent retail jewelers we serve. We serve independent jewelers across the country and take pride in being a company where people genuinely enjoy showing up to work. We're growing fast and looking for people who want to grow with us. At Ostbye, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your contribution is visible from day one. The Role We're looking for an experienced operations leader to own our production and fulfillment operations. You'll lead two core functions - Production (jewelry manufacturing) and Inventory/Fulfillment - and be the person who makes our operational engine run better every single day. This isn't a role for someone who manages from a distance. You'll be on the floor, in the details, coaching your team, fixing what's broken, and building the processes that let us scale. You'll report directly to our President/Integrator and work side-by-side with our Director of Brand & Customer Experience to make sure what we promise on the front of the house, we deliver on the back. If you're a builder who leads from the front, thrives on process improvement, and gets energy from developing people - this is the role you've been looking for. What You'll Do Lead & Develop Your Teams Own two functions: Production (manufacturing) and Inventory/Fulfillment Lead, coach, and hold your team accountable - 1:1s, clear expectations, and consistent follow-through Be the escalation point when things get complicated - and bring clarity, not chaos Drive Process Improvement Find the bottlenecks, fix the inefficiencies, and build the SOPs that make improvements stick Monitor operational metrics - production output, fulfillment accuracy, order cycle time - and act on what you see Lead cross-functional problem solving when issues span Production and Inventory/Fulfillment Own Production Partner with the Production Manager to keep manufacturing on schedule, on quality, and on cost Support production scheduling, capacity planning, and casting/supplier management Drive continuous improvement on the floor - cycle times, rework reduction, quality consistency Own Inventory & Fulfillment Partner with the Inventory team to keep inventory accurate, orders flowing, and customers happy Oversee order processing, invoicing, shipping, vault management, and FBA fulfillment Ensure the team has the tools, clarity, and support to execute every day What Success Looks Like In your first 90 days, a successful Director of Operations at Ostbye: Has built trust with the Production and Inventory/Fulfillment teams - they know you're in their corner Has completed a full operational assessment and presented at least one process improvement initiative Is running consistent 1:1s and has set clear goals with every direct report Has established a metrics cadence - you know the numbers and the team knows you're watching Has built a strong working relationship with the Director of Brand & Customer Experience Has earned the trust of the President/Integrator - things are running better than when you arrived What You'll Bring 7+ years of progressive operations experience, including 3+ years leading multiple teams or functions Proven track record of process improvement - you've built SOPs, eliminated waste, and made operations measurably better Experience in manufacturing, wholesale, or consumer goods strongly preferred A coaching-first leadership style - you develop people, not just manage tasks Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification a plus Bachelor's degree in Operations, Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred Ability to commute to Minneapolis, MN - this is an on-site role What You'll Receive Salary: $90,000 - $120,000 / year based on experience Set weekday schedule: Monday - Friday - nights and weekends are always yours Paid time off 401(k) with employer match Frequent team outings and company giveaways Our Core Values These aren't words on a wall. They're how we operate every day: Honest Days Work - Caring, dedicated, passionate, and flexible Relentless Growth - Growing our customers, ourselves, and the company Delivering Value - Quality, integrity, and earning the reputation we have Solution Centered - Team players who solve problems and spot opportunity We Laugh at Ourselves - Fun, outgoing, and don't take ourselves too seriousl #J-18808-Ljbffr Ostbye