Associate Director, Operations

Position Title: Associate Director, Operations

Reports to : Managing Director

Department : Supply Chain

Location : Calabasas, CA (Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite)

Direct Reports: 3 (Team of 5)

Scope / Brands : North America / GHD

WHO ARE WE?

Iconic British brand ghd, is a global leader in high end professional hair styling tools and the UK’s number one recommended styling brand. Loved by stylists and consumers, loved by press, and loved by the people that work for the brand! Merging science and innovation, with luxury beauty and style; ghd pioneers new technologies and beautiful designs to create the most technically advanced hair tools in the world. A trusted and loved brand, ghd sells 2 million stylers every year and 5 iconic ghd products are sold every minute. The award-winning ghd tools are used by 200,000 stylists around the world and sold in 30+ countries and more than 45,000 premium salons. Renowned for game changing innovation and superior performance, at ghd we are on a mission to transform the lives of women via the power of a good hair day!

Position Overview

Reporting to the Managing Director and serving as a key member of the ghd North America Leadership Team, the Associate Director, Operations will lead the NA Operations function with end-to-end responsibility for supply operations across the region. This role oversees all aspects of Logistics for North America, including demand planning, 3PL management, order-to-cash execution (order, shipping, billing), global and manufacturing supply chain coordination, inventory management and customer allocation, quality control and returns, customer service, warehouse operations, new customer setup, samples, and packaging planning. As a critical business leader, you will own ghd NA Supply Operations, ensuring operational excellence in service of our customers while enabling continued growth and optimizing cost, cash, and service levels. Success in this role requires rapid adoption of systems and processes to effectively assume ownership of operations, along with a continuous improvement mindset to drive efficiency and cost optimization. Equally important, this leader will operate as a fully integrated member of the ghd team—demonstrating passion for the brand and a strong commitment to winning in the North America market.

JOB ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead end-to-end portfolio governance across Supply Chain, including program and budget management, performance tracking, reporting, and analytics.
• Define and execute the Supply Network optimization roadmap (make vs. buy, local vs. global production, customization) to improve service, cost, and cash flow.
• Establish clear KPIs and performance management routines to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Translate strategy into action through strong communication and influence, aligning senior leadership and co-creating long-term plans.
• Identify and model improvement opportunities, driving accountability for results and operational outcomes.
• Oversee day-to-day supply operations, including customer service, returns management, order fulfillment, logistics, and shipment tracking.
• Partner closely with global teams on POs, invoicing, and inventory flows; act as primary liaison with 3PLs and warehouses across the U.S. and Canada.
• Manage inventory, allocation, and quality control processes, proactively addressing risks and optimizing inventory health.
• Support product lifecycle operations, including new item setup, packaging changes, and sample management for commercial teams.
• Build and lead a high-performing team, fostering development, accountability, and engagement.
• Act as a key member of the ghd Operations team, driving execution excellence and contributing to sustained business growth in North America.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree required (Business Administration or Supply Chain preferred).
• 7–10+ years of Supply Chain and/or Operations experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics; strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to drive cross-functional outcomes in complex environments.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute at both tactical and operational levels.
• Agile and adaptable, with the ability to quickly learn new systems and processes.
• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and effective in prioritization and time management.
• Strong collaborator with the ability to build effective partnerships across diverse teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.

We disclose the compensation range for positions in compliance with local law. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, skills and in comparison to internal incumbents currently in similar roles. Pay Range: $140,000 - $164,000 salary per year. The range listed is just one component of Wella Company's total rewards package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus plan or variable pay, depending on the role. In addition, Wella Company provides a rich variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

NOTICES

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io . This email account will not respond to inquiries regarding the status of a candidate’s application.

Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

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