Director of Operations
: Job Details :

Vannin Chief of Staff has been retained by a pioneering global platform for local food systems, operating out of Denver, Colorado. With a strong ambition to expand throughout the United States, our client is revolutionizing the online grocery industry by bridging the gap between consumers and local food producers. This is an innovative start-up that embodies the spirit of embracing change, agility, and a profound sense of ownership.

Director of Operations Role

Our client is seeking a Director of Operations, reporting into the COO. The Director of Operations will play a key role in driving operational excellence and scaling the business. The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical expertise with sharp leadership and team management skills to create a culture of high performance in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. They thrive on solving complex challenges, operate with urgency, and are skilled at navigating ambiguity while fostering collaboration. With a strong focus on execution and results, they will ensure operational initiatives align with broader company goals and drive continuous improvement across all functions.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located on-site in Denver, CO.

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Performance Management:

• Lead day-to-day warehouse operations for inbound produce, outbound fulfillment, order picking, driver, and customer service teams to ensure smooth, efficient processes.
• Develop and maintain SLAs & KPIs to drive consistent performance and meet delivery expectations, particularly in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines.
• Oversee the ownership of operational data dashboards, interpreting key metrics to identify trends, operational inefficiencies, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Proactively identify and resolve operational issues, ensuring minimal disruption to workflows while maintaining consistently high team performance.
• Drive the documentation, implementation, and iteration of processes to optimize efficiency, continuously improve workflows, and manage change effectively.
• Oversee the operations budget, ensuring cost control and resource optimization.
• Ensure that all operations comply with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Champion a culture of safety and operational excellence.

Leadership & People Development:

• Manage a team of managers responsible for inbound and outbound operations, order picking, and customer service departments, creating a high-performing, cohesive unit.
• Lead all aspects of people management, including hiring, onboarding, offboarding, and organizational development to support the growth and success of the team.
• Set clear performance expectations and consistently mentor, coach, and develop the management team to ensure they are equipped to meet operational and team-based goals.
• Cultivate an environment of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the organization.

Strategic Growth & Continuous Improvement:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to drive the development and implementation of strategies aimed at scaling operations in a rapidly growing eCommerce environment.
• Analyze operational data to identify emerging trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities for growth, using these insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Lead change management initiatives to iterate and improve operational processes, ensuring the business can rapidly adapt to evolving conditions while maintaining high standards.
• Work closely with cross-functional Finance, Merchandising, Marketing, Human Resources, IT, and Product teams to align operational goals with broader business objectives, ensuring seamless execution and long-term success.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of operations management experience, with 2-3 years in eCommerce, grocery, or delivery environments with tight SLAs or same-day delivery.
• 5+ years managing diverse teams (exempt and non-exempt) with a focus on people management, including hiring, offboarding, and organizational development.
• Strong focus on team development, fostering a collaborative mindset and promoting a culture of excellence with high emotional intelligence (EQ).
• Proven ability to lead in fast-paced, startup environments, optimizing operations with lean resources.
• Strong analytical skills, using data to identify inefficiencies, drive decisions, and implement continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of follow-through to ensure a consistently positive customer experience.
• Extensive experience with delivery software and warehouse management systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills, empowering teams and driving results in high-pressure environments.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on-site, 5x/week, at the Denver, CO location.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.

Compensation Range: DOE $120,000 - 140,000 USD base annual salary + equity

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package.
• Exceptional benefits (medical, dental, vision).
• 100% employer paid life insurance.
• PTO/sick leave and paid holidays.
• Energetic, fun, and collaborative working environment.
• A leadership team that fosters a coaching culture.
• Transparent promotion opportunities.

What to Expect from Our Selection Process

Our selection process is designed to assess the whole candidate and foster a mutual match for you and us. The process includes:

Our client is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where our employees can thrive and be themselves! We welcome all persons into our community. We embrace the diversity of gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical and mental disabilities, medical condition, genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, marital status, family care or medical leave status, military or veteran status, or perceived membership in any of these groups.