Role Overview:

We are looking for a highly entrepreneurial operations leader to work directly with the founders in building and scaling the company's end-to-end operations.

This is not a traditional operations management role.

The individual will be responsible for designing scalable operational processes, developing a contract manufacturing ecosystem, strengthening procurement and supply chain capabilities, optimizing logistics, and building high-performing operational teams.

The role combines strategy and execution and requires someone who enjoys solving complex business problems from first principles.

Key Responsibilities:

1. End-to-End Operations:

- Own operations from procurement through customer delivery.

- Oversee sourcing, manufacturing planning, demand planning, supply planning and logistics.

- Ensure timely delivery with optimum quality and cost.

- Identify operational bottlenecks and build scalable systems.

2. Vendor Development & Contract Manufacturing (Primary Focus):

- Build and expand the company's contract manufacturing network.

- Identify, evaluate and onboard manufacturing partners across categories.

- Conduct detailed capability assessments covering manufacturing capacity, infrastructure, financial capability, quality systems, certifications, customer portfolio, and process maturity.

- Negotiate commercials and long-term strategic partnerships.

- Develop vendors into long-term manufacturing partners.

3. Process Design & Team Building:

- Assess the current operations structure and identify capability gaps.

- Design scalable organization structures and build new functions where required.

- Train, mentor and develop operational teams.

4. Supply Chain Planning:

- Improve demand, production, and inventory planning.

- Coordinate closely with Sales, Procurement, Manufacturing and Quality teams.

5. Vendor Governance:

- Establish milestone-based execution with manufacturing partners.

- Monitor production timelines, raw material availability and dispatch schedules.

- Create governance mechanisms for quality, cost and delivery performance.

Key Deliverables:

- Build a scalable operations organization.

- Develop a high-quality contract manufacturing ecosystem.

- Improve procurement and supply chain efficiency.

- Reduce operational costs over time.

- Strengthen delivery reliability.

Ideal Candidate:

- A builder rather than a manager comfortable working in ambiguity.

- Highly analytical, data-driven, hands-on and execution focused.

- Entrepreneurial with a founder mindset.

- Equally comfortable visiting factories as presenting business recommendations.

Must-Have Skills:

- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

- Excellent negotiation skills.

- Vendor evaluation and partner management experience.

- Procurement and supply chain understanding.

- Operations planning and execution.

- Process design and optimization.

- Strong communication and stakeholder management.

What We're Looking For:

- 7-12 years of experience in a startup or high-growth environment.

- MBA (Operations/Supply Chain/General Management) preferred.

- Willingness to travel to vendor locations as required.