Custom Upholstery Shop Lead

Job Description

Job Description

  About This Posting

This position is for Mike Hamad Upholstery , the Brainerd Lakes area's provider of custom automotive, marine, residential, and commercial upholstery design and repair. The posting may appear under Seeds of Creation LLC , which provides administrative support—including hiring and HR services—for Mike Hamad Upholstery and other affiliated companies. Your employment, if hired, will be with Mike Hamad Upholstery.

About Mike Hamad Upholstery

Mike Hamad Upholstery delivers high‑quality, durable, and visually stunning upholstery solutions that exceed expectations. We specialize in automotive, marine, residential, and commercial interiors, maintaining a positive, team‑driven environment where top‑tier workmanship and customer satisfaction are always the priority. 

Our Core Values

At the heart of our organization are three core values that guide everything we do—from daily tasks to long‑term goals. These values are more than ideals; they are expectations for how we show up, serve others, and grow together. They shape our hiring, training, recognition, and daily team culture.

Excellence

We pursue excellence with confidence and humility—owning our work, communicating clearly, and refusing to compromise on quality. True excellence blends skill with continuous learning, personal responsibility, and a team‑first mindset. We show up prepared, we do the work right, and we always look for ways to improve.

Compassion (Others‑First Service)

Compassion is action. We lead with empathy, selflessness, and teamwork, putting the needs of others first while holding ourselves to high standards. We serve with care, offer support, and build people up—without enabling excuses or sacrificing accountability.

Purpose (You Were Made for This)

We believe work is more than a job—it is an opportunity to make a difference through your unique strengths. Whether you plan, quote, manage, or upholster, your work brings value to others. The best team members know their "why," and they use their insight, skill, and integrity to make things better.

If this role aligns with the kind of work you know you are meant to do—if it reflects your purpose—we want to give you the platform to live that out. Join a team that values meaningful contribution and supports one another in turning purpose into practice.

Position Summary

We are seeking a full‑time Custom Upholstery Shop Lead Technician/Manager who will bridge customers and technicians, lead daily operations, and champion quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. As part of a growing upholstery network that includes Wichterman’s Upholstery in Chanhassen, this Brainerd Lakes shop offers a rare leadership opportunity at a pivotal moment of expansion. This role is the first of several positions being added in summer 2025, setting the stage for steady growth while collaborating closely with our Chanhassen team. If you thrive in a fast‑paced, detail‑oriented team environment where creativity meets precision, we would love to meet you.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers to define design requirements and expectations.
• Translate customer specifications into clear job instructions for the upholstery team.
• Order and manage materials, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget.
• Coordinate workflow to meet promised completion dates, arranging pick‑up and delivery with customers.
• Maintain compliance with company processes, safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and quality.
• Foster a positive, team‑driven culture focused on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of management or supervisory experience (upholstery or related skilled trade management preferred).
• Two or more years of hands‑on upholstery or strong custom design portfolio in automotive, marine, or furniture.
• Proficiency with sewing machines, staple guns, hot knives, and leather, vinyl, foam, and fabric materials.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment with high attention to detail.
• Formal upholstery training or significant custom design experience is a plus.
• Reliable, self‑motivated leader with clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Physically able to bend, kneel, lift, and work with heavy components with or without reasonable accommodation.
  Mike Hamad Upholstery is an equal-opportunity employer