Sales Lead & Studio Operations Manager — J.M. Szymanski Workshop and Gallery
J.M. Szymanski is a New York–based design studio producing one-of-a-kind furniture and architectural objects for the interior design trade. Located in Port Morris, Bronx, our Workshop and Gallery serves as the center of a small but rapidly growing high-end furniture company.
The Sales Lead & Studio Operations Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for driving revenue, overseeing client relationships, and ensuring smooth coordination between sales, clients, and production. You will work directly with Jake Szymanski, the founder and creative director, serving as his operational counterpart and supporting the studio’s growth.
This role requires a polished, confident presence in designer environments and the ability to lead meetings both in our gallery and at client offices. You must be able to communicate with clarity, represent the studio professionally, and maintain strong relationships with top designers, architects, and collectors. Travel to key market cities for client visits will occasionally be required.
Ideal candidates come from a high-end design studio, gallery, or fabrication environment. You must understand custom fabrication processes, material capabilities, and the expectations of luxury interior design clients. Strong communication skills, organizational discipline, and the ability to maintain efficient workflows across departments are essential.
This is a hands-on leadership role involving strategic sales planning, ongoing client management, oversight of the production pipeline, and quality control. You will help refine internal systems, support the studio’s operational structure, and act as a key decision-maker as the company scales.
Compensation includes a competitive base salary plus commission, with total annual earnings ranging from $100,000 to $160,000 depending on experience and performance. Full healthcare benefits and generous paid time off are included.
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Sales & Pipeline Management
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets across direct, trade, wholesale, and 3rd-party channels.
• Forecast performance, develop revenue strategies, and maintain accurate sales reporting.
• Manage the active client pipeline, CRM documentation, and all account communications.
• Identify new business opportunities and develop long-term client and partnership relationships.
Client Sales & Relationship Management
• Serve as the primary contact for designers, architects, collectors, and industry partners.
• Respond to inquiries, prepare quotes, and guide clients through the full sales process.
• Close deals while maintaining exceptional ongoing client service.
• Communicate clearly about fabrication processes, lead times, materials, and constraints.
Project Oversight & Production Coordination
• Act as the strategic liaison between clients and the fabrication team.
• Lead weekly production meetings, set job priorities, and track progress on all active projects.
• Ensure all work meets the studio’s standards for precision, detail, and craftsmanship.
• Coordinate with the shipping department to ensure timely pickups and sample deliveries.
Quality Control & Final Sign-Off
• Conduct final inspection of completed pieces, confirming accuracy and finish quality.
• Coordinate final approvals with clients and with Jake prior to photography or delivery.
Photo Department Coordination
• Work with the photography team to document completed and custom work for portfolios and archives.
Studio Calendar & Scheduling
• Maintain the studio-wide calendar, including meetings, milestones, production checkpoints, and internal reviews.
• Keep clients, fabricators, and leadership aligned on schedules and deadlines.
Professional Expectations
• Lead design meetings in the gallery or at client offices with confidence and clarity.
• Travel independently for select client meetings in key markets.
• Uphold a polished, professional presence that reflects the standa
J.M. Szymanski (Jake Michael Szymanski) is a maker & designer of one of a kind furniture and architecture. The studio introduces radical new shapes and explores new materials and textures. Each work demonstrates a fascination with unique geometries, raw materials, and unusual forms. J.M. Szymanski was introduced in 2014 and has attracted the attention of top architects, interior designers, and collectors.
Jake lives in New York City where he designs and fabricates his work. His design education began in his early childhood where he and his family spent seven years in Nepal. Later, in his early 20’s, he moved to Spain where he studied the designs of Gaudi, visited the Alhambra, and made frequent trips to Morocco. Jake returned to the USA to study interior design. He studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and at the School of Visual Art. He went on to design for William Sofield.
