What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Manufacturing position at 7th Avenue?
Location: Inglewood, CA
About 7th Avenue
7th Avenue is a modern furniture brand that combines elevated, contemporary aesthetics with functional day-to-day features. Our flagship product, "The World's Greatest Modular Sofa", features endless modularity, water-repellent and stain-resistant fabrics, removable and machine-washable covers, adjustable back cushion firmness, memory foam blend cushions, soft-close hidden storage, and more. All products are sustainably-built, free from harmful chemicals via OEKO-TEX and GreenGuard Gold-certified fabrics, and devoid of flame-retardants and formaldehyde. The frames are incredibly durable and built to last 10 years or more.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee all manufacturing operations, including vendor sourcing, supplier management, and domestic production execution
- Identify, evaluate, and establish relationships with new vendors and suppliers to support scaling production needs
- Partner closely with external designers to translate product concepts into manufacturable, cost-effective solutions
- Oversee domestic production processes end-to-end, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and cost targets are consistently met
- Develop and implement manufacturing strategies, SOPs, and production workflows as the company scales
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, and contracts with vendors and suppliers to optimize margins and operational efficiency
- Monitor supplier performance, ensuring quality, reliability, and compliance with company standards
- Collaborate with operations, logistics, and inventory teams to ensure seamless material flow and production scheduling
- Establish KPIs and performance metrics across manufacturing and supplier networks
- Identify and resolve production bottlenecks, quality issues, and operational inefficiencies
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing manufacturing and production team
- Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on manufacturing performance, risks, and opportunities
Qualifications & Requirements
- 10 years of experience in manufacturing, sourcing, or production leadership roles
- Proven experience managing vendors and suppliers, including sourcing, negotiation, and performance management
- Strong background in domestic production environments, preferably within furniture, consumer goods, or similar industries
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with design, operations, and supply chain teams
- Experience building and scaling manufacturing processes in a fast-paced environment
- Strong operational mindset with the ability to balance quality, speed, and cost
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills
- Hands-on approach with the ability to dive into both strategic and tactical execution
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as NetSuite and standard productivity tools
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in furniture manufacturing, upholstery, or woodworking
- Background in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or 5S methodologies
- Experience establishing domestic manufacturing networks in the United States
- Prior experience in a high-growth or startup environment
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $DOE
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Company 401(k)
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday