Director of Embroidery Division

The Director of the Embroidery Division is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for all embroidery and related decoration activities within the organization. This role requires a proven leader with extensive experience in embroidery production and apparel decoration, as well as the ability to implement best practices that drive efficiency, quality, and growth. The Director will be accountable for ensuring that the division operates with excellence in production, staff development, quality assurance, and cross-functional collaboration.  Position reports directly to our company President.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Direct all day-to-day operations of the embroidery division, including scheduling, workflow management, and staffing requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with organizational standards.
• Oversee material planning and procurement to maintain production readiness and cost efficiency.
• Align division objectives with broader organizational goals to support sustained growth.

Technical Expertise

• Evaluate embroidery file formats (e.g., DST) to ensure designs translate into optimal production outcomes.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of embroidery machinery, fabrics, and stitching techniques to ensure superior product quality.
• Oversee the integration and utilization of related decoration methods, including Direct-to-Film (DTF), heat press, and screen printing, to expand division capabilities.

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to embroidery staff, ensuring professional growth and alignment with performance standards.
• Establish clear performance metrics and monitor team productivity, quality, and compliance.
• Cultivate a professional culture that emphasizes accountability, teamwork, and pride in workmanship.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Establish and enforce rigorous quality control measures across all stages of production.
• Identify and implement process improvements designed to enhance efficiency, consistency, and client satisfaction.
• Proactively resolve technical or production issues to ensure adherence to client specifications and internal standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with sales, customer service, and design teams to ensure accurate interpretation of client requirements and production feasibility.
• Provide technical input during the design and sales process to ensure alignment between creative concepts and operational capabilities.
• Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives that position the division for long-term success and growth.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Success in this role will be measured by performance against the following key indicators:

• Production Efficiency: Achieving established output targets while maintaining cost-effectiveness and minimizing downtime.
• Quality Metrics: Consistently meeting or exceeding defined quality assurance standards, including error/rework rates.
• On-Time Delivery: Meeting or surpassing delivery deadlines for client orders with minimal exceptions.
• Employee Development & Retention: Demonstrating measurable improvement in staff skills, engagement, and retention rates.
• Operational Improvements: Implementation of process enhancements resulting in measurable increases in efficiency or capacity.
• Financial Performance: Meeting or exceeding budgetary goals for the division, including cost management and contribution to      profitability.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effective collaboration with sales, design, and customer service teams, evidenced by client      satisfaction and reduced production issues.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in embroidery, apparel decoration, or production management.
• Demonstrated expertise in embroidery operations, DST file usage, and fabric/machine performance.
• Familiarity with complementary decoration processes, including DTF, heat press, and screen printing.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, implement operational best practices, and manage large-scale production initiatives.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.