Job Description

Job Description

ROLE SUMMARY  

This position offers an exciting opportunity to join a growing, 3rd-generation family-owned manufacturer of kilns for potters. Your contributions will help shape a product beloved by artists, educators, and makers—an appreciation for craft and creativity is a strong cultural fit here. The role involves overseeing and improving all aspects of site operations, with a particular focus on supply chain procurement and customer success. You’ll have meaningful authority in day-to-day decision-making, while working closely with the President on strategic initiatives. This is a high-impact, mid-career role with technical training provided.

ABOUT L&L  

L&L Kiln Mfg supplies the world with electric kilns used by potters, schools, and industry alike. Founded in 1946 and hand-assembled right here in New Jersey, we are known for building the most reliable and innovative products in the industry, having always been driven by a strong commitment to longevity and repairability. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Procurement  

• Manage purchasing tasks and support the purchasing team 
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors to improve resilience, negotiate pricing, handle disputes or late shipments 
• Continually adjust order/stock quantities based on production data and sales forecasts — avoid over- or under-stocking 

Customer Success  

• Oversee tech-support team – identify patterns of engineering or quality issues to address 
• Step in when difficult support tickets demand a nuanced approach 
• Improve brand sentiment with customers and distributors through superb support 
• Collaborate with our videographer on training and repair videos for customers 
• Educate distributors on L&L products (installation, operation, troubleshooting, repairs) — virtual, on-site, or at L&L (some travel required) 
• Take occasional inbound customer calls to aid with tech support or technical sales 

Operations  

• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth operation of the business and facilities 
• Approach challenges with an entrepreneurial mindset that advances overall company success and competitiveness 
• Perform root-cause analysis of systemic failures and deeper quality concerns 
• Improve and develop systems for increasing operational excellence 
• Interface with outside HR firm to determine and apply HR policies 
• Lead the hiring for the shop personnel  
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement 

QUALIFICATIONS  

• 3-5+ years of experience in technical or operations management at a manufacturing company; customer-facing is a plus  
• Comfortable speaking with both technicians and non-technical end users; clear, concise communicator 
• Basic mechanical/electrical aptitude and capacity to learn technical concepts quickly 
• Software: Office/Google tools; ERP experience (Odoo or similar) is a plus but not required 
• Experience using AI for technical projects is a plus 
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for distributor training (approx. 5–15%) 

ROLE OBJECTIVES & METRICS  

• Supply chain resilience 
• Reduced cost of materials  
• Distributor and customer satisfaction through training and support  
• Support-ticket outcomes and performance 
• Smooth operation and profitability of the company 

SCHEDULE  

This is a full-time, on-site position, primarily working core business hours, with some schedule autonomy. The factory operates from 7:30am - 4pm, M-F. After-hours emergencies are rare, and we highly value a work-life balance.

BENEFITS

Seven paid holidays plus PTO, three sponsored medical plans with vision insurance, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Company-paid Life-Insurance, and a Retirement plan with match up to 3%.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status. You must be authorized to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer

L&L is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

This position will remain open until it is filled.

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