Torchora
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Head of Operations

💰 $150,000 - $250,000+

OperationsLeadershipManagementStrategy

🎯 Role Definition

As the Head of Operations, you will be the strategic architect and hands-on leader responsible for the entire operational landscape of the company. You will oversee all core operational functions, including supply chain, logistics, customer experience, production, and quality assurance. Your primary objective is to build a scalable, efficient, and resilient operational framework that supports our long-term strategic goals. You will work in close collaboration with the CEO, CFO, and other C-suite executives to drive profitability, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure an exceptional experience for our customers and partners. This is a high-impact role for a leader who thrives on complexity, data-driven decision-making, and building the foundations for sustainable success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Director of Operations
  • Senior Operations Manager
  • General Manager with a strong operational focus

Advancement To:

  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • VP of Global Operations
  • General Manager / President of a Business Unit

Lateral Moves:

  • Head of Strategy & Planning
  • Chief of Staff

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive operational strategy that aligns with the company's overall strategic objectives, focusing on scalability, efficiency, and profitability.
  • Provide executive leadership and mentorship to the entire operations department, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Design, implement, and continuously refine business processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all departments to enhance efficiency and ensure consistency.
  • Oversee the end-to-end supply chain, including procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and logistics, to optimize for cost, speed, and reliability.
  • Lead the financial management of operations, including developing and managing budgets, P&L responsibility, forecasting, and implementing cost-control measures to maximize margins.
  • Champion a data-driven culture by establishing, monitoring, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
  • Direct all customer support and service-level agreement (SLA) initiatives, ensuring the delivery of a world-class customer experience that drives loyalty and retention.
  • Collaborate with the executive leadership team to translate company strategy into actionable, operational plans and resource allocation models.
  • Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of operational technologies and systems (e.g., ERP, WMS, CRM) to automate processes and improve data visibility.
  • Manage and negotiate relationships with key external partners, vendors, and suppliers to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with our business goals.
  • Ensure all company operations and procedures comply with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as industry-specific quality and safety standards.
  • Develop and implement robust risk management and business continuity plans to mitigate operational disruptions and protect company assets.
  • Lead large-scale, cross-functional projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
  • Oversee facilities management, including workplace safety, physical security, and planning for future real estate needs to support company growth.
  • Drive initiatives for operational excellence and process optimization using methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Kaizen.
  • Partner with HR to build and scale the operations team, focusing on talent acquisition, professional development, and succession planning for key roles.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the operations department and other business units like Sales, Marketing, and Product to ensure seamless integration and communication.
  • Analyze and forecast demand to ensure operational capacity and inventory levels are aligned with market trends and sales projections.
  • Oversee quality assurance and quality control programs to maintain the highest standards for products and services delivered to customers.
  • Spearhead sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives within the operational framework, aiming to reduce environmental impact and improve social outcomes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover new operational insights.
  • Contribute to the organization's long-term data strategy and roadmap, particularly for operational metrics.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their needs into clear operational and engineering requirements.
  • Participate in executive-level strategic planning sessions, board meetings, and investor updates.
  • Mentor and coach emerging leaders within and outside of the operations department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP & Business Systems: Deep expertise with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and other business systems (CRM, WMS).
  • Data Analysis & BI: Proficiency in using data analysis and business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, SQL) to interpret data and generate actionable insights.
  • Financial Acumen: Strong skills in financial modeling, budgeting, P&L management, and cost-benefit analysis.
  • Process Improvement Methodologies: Certification or significant experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement frameworks.
  • Supply Chain Management: Comprehensive knowledge of modern supply chain principles, including logistics, inventory optimization, and procurement.
  • Project Management: Mastery of project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira, Smartsheet) and formal methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile).
  • Vendor & Contract Management: Proven ability to negotiate contracts, manage vendor performance, and build strategic partnerships.
  • Process Mapping: Skill in using tools like Visio or Lucidchart to document, analyze, and design complex business processes.
  • Regulatory Compliance: In-depth understanding of relevant legal, regulatory, and quality compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO, OSHA).
  • Forecasting & Demand Planning: Experience with statistical analysis and software for forecasting operational demand and capacity needs.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and develop long-term plans that drive competitive advantage.
  • Inspirational Leadership: Proven track record of building, mentoring, and motivating high-performing, engaged teams.
  • Exceptional Communication: Articulate and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences, from the C-suite to the front line.
  • Change Management: Expertise in leading organizations through significant change, overcoming resistance, and fostering adoption of new processes and technologies.
  • Problem-Solving: Superior analytical and critical thinking skills to identify root causes of complex problems and devise effective, scalable solutions.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong bias for using data and metrics to make objective decisions and measure success.
  • Negotiation & Influence: The ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and negotiate favorable terms with external partners.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; able to navigate ambiguity and pivot strategy as needed.
  • Business Acumen: A deep understanding of how a business operates and makes money, and how operational decisions impact overall financial health.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: A natural collaborator who builds strong relationships across departments to achieve shared goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 10-15+ years of progressive experience in operations management, with at least 5-7 years in a senior leadership role (Director-level or above).

Preferred:

  • Demonstrable experience scaling operations in a high-growth company.
  • Proven track record of driving significant cost savings and efficiency improvements.
  • Experience in the specific industry of the hiring company (e.g., SaaS, CPG, manufacturing, e-commerce).
  • Experience managing multi-site or international operations.
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