Director of Rug Operations

Holland & Sherry•Norwalk, CT

15d•Onsite

About The Position

Elizabeth Eakins and Holland & Sherry - two heritage brands renowned for craftsmanship, quality, and design excellence - are seeking a Director of Rug Operations (or Rug Operations Manager, depending on experience) to lead and unify all rug-related operations across both businesses. This is a senior, hands-on operations leadership role responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of rug production and fulfillment, from mill production through finishing, warehousing, sampling, delivery, and installation readiness. The role plays a critical part in supporting growth, improving margins, and ensuring operational excellence as both brands continue to expand their rug collections and custom offerings. About the Role This position consolidates operational oversight into a single, experienced leader who will bring structure, clarity, and scalability to rug operations across both brands. The Director of Rug Operations will partner closely with sales and creative leadership while owning execution, efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. The role is based in Norwalk, CT and leads on-site warehouse, production, and finishing teams.

Requirements

8–12+ years of experience in operations, production, or manufacturing leadership
Proven ability to manage managers and multi-layered teams
Hands-on leadership style with strategic thinking capability
Strong understanding of production workflows, logistics, and quality control
Financial and margin awareness with experience managing budgets and costs
Highly organized, accountable, and execution-focused
Comfortable in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ERP or production systems experience strongly preferred

Nice To Haves

Strong preference for experience in rugs, textiles, furniture, or high-end interiors manufacturing

Responsibilities

Own and unify all rug operations across Elizabeth Eakins and Holland & Sherry
Lead, mentor, and manage managers across product management, warehouse operations, mending/finishing, and sample departments
Establish clear workflows, accountability, and performance standards
Serve as the operational counterpart to sales and creative leadership
Oversee production schedules, purchase orders, and timelines across domestic and international mills
Maintain strong relationships with mills, finishing partners, and key vendors
Ensure consistent quality control standards across all products
Partner with executive leadership on costing, margins, and operational budgets
Oversee warehouse operations including receiving, storage, inventory accuracy, and outbound logistics
Manage and optimize sample programs, budgets, and inventory across both brands
Improve systems related to sample flow, tracking, and lifecycle management
Bringing advanced finishing and mending services in-house, including staffing, training, equipment, and workflow development
Building an internal delivery, spread, and installation service, beginning locally and scaling nationally
Reducing reliance on third-party providers while capturing meaningful margin expansion
Creating bundled offerings that enhance service levels and profitability
Design and implement systems that support growth, consistency, and operational clarity
Improve cross-department communication and execution
Support new collection launches from an operational readiness perspective
Lead special projects that increase efficiency, service quality, and profitability