Auction Production Manager

Stacks Bowers Galleries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance - Medical, vision,, &

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance

Paid vacation and holidays

401K Plan W/Company Match

Job summary

Stacks Bowers Galleries is seeking an Auction Production Manager in Costa Mesa, CA to lead the execution of live and internet auctions from preparation through close. You will supervise clerks, manage workflows, and ensure deadlines and quality standards are met with a strong focus on cross-functional collaboration.

The role requires strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, plus proficiency with Microsoft Office and auction management systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in operations, production, auction services, logistics, or a similarly complex deadline-driven environment.
• Auction industry experience preferred but not required for candidates with strong transferable leadership and operational experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accurate, efficient, and timely execution of auction production activities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of proprietary software and systems to support production, cataloging, imaging, IT, and graphics teams.
• Lead, supervise, and develop auction clerks and lot labelers, setting clear expectations and coaching as needed.
• Manage workflow of the auction clerking team and prioritize to meet deadlines and objectives.
• Own escalated operational issues and provide timely resolutions to stakeholders.
• Manage inventory control processes and ensure proper handling of auction items.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Microsoft Office

Auction software

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Auction management software

Job description

About the Organization

Stack's Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels.

Stack's Bowers Galleries is dedicated to fulfilling the total buying and selling needs of the numismatic community. Our nine-decade legacy of achieving dynamic results and record-breaking prices guides our unwavering commitment to serve novice and expert collectors and enthusiasts, as well as industry professionals. Through our unparalleled list of services, incomparable customer support, and industry leading technology, Stack's Bowers Galleries provides every client the opportunity to achieve their numismatic goals through live and Internet auctions, retail and wholesale buying and selling, financial backing, and numismatic expertise.

Category Auction Production

Job Summary

The Auction Production Manager is a key operational leader responsible for the accurate, efficient, and timely execution of auction production from preparation through close. This role leads and develops a team, manages complex workflows and competing priorities, and works cross-functionally to ensure auction deadlines and quality standards are consistently met. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong critical thinking, sound judgment, clear and professional communication, and the ability to anticipate issues, make informed decisions, and drive solutions with a high degree of ownership and accountability.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead the accurate, efficient, and timely execution of auction production activities, including purchase orders, lot labeling, catalog layout, auction bidding, and all steps involved in conducting live and internet auction processes.
• Develop and maintain advanced knowledge of proprietary software and systems to support the production, cataloging, imaging, IT, and graphics teams in auction implementation and completion; quickly learn new systems, processes, and technology as business needs evolve.
• Lead, supervise, and develop auction clerks and lot labelers, setting clear expectations, providing coaching and training, addressing performance issues, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage the workflow of the auction clerking team, independently evaluating priorities, allocating resources, anticipating potential bottlenecks, and adjusting plans as needed to ensure deadlines and business objectives are met.
• Own escalated operational issues and complaints, gathering relevant information, evaluating options and risks, exercising sound judgment, and communicating clear, timely resolutions to appropriate stakeholders.
• Manage inventory control processes, including receiving, purchase orders, and organizing auction items, ensuring accuracy and proper handling throughout the auction cycle.
• Consistently enforce company policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety regulations among production staff, holding team members accountable and addressing issues promptly and professionally.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with cataloging, imaging, auctioneers, graphics, shipping, administration, IT, and other teams; communicate priorities, dependencies, risks, and decisions clearly to keep auction production aligned and on schedule.
• Use data, observation, and critical analysis to identify process gaps, recurring issues, and opportunities for operational improvement; recommend and implement practical solutions that improve accuracy, efficiency, communication, and overall performance.
• Oversee auction uploading, launch, live execution, and closing to ensure live and internet-only auctions begin on time and run smoothly from start to finish. Develop staffing schedules, confirm coverage, and communicate plans and changes proactively with appropriate departments.

Required Skills/Proficiencies

• Strong leadership presence with a demonstrated ability to lead, develop, motivate, and hold teams accountable while achieving measurable results.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to assess competing priorities, delegate effectively, and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex or time-sensitive information clearly, directly, and professionally to employees, peers, senior leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and demonstrated aptitude for learning proprietary systems, auction management software, and new technology quickly.
• Strong critical-thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the intellectual curiosity and judgment to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, recognize downstream impacts, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to operate with initiative and appropriate independence, make sound decisions with incomplete or evolving information, and adapt quickly to changing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, paired with the ability to understand broader operational objectives and make decisions that support the business as a whole.
• Demonstrated maturity, professionalism, and executive-level judgment, with the confidence to raise concerns, challenge assumptions constructively, and recommend a clear path forward.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred; an equivalent combination of college education and substantial relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, production, auction services, logistics, or a similarly complex deadline-driven environment, including at least 2 years of direct supervisory or people-management experience. Auction industry experience is preferred but not required for a candidate with strong transferable leadership and operational experience.

Salary

Salary:$65,000 - $82,000 Annually

Benefits

• Health Insurance - Including: Medical, vision, dental, life insurance, AD& D, Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• 401K Plan W/Company Match

Ability to commute/relocate

Costa Mesa, CA 92626: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location

In office

Equal Opportunity Employer

Candidates must be authorized to work in U.S. Thorough background check. This is a full-time position. No recruiters.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Location Corporate Office

Req Number AUC-26-00001

Tags

Position Requirements

EOE Statement

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

This position is currently accepting applications.

Follow us