For a quarter of a century, the Jellycat family have brought joy, wonder and playful fun to people of all ages, in every part of the world. Utterly original and in a class of their own, they are currently among the most loved and collected toys of their kind. How has this gentle tribe endeared themselves to so many? Perhaps it is their whimsical expressions. Or the deliciously soft fabrics. Or the beautiful way in which they sit in your hand. Whatever it is, there is something magical and unmistakeable about each one of them.

The Global Production Director will contribute to and execute the Jellycat global production strategy, operational efficiency, and growth of the production facilities. 

This senior role will contribute to the development of and oversee a large-scale, multinational operation, ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and high-quality production of Jellycat products across various markets. 

The individual will work closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, design, logistics, and sales, to achieve business goals and maintain high standards of operational excellence. 

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a strategic leader to have a significant impact on a global company in the gift manufacturing industry, ensuring operational excellence and continuous growth in the competitive marketplace.

Note: This role requires regular travel to multiple production facilities and regional offices across the Far East, and beyond.

You'll be;

• Supporting the Chief Production Office to develop and execute the global production strategy
• Managing innovation in manufacturing processes
• Aligning production efforts with the company's broader business strategy
• Overseeing day to day global production facilities and ensure the efficient operation of manufacturing sites across different regions
• Set and maintain high standards for manufacturing practices
• Overseeing our production schedules, resource utilization, and capacity planning
• Ensure compliance with local and international regulatory standards for production, labour, and environmental sustainability
• Developing and executing our social responsibility programs aligned with the company’s goals
• Contributing efforts to ensure corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives are integrated into the company’s regional business strategy
• Collaborating with finance and procurement teams to forecast and control production-related expenses to identify cost savings if needed
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors
• Evaluating new suppliers and negotiate contracts to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and delivery timelines.
• Leading a diverse, global team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture
• Developing talent within the production team, providing coaching and mentorship to build a strong succession pipeline
• Ensuring the team has the necessary training and development to meet production goals and industry trends
• Working with our manufacturing partners, establish and enforce rigorous quality control processes to ensure product consistency and adherence to specifications
• Implementing continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes using lean manufacturing techniques, Six Sigma, or other relevant methodologies
• Analysing production data to identify trends, inefficiencies and areas for improvement
• Partnering with design and product development teams to understand and implement new product concepts and manufacturing requirements
• Collaborating with logistics and supply chain teams to ensure the smooth movement of materials and finished goods globally
• Working with marketing and sales teams to forecast demand, ensuring production capacity meets customer requirements

You'll have;

• 10+ years of experience in production or operations leadership, with at least 5 years in a global capacity, and preferably within the gift or consumer goods sector
  
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field
• Expertise in production planning, process optimisation, and quality management systems
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong financial acumen and experience with budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a very fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market conditions
• A deep understanding of manufacturing technologies and trends
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Knowledge of relevant environmental, health, and safety standards
• Proven experience in managing multi-site, multinational production operations
• Strong knowledge of supply chain management, sourcing, and vendor relations
• Fluency in languages (preferred but not required) and cultural sensitivity to manage diverse, global team