Head of Upholstery Production (Burton James)

Description

About the company 

Burton James, recognized for its high-quality custom seating and home furnishings, is a privately owned, founder-led company with a fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture. We design, sell, and distribute luxury custom seating to interior designers and boutique/luxury retailers around the world.

About the Role

Burton James is seeking an accomplished Head of Upholstery Production to lead full factory operations for custom upholstered furniture. This role oversees daily production execution, quality, and throughput across all departments. The ideal leader brings deep, hands-on knowledge of custom upholstery from start to finish, exceptional team leadership, and strong organizational and operational skills. This position reports to the Brand Director and manages two Production Supervisors, six Department Leads, and a broader team of craftspeople.

Core Responsibilities

• Direct daily operations across all departments including framing, springing and webbing, foam cutting, patterning, fabric    cutting, sewing, cushion stuffing, upholstery, wood component finishing, QC, packaging, and shipping
• Translate detailed order acknowledgements into clear production plans with assignments based on individual skillsets and lead time priorities
• Uphold quality standards from framing through final packaging, resolving issues constructively and implementing solutions to prevent recurrence
• Build production schedules that align with fabric and component availability, tracking throughput, rework, and on-time completion
• Partner with Purchasing to make cost-conscious production decisions, monitor material usage, and identify opportunities for savings in supplies, labor, and process efficiency
• Partner with design and CAD teams to validate construction details, reinforce frames, and confirm any unclear specifications before production begins
• Maintain accurate pattern libraries and upholstery standards, verifying COM requirements to ensure precise planning across all styles and custom dimensions
• Oversee finishing of wood components, ensuring consistency in stain, color match, sheen, and specialty finish techniques
• Coach Supervisors and Leads on daily problem solving, training plans, safety, and performance management while implementing and enforcing clear SOPs across all departments
• Maintain accurate production status updates in internal tracking systems and collaborate with Logistics and QC on packaging, photography, and order documentation standards

Additional Expectations

• Lead daily crew meetings and weekly production reviews with clear actions and follow-through
• Foster a culture of craftsmanship, ownership, and collaboration, through clear and professional communication
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe factory with strong tool care and material handling practices, and ensure consistent use of required PPE
• Support the Production and Upholstery teams across the business entities as needed

Requirements

• 10 or more years in custom upholstery production with mastery across framing, springing, foam and fills, cutting, sewing, upholstery, and finishing of wood components
• 5 or more years leading teams in a custom furniture environment, including Supervisors and Department Leads
• Strong systems & scheduling skills with proven record of meeting lead time commitments
• Bilingual English and Spanish required, with clear verbal and written communication
• Detail oriented and able to read CAD or shop drawings
• Physical ability to move safely throughout a production environment

What we can do for you:

• Play a pivotal role in our company’s transformation and growth
• Maintain work/life balance with day shift work schedules and no weekends, in a wholesale distribution business (no manufacturing)
• Align with a growing company that operates in the luxury market
• Provide training and career development opportunities
• Offer 3 weeks paid time off and 6 paid holidays per service year
• Enjoy a high-paced and collaborative work environment
• Receive up to 6% 401k employer contributions
• Participate in competitive benefits and incentivizing programs

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that are required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. · While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; as well as reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. · Ability to work in open environment with fluctuating temperatures and standard lighting.· Ability to work on computer and mobile phone for multiple hours; with frequent interruptions.· Required to use stairwells to attend meetings and engage with employees on multiple floors throughout building.

Other Considerations: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the role.

CompensationStarting annual salary: $95,000-110,000. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.