Eyeglass World hiring Director of Lab Operations in Orlando, FL | LinkedIn (2024)

Company DescriptionAt National Vision we believe everyone deserves to see their best to live their best. We help people by making quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible. National Vision is one of the largest optical retail companies in the United States with over 1,100 stores. We operate four retail brands: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, and Vista Optical inside select Fred Meyer stores and on select military bases. We offer an innovative culture where training is a priority, hard work is praised, and career growth is a reality.

We are currently searching for a Director of Lab Operations for our Eyeglass World brand!Job DescriptionThis role is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the optical labs within our store locations, ensuring the timely production of eyewear orders while maintaining the highest quality standards. This role involves leading Area Lab Managers, lab personnel, equipment, inventory, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards within each location. This position also collaborates with National Vision's senior leadership to establish policies, procedures, and best practices for the successful operation of the in-store labs and will report to the Division Vice President.

What Would You Do? The Specifics.

• Guides all aspects of the optical labs with the retail locations, including lens edging, frame adjustments, and prescription verification.
• Ensures that practices are in place for the timely and accurate production of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Provides guidance and input processes to ensure that the retail labs maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.
• Provides guidance and sets clear expectation on hiring, training, and supervision of Lab Managers, lab technicians and support staff.
• Provides ongoing coaching and performance feedback to the Area Lab Managers to ensure high-quality work within each retail location.
• Implements and enforces quality control processes with the Area Lab Managers to guarantee the accuracy and quality of eyewear products.
• Provides guidance to the Area Lab Managers and sets expectations for periodic inspections and audits of finished products to identify and resolve issues.
• Provides clear direction of expectations to the Area Lab Managers regarding lab inventories, including lenses, frames, and other supplies.
• Establishes best practices around monitoring stock levels, placing orders, and coordinating deliveries to ensure product availability within each retail lab location.
• Sets expectations with each Area Lab Manager to ensure that they oversee the maintenance and repair of all retail lab equipment, including edgers, lensometers, and finishing tools.
• Ensures that best practices are established to unsure routine equipment maintenance and calibrations within each District and retail lab location.
• Ensures that practices are in place within each district where the lab associates collaborate with the retail team to provide excellent customer service, including addressing customer inquiries and resolving issues related to eyewear orders.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and safety standards within each district and retail lab location.
• Ensures that expectations are communicated to each Area Lab Manager to properly train lab staff on safety protocols and best practices.
• Generates reports within each district and within each retail lab location showing lab performance, productivity, and inventory levels for management review.
• Trains and develops Area Lab Managers to identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings.
• Manages and maintains the cost center and equipment budget while also providing input and recommendations on the yearly operational budget.
• Creates and controls the budgets, monitors and manages revenue, cost, and profit margins.
• Stays up to date current with industry changes that impact the service team and/or customers, and communicates applicable information effectively. Attends Vendor shows in order to identify any potential technology improvements that could benefit NVI.

Qualifications

Work Experience

• 9+ years progressive lab experience (Required)
• 4-6 years optical lab equipment and lab management (Required)

Education

• Four year college degree or equivalent experience in related field. (Required)

Additional Skills

• Presentation - PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Word (Required)
• Lab Management software and engineering design software experience (Required)

Travel Requirements

• 75% Travel required.

Additional Information

Taking Care of our People!We understand the importance of financial health and security, and because of that, we provide competitive compensation to all Associates. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance, 401k retirement savings with company match, flex spending account, paid personal time off, paid company holidays, parental leave, employee eyewear discount and much, much more. At National Vision, we strive to deliver opportunities for professional growth and long-term career fulfillment. We provide training programs, access to educational courses and pride ourselves on the ever-increasing amount of promotions from within.

We value and respect the unique and individual differences that everyone brings. We embrace all differences in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a place where people want to come, stay, and do their best work.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.