Director of Operations

Operationscouncil; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Crisp Event Rentals, based in Columbia, SC, seeks a Director of Operations to serve as the President’s right hand and the operational engine for growth. The role bridges strategy and execution, ensuring every event leaves on time, on budget, and beyond client expectations.

You’ll oversee Warehouse, Logistics & Delivery, Soft Goods, Customs, and Maintenance, lowering costs via smarter systems while improving quality. If you enjoy building the machine, this is the role for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in operations leadership or 7–10 years hands-on experience in events/logistics/supply chain.
• Proven record of improving efficiency, quality, and team performance.
• Experience with data: utilization reports, labor forecasts, P&L.
• Working knowledge of OSHA safety standards and DOT requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead managers and crews across Warehouse, Logistics & Delivery, Soft Goods, Customs, and Maintenance.
• Own end-to-end event execution from pull to delivery and return.
• Partner with Sales to align operations and revenue.
• Direct daily logistics, routing, fleet management, and crew deployment.
• Oversee end-to-end inventory control and quality checks.
• Drive cost control and budget stewardship across operations.
• Implement data-driven equipment and capital purchasing decisions.

Skills

Operations leadership

Team building

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Point of Rental

ERP software

Fleet management software

Job description

Job Title: Director of Operations

Location: Columbia, SC (Headquarters) — with support of regional locations

Reports To: President

Term: Full-time, Exempt (Permanent)

Compensation: Base $85,000–$115,000, commensurate with experience, plus performance bonus

Schedule: Core business hours; nights, weekends, and off-hours as events require

About Crisp

Founded in 2017 in Columbia, SC, Crisp Event Rentals was built on a simple belief: take care of our people as well as we take care of our products. We partner with planners, venues, and hosts to bring weddings, corporate galas, and once-in-a-lifetime celebrations — handling every delivery, setup, and detail with the professionalism and hospitality our clients count on. Around here, “good enough” has never been good enough. We don’t just provide equipment; we deliver peace of mind. We’re a close-knit team of driven professionals who win on teamwork, honesty, and personal accountability — and we’re growing.

About the Role

Crisp is looking for a Director of Operations to be the right hand to our President and the operational engine behind our next chapter of growth. As we deepen our roots in Columbia and expand into new markets, you’ll take the reins of the day-to‑day — bridging the gap between strategy and execution and making sure every event goes out the door on time, on budget, and better than the client expected.

This is a high‑impact leadership role spanning our Warehouse, Logistics & Delivery, Soft Goods, Customs, and Maintenance teams. You’ll lower operating costs through smarter systems while raising the quality of what we put in front of our clients. If you like building the machine — not just running it — this is the role for you.

What You’ll Own

• Operational Leadership: Lead the managers and crews across Warehouse, Delivery, Soft Goods, and Maintenance, breaking down silos so the whole operation moves as one team.
• Own end‑to‑end event execution — from pull and prep to delivery, setup, and return — so nothing slips between departments.
• Partner daily with Sales to keep operations and revenue pulling in the same direction.
• Logistics & Inventory: Direct daily logistics — routing, fleet management, and crew deployment.
• Oversee inventory control end‑to‑end: transfers, sub‑rentals, cycle counts, quality checks, and organization — protecting against loss, damage, and shrinkage while keeping supply levels cost‑effective.
• Put quality‑control inspections in place so damaged goods never reach a client.
• Financial Stewardship: Help manage the operational budget with a focus on controlling variable costs — labor, fleet, and overtime.
• Use Point of Rental data to track utilization, asset ROI, and equipment lifecycle — knowing when to repair, retire, or reinvest.
• Partner with leadership on data‑driven equipment and capital purchasing decisions.
• Systems & Process: Make Point of Rental the single source of truth — automating manual workflows and tightening the data the whole company runs on.
• Identify inefficiencies, mitigate risk, and build repeatable, proven processes that scale cleanly into new locations.
• Safety & Compliance: Champion a safety‑first culture in the warehouse and on the road; keep equipment and facilities meeting OSHA, PPE, and applicable DOT standards.
• Oversee fleet compliance and recordkeeping and address any incident quickly with preventive follow‑through.
• People Development: Recruit, train, mentor, and hold accountable a high‑performing team — helping department leads grow from doers into leaders.
• Build smart staffing models (core plus flex) to handle peak‑season volume without blowing the labor budget, forecasting labor needs weeks out based on booking velocity.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of operations management and leadership experience (or 7–10 years of comparable hands‑on experience). Time in event rental, logistics, hospitality, or supply chain is strongly preferred.
• A track record of improving efficiency, quality, and team performance — with the energy to build, not just maintain.
• Comfort with data: able to read utilization reports, labor forecasts, and a P&L. Experience with Point of Rental or a similar rental/ERP platform is a strong plus.
• Working knowledge of OSHA safety standards and DOT requirements for commercial fleets — or the ability to get up to speed quickly.
• A servant‑leader who sets a high bar — able to make tough calls independently while building a culture of teamwork and accountability.
• Valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets company standards.
• Open availability to meet the needs of the business, including nights and weekends during peak event season.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, or a related field preferred.