Scenic & Decor Operations Manager

The Scenic & Décor Operations Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the Scenic & Décor department, overseeing warehouse activities, production workflows, inventory management, and event execution. This role ensures scenic, décor, and soft goods assets are maintained, prepared, and delivered efficiently while meeting the highest standards of quality, safety, and client satisfaction.

Working closely with Production, Project Management, Sales, and the Audio, Video, Lighting, Rigging, and Staging teams, this position drives operational excellence through process improvement, strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Warehouse Management

• Lead all day-to-day operations of the Scenic & Décor warehouse, including prep, fabrication, maintenance, inventory control, logistics, load-in/load-out, strike, and asset return.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Evaluate workflows, identify operational bottlenecks, and implement continuous process improvements.
• Coordinate production schedules and warehouse priorities to support multiple simultaneous events.
• Collaborate with other production departments to ensure seamless event execution.

Scenic, Décor & Inventory Management

• Oversee the complete lifecycle of scenic, décor, and soft goods assets, including procurement, fabrication, storage, maintenance, deployment, repair, and retirement.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and forecasting using inventory management systems.
• Monitor asset utilization and recommend purchases, repairs, or retirements to maximize return on investment.
• Manage relationships with vendors, fabricators, rental partners, and material suppliers.
• Coordinate transportation logistics and ensure assets are event-ready.

Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain quality standards for scenic fabrication, décor finishes, soft goods, and installations.
• Conduct inspections to verify assets meet company standards, design intent, and client expectations.
• Develop corrective action plans for damaged or non-conforming assets and identify opportunities for long-term quality improvements.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage departmental operating budgets for labor, materials, fabrication, rentals, and inventory.
• Monitor departmental expenses and identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining quality.
• Assist with project estimating, budgeting, and post-event financial reconciliation.
• Evaluate capital expenditures and asset investments to support long-term operational goals.

Leadership & Team Development

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop full-time staff, department leads, and freelance personnel.
• Schedule labor resources to support warehouse operations and event production requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and safety-focused work environment.
• Support employee performance management, coaching, and professional development.

Performance Management

• Establish and monitor departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including:
  • Inventory accuracy
  • Asset utilization
  • Prep accuracy
  • Damage rates
  • Labor efficiency
  • Turnaround times
  • On-time event readiness
• Use operational data to improve performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with OSHA regulations, fire codes, venue requirements, and company safety policies.
• Promote safe work practices throughout the warehouse, fabrication areas, and event sites.
• Participate in safety planning, job hazard analyses, incident investigations, and ongoing safety training.
• Ensure equipment inspections and facility standards are maintained.

Qualifications

Required

• Five (5) or more years of leadership experience in scenic production, warehouse operations, live events, entertainment production, logistics, or a related operations environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing inventory-intensive operations.
• Proven success leading teams, managing schedules, budgets, and operational priorities.
• Working knowledge of scenic fabrication, décor materials, soft goods, and live event production processes.
• Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with vendors, fabricators, rental partners, and freelance labor.
• Proficiency with inventory management software and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• Experience with ERP or warehouse management systems.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain certification).
• Experience in corporate events, touring productions, theater, or experiential marketing.

Core Competencies

• Operations Leadership
• Warehouse & Inventory Management
• Scenic Production & Fabrication
• Logistics & Asset Management
• Process Improvement & Lean Operations
• Budget & Financial Management
• Team Leadership & Workforce Development
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Quality Assurance
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance
• Strategic Planning
• Customer & Client Focus