Director of Operations

About RealCraft

RealCraft specializes in crafting solid wood doors by hand with expert craftsmanship in Gig Harbor, Washington. We pride ourselves on delivering premium solid wood carriage and bifolding garage doors directly to customers across the U.S. and Canada, making us the only direct-to-consumer supplier in this niche. Our commitment is to excellence in craft, people, and client experience.

Role Overview

The Director of Operations will spearhead efforts to develop the operational framework necessary for scaling our business while preserving the quality, craftsmanship, and culture that distinguish us. This leadership role demands creating and enhancing systems, accountability, and visibility throughout production and delivery processes to ensure smooth and consistent performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage production scheduling, workflow, and efficiency across all orders.
• Supervise the Shop Manager, Purchasing and Inventory Lead, and Project Manager.
• Define, monitor, and report on daily and weekly production metrics, ensuring clear expectations and accountability.
• Ensure labor hour efficiency and proactively address inefficiencies to prevent customer impact.
• Maintain a visible and trusted presence on the production floor.
• Oversee material availability, delivery timelines, and supplier dependability well in advance to prevent production delays.
• Conduct regular meetings to identify possible scheduling or supply risks and collaborate with purchasing to resolve issues.
• Act as a liaison among production, sales, customer service, and design to ensure alignment and clear communication.
• Collaborate with Sales Manager to align production capacity with sales commitments.
• Implement effective escalation procedures to facilitate rapid and accurate information flow.
• Represent operations in leadership discussions, offering data-supported insights to achieve consensus.
• Approach operational decisions with a focus on customer experience, particularly related to delivery performance.
• Lead hiring, performance management, disciplinary actions, and terminations for production and warehouse teams in partnership with the Shop Manager and People Operations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, clarity, and continuous improvement on the floor.
• Provide weekly operational reports to the President & CEO, translating shop realities into strategic insights.
• Support strategic planning including forecasting and capacity assessment alongside the CEO.
• Track and report delivery performance relative to customer commitments.
• Coordinate with sales and customer service teams to set realistic delivery timelines and manage risk escalation promptly.

Qualifications

Mandatory:

• Minimum of 3 years' leadership experience in operations within manufacturing, custom production, or craft-focused industries.
• Proven ability to develop and enhance operational systems for scheduling, reporting, escalation, and accountability.
• Strong communication skills effective with both shop floor employees and executive leadership.
• Data literacy to track key metrics, present findings clearly, and drive informed decisions.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities.
• A high level of personal accountability and initiative.

Preferred:

• Background in millwork, cabinetry, custom woodworking, or related artisanal manufacturing sectors.
• Experience managing supply chain risks and vendor relationships.
• Previous work experience with founder- or owner-led companies.
• Familiarity with production management tools such as Trello and Excel.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary ranges from $115,000 to $125,000 annually, depending on experience.
• The role is based onsite at Gig Harbor, Washington.
• Benefits include health insurance, matching Simple IRA contributions, paid time off, holiday pay, parental leave, vision and dental insurance, and wellness resources, including extended paid time off over the Christmas holiday.