Operations Lead

A little bit about us…Acorn Sales has been helping customers make their mark since 1964. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Acorn Sales is a family-owned company specializing in custom stamps, seals, notary supplies, and professional marking products for businesses, organizations, and licensed professionals across the country. What started as a trusted stamp provider has evolved into a modern production shop built around an old-school craft, where precision, speed, and quality still matter deeply.After more than 60 years in business, the company remains committed to the values that built its reputation in the first place: dependable service, operational excellence, and doing the work the right way. As the company continues to grow, so does the need for hands-on operational leadership that can help support both the team and the pace of the business.A little bit about the role…Acorn Sales is looking for an Operations Lead who can become the operational backbone of the shop. This person will help oversee workflow, production coordination, scheduling, inventory organization, team leadership, and day-to-day execution across the business while helping create more structure, accountability, and operational consistency as the company continues to grow.This is a highly hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who enjoys balancing production work with leadership responsibilities. Acorn Sales needs someone who can keep a 360-degree view of the operation while also stepping directly into production, solving problems in real time, helping direct the team, and keeping work moving efficiently during busy periods. The right person will bring a strong sense of urgency, operational awareness, adaptability, and follow-through, along with the ability to anticipate issues before they become fires to put out.Success in this role requires someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, takes ownership naturally, and understands how to balance speed with accuracy in a business where both matter every day. Acorn Sales is looking for a motivated, resourceful, solutions-oriented leader who can keep people productive, organized, and moving forward while continuing to improve workflows and systems behind the scenes. On any given day, week, or month, this person will be:Keeping Production Operations & Workflow MovingHelping oversee daily shop operations and maintaining smooth workflow from order intake through production and shippingSupporting and coordinating production schedules to ensure deadlines, quality standards, and customer expectations are consistently metOverseeing core production functions including typesetting, shipping software, production preparation, and inventory processesBalancing speed and accuracy in a high-volume production environmentLeading, Training & Supporting the TeamServing as a day-to-day team lead for a production staff ranging from students and entry-level employees to long-tenured team membersProviding direction, accountability, coaching, and follow-through while helping maintain a positive and productive cultureAssisting with onboarding and training new team members on shop workflows, systems, production standards, and operational expectationsCoordinating schedules and coverage for a small teamDriving Workflow & Process ImprovementsIdentifying workflow bottlenecks, inventory gaps, operational inefficiencies, or staffing issues before they create downstream problemsSupporting inventory organization and helping improve inventory accuracy and visibility across production materials and suppliesMaintaining operational documentation, SOPs, and workflow processes as systems evolve and improveJumping In Where the Shop Needs SupportStepping into hands-on production work as needed to help keep operations moving during busy periods or staffing gapsAssisting with building upkeep, equipment troubleshooting, workspace organization, and light maintenance tasks around the shopWe are excited about you because you…Have experience leading people, coordinating operations, or helping teams stay organized and moving forward in fast-paced environments where priorities shift quicklyKnow how to move with urgency and keep momentum high without sacrificing quality, accuracy, or attention to detailAre highly organized and naturally bring structure, accountability, and calm to busy or chaotic environmentsAre comfortable stepping into leadership moments, addressing issues directly, and balancing empathy with high standards and accountabilityHave a “figure it out” mentality and enjoy solving operational problems, improving workflows, and staying ahead of issues before they escalateBring a positive attitude and steady energy, even during high-volume daysAre adaptable, dependable, and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently while also becoming a trusted operational partner to ownershipAre comfortable using technology, operational tools, automation, and AI to improve workflow efficiency while still relying on strong human judgment and instinctsHave experience in fast-moving, hands-on environments like restaurants, custom production operations, or high-output small businesses where adaptability and teamwork are part of the cultureWe are especially excited if you…Have experience working in graphics, printing, typesetting, production operations, or other custom manufacturing environmentsHave experience working in eCommerce, shipping, fulfillment, or logistics environments where operational efficiency directly impacts the customer experienceReasons it pays to work at Acorn (besides the pay itself)...401(k)Paid time off and paid holidaysHealth insurance benefits + health savings accountEmployee discount on Acorn Sales productsStable Monday-Friday schedule with flexibility and rare weekend coverage needsOpportunities for long-term growth and increased responsibility as the business evolvesA creative, hands-on work environment where you can tangibly see the impact of your work every dayThe opportunity to help shape operations and improve systems inside a growing businessDon’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every. single. qualification. At Acorn, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with 100% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to still apply. We care deeply about attitude, work ethic, accountability, and willingness to learn. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.Sandbox uses CereHive, an AI-supported hiring platform, to help streamline communication, organize candidate information, and create a smoother hiring experience for both candidates and hiring teams. While technology helps support our process, every application is reviewed and evaluated by real people. Our goal is to make hiring more thoughtful, transparent, and human at every stage.