Position SummaryAs an Operations Manager, you won't be doing the work - you'll be ensuring the work gets done, on time, on budget, and at the quality standards we demand. You're the orchestrator behind the scenes, the person who sees around corners and gets everyone moving in the same direction.
You'll own the operational rhythm of your department: managing timelines and dependencies, eliminating bottlenecks before they become crises, and keeping the team focused on execution excellence. You'll be equally comfortable building a three-year capacity plan and solving a Friday afternoon crisis that threatens Monday's delivery. Your success is measured by your team's ability to consistently meet commitments while maintaining morale and continuous improvement.
Why This Role ExistsIn a startup environment, operational excellence is the difference between controlled growth and chaos - between a team that feels empowered and a team that burns out, between winning and losing. We need an Operations Manager who can build that foundation, take ownership of outcomes, and make everyone else look good by getting the trains running on time.
Key ResponsibilitiesPlanning & Strategy- Develop and maintain detailed quarterly and annual operational plans, roadmaps, and capacity forecasts.
- Identify resource constraints, staffing gaps, and bottlenecks before they impact delivery.
- Manage cross-departmental dependencies and create clear escalation paths.
- Translate strategic objectives into executable milestones with clear ownership and timelines.
Execution Oversight- Own the delivery of projects and initiatives; track progress rigorously against commitments.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators that drive accountability.
- Drive rapid decision-making by eliminating ambiguity and getting stakeholders aligned.
- Ensure project post-mortems happen on schedule with actionable improvements implemented.
Capacity & Resource Management- Manage the budget for the department; track spend, forecast needs, and optimize resource allocation.
- Build staffing plans and hiring roadmaps; partner with recruiting on key hires.
- Create workload visibility across the team; balance competing priorities fairly and ruthlessly.
- Identify skill gaps and drive targeted hiring, training, or process improvements.
Team Leadership- Set clear expectations, deadlines, and success metrics for your team members.
- Conduct regular 1:1s and provide direct, honest feedback on performance and growth.
- Remove obstacles and advocate relentlessly for your team's needs.
- Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.
Communication & Reporting- Maintain transparent, data-driven reporting to leadership on operational health and risks.
- Communicate status, blockers, and opportunities to stakeholders with clarity and brevity.
- Escalate issues early when course correction is needed; never surprise executives in meetings.
- Create and maintain operational dashboards and tracking tools.
SOPs, Protocols & Compliance- Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures and protocols for all key operational processes.
- Ensure team members understand and comply with established procedures through clear communication and training.
- Train and coach team members on the proper execution of SOPs; provide feedback when protocols are not followed.
- Periodically review and update SOPs to reflect process improvements and changing business requirements.
- Create documentation that is clear, accessible, and usable for team members at all levels.
Required Qualifications- 7+ years of operational management, program management, or project management in high-velocity environments (startup, consulting, or fast-growth company preferred).
- Background in engineering or industrial engineering (degree or substantial equivalent hands-on experience), reflecting the systems-thinking, process design, and analytical rigor this role demands.
- Demonstrated excellence in planning and execution, with concrete examples of managing complex, multi-workstream initiatives to successful completion.
- Advanced proficiency in financial management and budgeting - able to build a budget from first principles, track actuals vs. forecast, and optimize spend.
- Mastery of capacity planning, including workload balancing, resource forecasting, and the ability to say "no" strategically.
- Exceptional organizational skills backed by systems thinking; consistent methods and tools used to manage complexity.
- Analytical mindset - makes decisions based on data, creates metrics that matter, and uses data to drive behavior change.
- Track record of high-quality work product; sets the standard for rigor and attention to detail on the team.
- Ability to multi-task and context-switch in a fast-moving environment without losing focus on strategic goals.
- Proactive problem-solver; identifies issues early, proposes solutions, and drives implementation without waiting to be asked.
- Experience managing through ambiguity and creating clarity for the team in uncertain conditions.
- Studious mindset - able to read, understand, and implement complex SOPs and protocols; can break them down and train teams on proper execution with patience and rigor.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience managing fast-paced complex operational environments. Experience does not need to be in technology or software - manufacturing and distribution operational leaders are encouraged to apply.
- Experience building and optimizing operational processes from scratch.
- Experience with project management tools (Asana, Jira, Monday, etc.) and business analytics platforms.
- MBA or similar advanced business credential.
- Prior experience building and scaling a team from the ground up.
What We Offer- Competitive salary
- Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
- Unlimited PTO
- The opportunity to build and optimize systems from the ground up
- A leadership role in a growing, fast-paced organization
- The chance to directly impact company culture and operational excellence
- Professional development and mentorship opportunities
- Collaborative team environment with high performers
Compensation DisclosureThe salary range for this role is commensurate with experience, skills, and location, as detailed below. Salary ranges are provided in accordance with applicable state and local pay transparency laws.
Salary Range
$115,000-$165,000 USD
