Director of Operations

About Us

We are a purpose-led brand creating bags and accessories designed for innovators—engineers, founders, designers, and makers. Over fifteen years, we've grown significantly, earning B Corp certification and recognition such as Wirecutter’s top laptop backpack. Our goal is to build a business focused on substance and impact.

Role Overview

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Operations is pivotal in ensuring our products are delivered seamlessly and efficiently across all sales channels. This role involves overseeing vital operational relationships and decisions that maintain product flow and cost management. You will lead the operational strategy’s execution and act as the COO’s right-hand partner in refining and scaling our operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage key relationships with factories, suppliers, freight and 3PL partners, and international distributors, overseeing capacity, lead times, quality, and commercial terms.
• Oversee inventory planning across multiple channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, retail, marketplaces such as Amazon FBA, and international markets ensuring optimal buying volumes and allocation.
• Lead inbound logistics and distribution to guarantee timely and complete product delivery to required destinations.
• Contribute to the customer experience strategy by integrating feedback from issues like delays or quality complaints back into sourcing and purchasing decisions.
• Develop operational systems, reporting tools, and AI-driven processes that enable a small team to manage a growing business effectively, providing enhanced visibility into inventory, partner performance, and demand.
• Balance demand with factory capacity daily, closely monitoring production timelines using factory work-in-progress reports to preempt any shipping delays.
• Implement the operational strategy set by the COO, continuously improving processes and integrating operations into wider company planning aimed at profitability.
• Lead and develop a small team of one to two direct reports, fostering growth and performance.

Candidate Profile

• At least five years of experience in operations within an omnichannel physical goods business, familiar with freight, logistics, inventory planning, ecommerce, Amazon FBA marketplaces, wholesale, retail, international distribution, and customer service.
• Direct responsibility for managing factory and supplier partnerships and running inventory planning for brands in the $5 million to $40 million revenue range.
• Strategically oriented with strong people management skills; adept at translating strategy into effective execution and maintaining high standards.
• Serves as a reliable second-in-command, managing operational responsibilities fully and anticipating business needs.
• Innately driven by AI-first thinking; proven experience in using technology and intelligent systems to improve efficiency.
• Experience in commercial negotiations, managing terms in addition to relationships.
• Located in, or able to work closely from London, particularly near our Fitzrovia headquarters.

Why Join Us?

Having expanded fourteenfold in the past five years, we are entering an even more dynamic growth period. We offer a small but energetic team focused on quality and mutual support, working from our Fitzrovia HQ with some remote colleagues. We prioritize looking after our employees with comprehensive benefits and a positive culture.

Application Process

Please submit your CV along with a brief explanation of why you believe you are a perfect fit for this role.