Production Manager - Special Orders

Blue Nile•New York, NY

8h•$80,000 - $105,000

About The Position

R2Net is a diamond bridal jewelry company with a technology soul. R2Net Inc. is an innovative technology company that provides e-commerce and supply chain platforms to connect the entire span of the diamond industry’s ecosystem, including manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. The Production Manager – Special Production is responsible for overseeing workflow, quality, and daily operations across R2Net’s High Value, Custom, and Customer Repair manufacturing lines. This role leads a team of skilled benchworkers and one Team Lead to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of complex, high-touch orders while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship, quality, and service. This position drives productivity, provides technical leadership, and supports continuous improvement initiatives to enhance both daily performance and long-term operational effectiveness. The role is hands-on and requires an experienced jeweler who can troubleshoot complex bench issues while also leading people, managing workflow, and implementing process improvements.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in jewelry manufacturing with a minimum of 3+ years in a management role.
Candidates must have a deep understanding of jewelry production spaces and techniques.
Accomplished jeweler with strong hands-on skills in polishing, benchwork, and stone setting.
Experience leading or mentoring skilled artisans, craftsmen, or jewelers.
Strong communication skills; bilingual in English and Spanish preferred (verbal and ideally written).
High emotional intelligence and ability to foster a positive team environment.
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in communication and documentation.
Proactive manager who can identify needs, propose solutions, and drive training and development.
Sense of urgency, respect, and professionalism.
Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
Customer‑centric mindset with the ability to balance service expectations and production constraints.

Nice To Haves

Ideal candidate is experienced in a range of production, including experience in high value production

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop a team of benchworkers and a Team Lead working on High Value, Custom, and Customer Repair orders.
Create an environment focused on skill development, productivity, accountability, and craftsmanship excellence, working with training and quality control to ensure alignment across departments.
Provide daily guidance, performance feedback, and mentoring to support employee growth.
Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.
Daily Production Management
Manage day-to-day operations to ensure all special production orders (high value, custom, repairs) are processed according to standards and delivered on time.
Work with Lead to allocate work efficiently to benchworkers based on skills, priority, complexity and goals.
Ensure adherence to established production processes and quality standards.
Monitor WIP and ensure visibility to order status, risks, and constraints.
Quality & Technical Support
Collaborate closely with the QC team to monitor craftsmanship quality and respond to issues affecting lead times.
Troubleshoot complex benchwork, setting, finishing, and repair challenges—providing hands-on support when needed.
Identify systemic quality issues and implement holistic, long-term solutions in conjunction with other departments
Collaborate with training to identify opportunities for advancement and feedback
Continuous Improvement & Process Enhancement
Partner with leadership and cross‑functional teams to test, refine, and implement process changes that enhance speed, quality, and consistency.
Use KPIs to understand performance gaps and drive operational improvements.
Optimize output through better tooling, training, workflow design, and documentation.
Training & Standards
Ensure all team members understand and meet expectations for quality, speed, and production standards.
Work with the training function to identify skill gaps and support targeted training initiatives.
Reinforce standard work procedures and ensure consistency across the team.
Inventory, Materials, & Equipment Oversight
Monitor inventory of tools, consumables, and equipment within the workshop.
Manage ordering and tracking of raw materials such as solder, wire, findings, and components.
Ensure benchworkers have the resources they need to work efficiently.
Safety & Compliance
Promote a safe and healthy work environment by enforcing safety protocols and ensuring OSHA compliance.
Conduct regular safety checks and ensure proper maintenance of equipment.