Production Operations Manager Jobs in Connecticut

About JW Design

JW Design is a creative event design and production company specializing in high-end events and transforming spaces through custom fabrication, décor, furniture, florals, and experiential installations.

We are seeking an experienced Event Production & Operational Manager to lead our hands-on production operations. This is a highly active, physical position that works directly alongside our production team in the warehouse and on event sites.

This is not a desk-based project management position. The right candidate will be actively involved in production every day—overseeing the warehouse team, reviewing and assisting with custom builds, preparing events for installation, checking packing lists, loading trucks, managing crews, and ensuring that every element required for an event arrives on-site and is installed correctly.

Position Overview

The Event Production & Operational Manager is responsible for taking an event from the approved design into physical production and ensuring it is successfully executed on-site.

This individual will work closely with the design team to understand each event’s renderings, floorplans, custom fabrication requirements, rentals, furniture, décor, and installation plan. From there, they will oversee the production team and ensure everything is built, prepared, packed, loaded, transported, installed, and returned correctly.

A strong background in carpentry, fabrication, construction methods, tools, and materials is required. This person must be able to review a rendering or design concept, understand how it can realistically be constructed, and provide recommendations for the safest, most efficient, and cost-effective way to build it.

The ideal candidate is a strong leader who is constantly aware of what is happening on the production floor. They should be proactive rather than waiting to be given instructions and must be comfortable holding the team accountable for deadlines, workmanship, organization, and event readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Work hands-on alongside the production team in the warehouse preparing, building, repairing, painting, assembling, packing, and loading event elements.
• Directly supervise the production and warehouse staff throughout the workday.
• Manage the daily and weekly production schedule, ensuring the team understands priorities and deadlines for every upcoming event.
• Review event renderings and custom fabrication requirements with the design team and determine how elements should be constructed.
• Use knowledge of carpentry, fabrication, materials, hardware, tools, and construction techniques to provide practical recommendations for custom builds.
• Oversee custom fabrication from initial build through finishing and final quality control.
• Read and interpret floorplans, renderings, measurements, layouts, packing lists, and production documents.
• Review every event packing list and oversee the pulling and packing process to ensure all furniture, décor, fabrication, tools, hardware, supplies, and installation materials are accounted for.
• Take ownership of ensuring nothing required for an event is left behind at the warehouse.
• Oversee truck loading and ensure trucks are packed logically, safely, and efficiently based on the installation and breakdown schedule.
• Coordinate production staff, drivers, transportation, warehouse preparation, installations, and breakdowns.
• Lead production crews on-site and assign responsibilities to ensure installations are completed correctly and on schedule.
• Remain actively involved during installations and breakdowns rather than only supervising from the sidelines.
• Troubleshoot construction, fabrication, installation, and logistical challenges in real time.
• Ensure finished installations accurately reflect JW Design’s renderings and quality standards.
• Maintain organization of the warehouse, tools, equipment, inventory, and production materials.
• Oversee the return and proper storage of event inventory following breakdowns.
• Identify damaged or missing inventory and ensure repairs and replacements are addressed.
• Maintain safe working practices in the warehouse, during truck loading, and on event sites.
• Communicate proactively with the design and operations teams regarding production status, concerns, delays, or changes.
• Manage multiple events simultaneously while keeping the production team organized and on schedule.
• Hold team members accountable for workmanship, productivity, organization, attendance, and completion of assigned responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in event production, scenic fabrication, construction, carpentry, event installation, or a related hands-on production environment.
• Previous experience managing and leading a production or warehouse team.
• Strong hands-on carpentry and fabrication knowledge is required.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, building materials, hardware, power tools, and installation techniques.
• Ability to look at a rendering or concept and determine a practical method for building and installing it.
• Comfortable physically working alongside the production team when necessary.
• Strong understanding of event logistics, packing, loading, installations, and breakdowns.
• Ability to read and understand floorplans, renderings, measurements, and event layouts.
• Excellent organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage production schedules and prioritize multiple events simultaneously.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate responsibilities and hold a team accountable.
• Ability to problem-solve quickly in high-pressure production and event environments.
• Fluent in Spanish and English, both spoken and written.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, early mornings, and extended event hours as required.
• Ability to lift, carry, move, assemble, and install event production materials and equipment.
• Dependable, proactive, organized, and willing to take ownership of the production process from start to finish.

Preferred Experience

• Luxury events, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate events, or experiential productions.
• Scenic fabrication or custom event fabrication.
• Warehouse and inventory management.
• Painting, finishing, vinyl application, basic electrical/LED installation, or similar production skills.
• Forklift and other warehouse equipment operation.
• Experience managing event trucks, loading plans, and installation crews.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

A successful Event Production & Operational Manager knows exactly where every upcoming event stands in production. They know what still needs to be built, what needs to be repaired, what needs to be packed, which team member is responsible for each task, and whether the event is on schedule.

Before a truck leaves the warehouse, this individual takes ownership of confirming that the packing list has been checked and that the production team has everything required to execute the event successfully.

They are equally comfortable holding a drill, reviewing a custom build, directing a crew, checking a packing list, loading a truck, and leading an installation on-site.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on high-end, creative event productions.
• Collaborative and fast-paced work environment.
• Opportunity to play a significant leadership role within JW Design’s production department.
• Growth opportunities within the company.
• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Paid time off.

This position is ideal for an experienced production professional who enjoys building, problem-solving, leading a team, and being physically involved in bringing creative event designs to life.