Production Team Lead

THE/STUDIO • Traverse City, MI

1d • Remote

About The Position

THE/STUDIO is seeking a hands-on Production Team Lead to run its sourcing team’s day-to-day operations. The role owns daily task management, SOP compliance, and the order pipeline to help ensure orders ship on time and allow the Manufacturing Manager to focus on strategy. It is a player-coach position: the Lead manages the team while also performing daily sourcing work.

The Production Team Lead will lead and develop sourcing specialists, monitor orders and factory performance, resolve escalations, and improve operational processes. The role works across global teams and has direct access to company leadership, with opportunities to influence product, workflows, and strategy. It is a full-time, exclusive independent contractor position that is 100% remote, with flexible hours and overlap with China-based sourcing staff and teams in the EU and US.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of direct experience in manufacturing, supply chain management, or product sourcing.
• Proven experience managing, training, and evaluating a team, including conducting one-on-ones and holding team members accountable to KPIs and SOPs.
• Track record of independently handling order exceptions, factory delays, and quality-control issues.
• Experience running operational workflows and tracking tools, such as order trackers or ERP systems, to deliver on time.
• Comfort with hands-on daily operational work, including trackers and operational details.
• Exceptional professional-level English proficiency (C1/C2) and clear, concise, articulate communication skills.
• Highly disciplined and self-motivated, with the ability to work as a full-time, dedicated independent contractor in a fully remote setting.
• Reliable remote-work setup, including a fast computer, noise-canceling headset, and stable, high-speed internet connection.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Mandarin to work directly with China-based sourcing staff and factory partners.
• Hands-on process improvement experience, such as Lean or Six Sigma.
• Data analysis or dashboard skills to improve visibility of metrics such as on-time delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sourcing specialists through regular one-on-ones, training, and performance coaching.
• Manage daily operations and ensure the team follows SOPs for order tracking and fulfillment.
• Audit platform communications daily and flag issues that could frustrate customers.
• Monitor the global order pipeline, identify bottlenecks, and resolve them promptly to protect on-time delivery.
• Serve as the first escalation point for complex order exceptions, quality-control failures, and factory delays, resolving issues independently.
• Evaluate manufacturing partners and route production to reliable, high-quality suppliers.
• Analyze operational data and root causes of delays, then design and implement lasting process improvements.
• Collaborate with global Sales, Design, and Support teams to streamline communication and improve the customer experience.
• Perform daily sourcing work and manage operational trackers and details.

Benefits

• Flexible and competitive, outcome-driven compensation tailored to the candidate’s level of impact.
• Opportunity to work directly with the CEO and executive team, with high visibility and direct mentorship.
• Opportunity to influence the product roadmap, workflows, and company strategy.
• High autonomy, minimal red tape, and room for personal and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed