What are the responsibilities and job description for the Facility Director position at Gibson, Inc.?
Gibson Inc., the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sound of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for over 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals.
Job Summary
The Facility Director – Custom Shop, has wide-ranging overall responsibilities for the iconic Gibson Custom Shop based in Nashville, TN. This facility is a unique combination of art, craft of the highest degree, historical legacy, and a developing best-practices balance of superb craftsmanship and efficient productive processes. The successful candidate will have a deep appreciation and knowledge of custom-built guitars, extensive familiarity with fine wood and its transformational characteristics, deals in facts and metrics as decision points, and can work successfully to budget/forecast as a Cost Center. A willingness to consistently dive deep into the details while keeping an eye on the bigger picture will be critical, as well as experience and a passion for Continuous Improvement in a craft environment. As a relatively small facility with a diverse and artistically passionate Team, this position requires an energetic and involved approach on all topics around a structured Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Human Resources framework.
Essential Functions
- Works with the Leadership/Management team to set strategic goals and priorities.
- Transforms high level directional needs into a workable business plan and promotes execution of that plan with the appropriate metrics and timelines for business success (all within a team-oriented environment).
- Monitors and influences daily production activities and metrics together with the Production Manager.
- Leads by example with a consistent early start and daily follow through to relevant metrics.
- Manages Quality, Materials, Engineering, and Production professionals and activities on a daily basis.
- Interfaces and works well with Finance, HR, Product Development, Corporate Quality, and Sales professionals who support the facility from the premises.
- Walks and is involved on the production floor daily and helps maintain an inclusive, servant-leadership based culture.
- Reports up through the organization monthly on KPI’s in a structured SQDCHr format with precise summarized input on variances from plan.
- Working with cross functional partners, develops and promotes an appropriate timeline and skills/technology development for on-time delivery of new products.
- Leads the facility in on time delivery actions and metrics for open orders.
- Works closely with the site Controller to prepare, present, and execute the Cost Center operational budget.
- Prepares, drives approval, and executes on Capital spending.
- Maintains and further drives a “Safety as the First Priority” environment in the facility.
- Promotes and further drives a product quality focus that anticipates customer’s expectations for a craft based premier-level product.
- Works with the corporate Security function to promote and maintain a safe, collaborative work environment.
Other duties
- Employee can be asked to perform other duties that are reasonable within the area of expertise
Required Skills/Abilities
- Excellent presentation and strong communications skills both written and verbal.
- Demonstrated ability to be creative, flexible, and adaptable to new situations and assignments
- Able to create and drive best-practice processes for the enhancement of the operation.
- Must be independent, self-motivated and possess a positive attitude, operating well in a team environment that is focused on collaboration and accountability
- Strong interpersonal, mentoring, coaching and conflict resolution skills
- Proven ability to work with all levels of management and foster relationships with operational personnel
- Proven experience supporting growth through transparency, consistency, and disciplined execution
- Strong organizational skills
- Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and organize workload to meet organizational timelines in a fast paced, very high-growth environment
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work with Senior Executives of the Company
- Leadership skills necessary to coach and mentor others; effective supervisory skills with an ability to develop a team, review employee performance, address escalated issues, generate assignments, and set priorities
- Provide insightful ways/approaches to motivate others and identify strengths and developmental opportunities with talent
- Good analytical and critical thinking skills, with ability to make effective decisions.
- Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
- Technical and comprehensive knowledge of operating procedures of all office equipment and facilities
- High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation, with a track record of delivering to plan
- Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances; able to proactively question and challenge to prioritize and identify solutions in timely manner
- Clear thinker with outstanding numeric ability supported by a rounded commercial awareness
- Able to see the big picture but possesses a pragmatic /flexible approach to delivery
- Hands-on high-end craft experience
- Curious in nature and always looking to question, learn, and look for better ways to do things
- Relish working in a company with a diverse and fast paced environment
- Personable, fun, team oriented
Knowledge
- Thorough understanding and strong working knowledge of high-end musical instrument making and production, with an emphasis on the guitar industry.
- Knowledge of business practices and procedures related to craft-based facility management
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
- Lutherie school graduate a plus
- Minimum of 8 year’s progressive leadership experience in production management
- Experience successfully managing highly skilled artisans
Work Environment
- A wood shop environment dedicated to all processes related to wood transformation and finishing. 50% of time.
- Dedicated offices, cubicles, and meeting rooms. 50% of time.
Travel Requirements
- Occasional travel to and between the company’s manufacturing and HQ locations.
Physical Demands
- Basic physical stances and actions (sitting, standing, walking); occasional 10 lb lifts.
