Head of Operations - Jewellery

Location: Kolkata
Position Title: Head of Operations - Jewellery
Designation of the Employee: Head of Operations - Jewellery
Designation of the Manager: CEO

The Head of the Jewelry Department will lead and supervise all facets of the jewelry division, fostering creativity, innovation, and strategic guidance. This role encompasses overseeing the production of high-end jewelry collections, ensuring the brand maintains its commitment to excellence and luxury.

This is an Indian fashion cum jewelry designer who started his eponymous label in 1999. He nurtured the brand with one vision—to resurrect India’s painstakingly meticulous heritage of textiles, fabrics, and artisanal workmanship. He is the first Indian designer to showcase at Browns, London, and also won a National Award for the best costume designer for the film 'Black'. Today, with flagship stores across the country and in NY, formidable global and national collaborations, and a strong foothold in the Indian film and television industry, 

2) Key Result Areas:

Operational Leadership:

• Develop and execute the operational strategy for the jewelry department in alignment with the brand's identity and goals.
• Identify market trends, consumer preferences, competitive landscapes, and global advances in manufacturing techniques/technology to drive product manufacturing innovation and brand differentiation, directing New Product Development in Jewellery.
• Develop contingency plans for potential business disruptions and operational risks to ensure business continuity.
• Collaborate closely with the jewelry design team to enable FTR manufacturing and pursue new product extensions.

Production and Quality Control:

• Oversee the production process, working closely with manufacturing partners and in-house production teams to ensure timely and high-quality jewelry manufacturing.
• Implement and maintain stringent quality control measures to uphold the brand's reputation for craftsmanship and excellence in every piece produced.
• Continuously review and improve operational processes.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and best practices.
• Drive efficiency and productivity improvements.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and ethical standards.
• Promote sustainable and responsible jewelry production practices.
• Oversee MDM activities.

Operations Support - Sourcing & MDM:

• Oversee sourcing strategy and execution for Jewellery in line with design, retail fulfillment, and operational requirements.
• Manage the overall supply chain activities from raw material sourcing to the delivery and logistics of finished goods up to retail/store connect.

Cost Control & Budget Management:

• Ensure competitive terms with sourcing vendors.
• Monitor production costs and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Implement strategies to reduce production expenses.
• Develop and manage the operational budget and ensure financial targets are met.
• Manage inventory planning and levels across all touchpoints, WIP, and FG, in line with business deliverables.

Workforce Management:

• Build and lead a skilled and motivated production team.
• Develop training programs for staff development.
• Ensure a safe and productive working environment.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management:

• Lead vendor development across the production value chain.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers, and strategic partners.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., design, retail, marketing, PR, HR, finance) to ensure alignment and synergy in business operations and objectives.

Team Management:

• Manpower planning, recruitment, training, and retention.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive work culture.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and implement strategies to enhance team cohesion and individual growth within the department.

Internal:

• Retail Team: Daily/Weekly
• Design Team: As per requirement
• Production: Daily
• Marketing: As per requirement
• Logistics: As per requirement
• Finance: Monthly/Quarterly
• IT: As per requirement

Provide the structure for a level above and below the position.

Above:

• CEO

Below:

• Assistant Manager - Merchandising
• Production Head
• Manager – NPD
• Manager - Sourcing
• Sr. Manager - MDM
• Jewellery Merchandiser
• Manager - Central Planning & Warehousing
• Head - Quality (Jewellery)

• Demonstrated experience in running jewelry operations, especially high-end jewelry manufacturing and handcrafted high-end jewelry, including stones/studded jewelry with high-value single/statement stones.
• Additional experience in industrial jewelry manufacturing would be desirable.
• Certification in gemology and expertise in assessing, evaluating, and sourcing diamonds and precious as well as natural/semi-precious stones.
• Well networked within the jewelry ecosystem, including industry bodies and material vendors across the input materials spectrum both domestically and internationally.
• International experience is desirable given the planned retail expansion.