Operations Manager at Modern Meadow

Modern Meadow was founded to address the pressing global challenge: the materials that underpin the way we live, work, and play and that support our well-being are fundamentally unsustainable. We believe it’s possible to have it all: high quality, high performing, beautiful and affordable materials that substantially improve sustainability. 

Inspired by Nature. Driven by Purpose. Partners for Action.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Development: You will own the product development process with our partner tanneries and will refine our synthetic leather products, troubleshoot issues and make necessary adjustments to process.
• Expertise: You will be the in-house expert on all things leather and provide insight and guidance on chemistries, production processes, and overall best practices.
• On-Site Production Oversight: Visit partner tanneries regularly to oversee the production of our synthetic leather, providing guidance and ensuring adherence to our quality standards.
• Quality Assurance: Own the leather production process from start to finish to ensure the final product meets our rigorous quality specifications.
• Technical Expertise: Apply extensive knowledge of traditional leather manufacturing processes to enhance the performance and quality of our synthetic leather.
• Guidance: Provide guidance and feedback to internal technical teams on field findings and work with them to optimize product and process
• Troubleshooting: Perform on-the-spot troubleshooting to resolve production issues and achieve the desired product outcomes.
• Additional responsibilities: Implement and manage APQP and other quality methodologies with CMO. Supply Chain Support including support with shipping and customs 

Experience, Skills & Knowledge: 

• 15+ years of experience in leather manufacturing, with a deep understanding of the various stages of leather production including wet end, milling, buffing, color matching, finishing, and special processing. Familiarity with sustainable and synthetic leather alternatives is a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners/tanneries.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot processes to achieve desired customer specifications
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key production and industry partners
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lift and transport items up to 50 pounds
• Requires international travel to tanneries (50%) and cadence of on-site presence at our HQ (Nutley, NJ)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Degree in Leather Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with sustainable and synthetic leather alternatives.

What We Offer 

We believe in investing in our employees’ wellbeing and professional growth a Modern Meadow and are pleased to offer comprehensive benefits for the total health of our organization including:  

• Competitive compensation that includes equity 
• Retirement planning (401k Matching) 
• Flexible paid time off  
• Winter Break (Company observed reset and recharge, final week of the year) 
• Commuter Benefits  
• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental, vision, life, and disability 
• Identity Theft and Legal services (LifeLock and LegalShield)  
• Family services that include fertility benefits and equal paid parental leave 

Details of these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. 

Modern Meadow is an equal opportunity employer. 
In accordance with anti-discrimination law, we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.