Operations Director #1510

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly expanding direct-to-consumer automotive care company headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio. With strong revenue growth across their own e-commerce storefront, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and wholesale partnerships, the business has hit a critical growth stage where operational systems need to match commercial momentum.

They're looking for an Operations Director to take complete ownership of the company's operational backbone — from manufacturing and fulfillment to supply chain and team development. Reporting directly to the CEO, this person will allow the founder to shift focus toward brand building, partnerships, and strategic growth by fully running the day-to-day engine of the business.

This isn't a role for someone who wants to maintain the status quo. Our client needs a proven operator who has navigated the chaos of a scaling business and is energized by building structure where little exists.

Core Responsibilities

Production & In-House Manufacturing

• Direct all aspects of chemistry-based product manufacturing happening on-site
• Set and maintain rigorous standards for product quality and consistency across every batch
• Build and manage production calendars driven by channel-level demand signals
• Source raw materials and nurture productive relationships with key vendors
• Ensure the production footprint grows proportionally with revenue and order volume
• Explore and execute strategic shifts toward outsourced or contract manufacturing when the time is right
• Collaborate with the product development team to ensure a seamless handoff from formulation to full-scale output

Order Fulfillment & Distribution

• Architect and manage the company's fulfillment pipeline across Amazon FBA, TikTok Shop, and Shopify DTC
• Spearhead the migration from internal fulfillment operations to qualified third-party logistics partners
• Coordinate all inbound shipping — freight and parcel — to warehouse and distribution locations
• Hold logistics vendors accountable to clearly defined service-level expectations
• Manage the end-to-end returns process in close partnership with the customer experience team
• Oversee daily warehouse operations including headcount, throughput, and efficiency targets

Forecasting & Inventory Control

• Create and continuously improve demand forecasting models spanning all product lines and channels
• Own the full purchase order cycle from planning through replenishment execution
• Strike the right balance between product availability and lean inventory holdings
• Factor seasonal patterns and promotional calendars into inventory positioning decisions
• Collaborate with the finance function to align inventory investments with cash flow priorities

Global Sourcing & Import Operations

• Own day-to-day relationships with international suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Manage the full import cycle including customs documentation, regulatory compliance, and ocean freight
• Work to shorten supplier lead times and build resilience against supply chain interruptions
• Enforce consistent quality expectations across all offshore sourcing partners
• Drive favorable outcomes in negotiations around unit pricing, payment schedules, and total landed costs

People Management & Organizational Development

• Lead a team of seven direct reports covering warehouse and logistics, fulfillment, production, manufacturing and private label, supply chain, customer service, and HR
• Attract, develop, and retain strong talent across every operational discipline
• Set measurable performance standards and create a culture of ownership and follow-through
• Design compensation and incentive structures that reward operational excellence
• Uphold workplace safety protocols across all physical operations
• Champion a team culture that reflects the company's mission and values

Financial Stewardship of Operations

• Take ownership of operational spending across production, distribution, and logistics
• Drive margin expansion by finding efficiencies and eliminating waste in core processes
• Keep a close eye on cost of goods sold and understand what's moving the needle
• Continuously evaluate tools, systems, and workflows for opportunities to reduce overhead

Must-Have Qualifications

• Five to ten years of progressive experience leading operations at increasing levels of responsibility
• A proven track record of building and scaling operations inside a high-growth DTC or CPG company — ideally between $10M and $100M in revenue, not a large corporate or Fortune 500 setting
• Hands-on experience simultaneously overseeing warehousing, fulfillment, and supply chain functions
• Background running manufacturing or production operations
• Demonstrated multi-channel fulfillment expertise across platforms like Amazon FBA, TikTok Shop, Shopify, or similar
• Strong command of 3PL partnerships, demand planning, and inventory management
• A history of assembling, coaching, and holding operational teams to a high bar
• Confidence navigating multiple data systems, including API connections, data aggregation, and workflow automation tools such as Google Apps Script or equivalent
• Working knowledge of operational and e-commerce platforms like Monday.com, Shopify, or comparable tools
• Sharp analytical instincts paired with strong planning and forecasting capabilities
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related area of study
• Must hold current authorization to work in the United States — visa sponsorship is not offered for this position

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Prior experience guiding a business through an acquisition, 3PL migration, or rapid scaling inflection
• Industry exposure in automotive care, household products, personal care, or consumable goods
• Familiarity managing both domestic and international supply chains alongside contract manufacturing relationships
• Cross-channel fulfillment experience that spans direct-to-consumer, marketplace, and wholesale
• Comfort leveraging AI-driven tools and embedding them into operational processes
• Hands-on involvement rolling out inventory management platforms or ERP systems
• MBA or comparable advanced degree — though demonstrated results will carry just as much weight
• Conversational or professional Mandarin skills are a bonus but by no means required
• Experience steering a team through significant cultural evolution or rapid organizational growth
• A track record of writing operational playbooks and building foundational processes where none previously existed

What's on Offer

• Annual Base Compensation: $115,000–$140,000 based on experience level
• Incentive Bonus: Up to 15% of base salary, linked to pre-agreed performance targets
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) with a 4% company match
• Time Off: Two weeks of paid time off annually
• Parental Leave: Four weeks of paid leave for new parents
• Health Coverage: Company health benefit program included

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