Director of Operations – HFDF

About Us

Effy Jewelry is a prestigious, family-run luxury retail company with over 40 years of expertise. The company is renowned for its exquisite jewelry collections available in over 150 boutiques globally, including land-based and cruise locations. A distinct division, HF Duty Free Team (HFDF), focuses on diverse product categories within the duty-free and travel retail market, partnering with leading brands to offer exceptional travel retail experiences worldwide.

Position Overview

The Director of Operations – HFDF acts as the top operational executive overseeing all initiatives related to inventory, systems, vessel execution, and onboard operations. This individual is responsible for maintaining inventory accuracy, ensuring systems and SOP compliance, safeguarding assets, managing the operation budget including controlling costs and productivity, and guaranteeing consistent high-quality execution across all vessels.

This role serves as the main escalation contact for cruise line partners and collaborates closely with Merchandising, Planning, Logistics, Finance, IT, Marketing, and Visual Marketing teams to ensure alignment between strategy and flawless operational delivery. The Director of Operations establishes robust structures, accountability measures, and scalable procedures to protect assets, margins, and the brand’s reputation while supporting business growth.

Having decision-making authority on go/no-go calls, inventory holds, launch delays, and escalation resolutions, this leader also manages regulatory compliance, prepares for audits, and oversees incident responses across all jurisdictions. Additionally, they lead operational change efforts associated with company expansion, new cruise line partnerships, and innovative retail concepts, while also engaging in executive reporting, strategic planning, and senior leadership meetings.

Year One Success Criteria

• Maintain high inventory accuracy across all vessels
• Decrease operational escalations
• Drive standard operating procedure (SOP) adoption and compliance
• Achieve on-time and complete launches for vessels
• Ensure high levels of cruise line operational satisfaction

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise operational framework including inventory management, systems integrity, SOP adherence, asset protection, and budget management.
• Ensure all operational commitments are consistently fulfilled across multiple cruise lines and partner brands.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for complex operational problems, providing timely solutions and clear communication.
• Oversee inventory accuracy encompassing counts, reconciliations, replenishment, and onboard operations.
• Manage operational ownership of POS, inventory systems, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 to ensure accurate data and compliance.
• Coordinate duty-free reporting, reconciliations, financial operations, and invoice validation in collaboration with Finance.
• Supervise operational planning for new vessel builds, refurbishments, activations, and special projects, ensuring smooth handoffs from logistics and warehousing to onboard teams.
• Manage resource allocation like IT equipment, uniforms, and training schedules for vessel launches.
• Collaborate with logistics to guarantee timely stock deliveries and quick resolution of any discrepancies.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs in partnership with functional leaders while ensuring workflows are clearly documented and applied consistently.
• Lead efforts to improve processes and foster alignment between Operations, Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Logistics departments.
• Act as the primary operational liaison for cruise line partners such as Carnival, Holland America Line, Seabourn, NCL, and Four Seasons Yachts.
• Oversee shoreside-to-ship operational communication involving pricing, promotions, system updates, and financial documentation.
• Review and approve operational elements of promotions, retail concepts, and RA submissions.
• Lead system implementations, upgrades, and integration projects with IT, managing troubleshooting and support coordination.
• Ensure accuracy and timely updates for PLU files, pricing, promotions, and system reports.
• Direct and develop the HFDF Operations team including shoreside managers, vessel support staff, and systems/process specialists.
• Establish clear roles and responsibilities across cruise lines and functions, fostering mentorship, structure, and performance management to drive consistent excellence.
• Build a scalable operations organization capable of supporting ongoing growth opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Over 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, preferably within cruise retail, duty-free, luxury retail, or other complex multi-location organizations.
• Proven track record managing large-scale operational teams and portfolios.
• Strong expertise in inventory management, systems governance, SOP development, and financial operational processes.
• Experience working with external partners in regulated business environments.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A hands-on leadership approach emphasizing structure, accountability, and execution.

Why Join HFDF

• Lead large-scale operations for a global portfolio of cruise retail endeavors.
• High-profile leadership role with direct influence on company performance, partnerships, and growth trajectories.
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial atmosphere supported by strong executive relationships.
• Opportunity to shape and evolve operational strategies amid company expansion and transformation.

Compensation

The annual salary range is $100,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Additional Information

• Applicants must hold valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application and maintain it throughout their employment; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Effy Jewelry is dedicated to workplace diversity and ensures equal opportunities regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship, disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, marital or veteran status, or any other lawful protected characteristic.
• Candidate evaluation focuses solely on job qualifications without regard to disability or accommodation needs.