Operations Manager

About SecondBloom SecondBloom Auctions is a specialized auction and advisory firm serving the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and industrial equipment sectors. Founded by agriculture and horticulture professionals with deep roots in indoor growing, SecondBloom manages equipment dispositions, including UCC Article9 liquidations and consignment sales, on behalf of secured lenders, receivers, bankruptcy trustees, restructuring advisors, and operators winding down or upgrading their facilities. Our engagements span greenhouses, vertical farms, cannabis cultivation facilities, and indoor produce operations, and we also operate an online marketplace connecting equipment buyers and sellers across the industry. Our mission is to maximize recovery for sellers, reduce risk for buyers, and keep valuable growing infrastructure in productive use. As a lean, fast-growing team, we give the right person real ownership from day one. The Role This is a full-time, on‑site Operations Manager position based in Northwest Indiana (Porter County, in the Chesterton/Valparaiso area), with travel to auction and project sites of roughly 50%. The Operations Manager owns the day‑to‑day execution of our auction engagements from intake through final settlement, and helps build the systems that let us scale. You will be the operational backbone of each sale, turning a facility full of equipment into a well‑run, well‑documented auction and a clean handoff to buyers. What you'll do Manage the engagement lifecycle. Support intake and asset baselining, then carry each engagement through cataloging, sale, collections, removal, and closeout. Catalog and prepare lots. Conduct site walks, organize and photograph equipment, and produce accurate lot titles, descriptions, and a sound lotting strategy. Run the auction platforms. Publish catalogs and open bidder registration across our online auction and marketplace channels; configure and monitor live sales; export and reconcile results. Invoice, collect, and handle tax. Issue invoices, process payments, manage resale and exemption certificates, reconcile daily against our payment and tracking systems, and drive collections on any defaults. Coordinate removal and bills of lading. Gate lot releases on cleared funds and signed paperwork, manage the load‑out schedule, and handle bills of lading and release documentation onsite. Support onsite operations. Provide hands‑on support during removal (staging, lot verification, forklift operation, and documentation), working alongside our qualified rigging partners, who perform all rigging, crane, and demolition work. Close out and settle. Reconcile each engagement, process scrap and secondary sales, settle with partners, and archive the complete engagement file. Build the playbook. Establish and refine standard operating procedures and drive continuous improvement as the business grows. What we're looking for Operations and logistics experience, including process optimization, inventory control, and workflow management. Marketplace, auction, or e‑commerce operations background, including vendor coordination, order fulfillment, and familiarity with online auction platforms and payment/e‑commerce systems. Strong analytical and organizational skills, with a habit of using data and metrics to guide decisions. Proficiency with business software (spreadsheets, inventory/tracking systems, project management, and document/file management tools). Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working across internal teams, vendors, buyers, and professional counterparties such as lenders, receivers, and counsel. Comfort with a physical, onsite role, including forklift operation, time on active job sites, and roughly 50% travel. Experience in agriculture, horticulture, or controlled environment agriculture is highly valued; exposure to liquidations, secured‑party dispositions, or estate/asset sales is a strong plus. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment and meet deadlines. Bachelor's degree in business, operations management, supply chain, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Leadership experience in supervising teams, establishing procedures, and driving continuous improvement. #J-18808-Ljbffr