Vice President, People & Business Operations

About CreateMe CreateMe is an AI robotics company pioneering automated manufacturing for soft materials, starting with apparel. Built on the belief that the Future of Fashion is Bonded™, the company has developed a unified platform that combines advanced robotics, proprietary adhesive bonding, and Physical AI to deliver a new standard of precision, consistency, and speed. By replacing stitch-based construction with digitally applied adhesives and automated material handling, the platform enables localized, on‑demand production that reduces waste, shortens supply chains, and improves recyclability by design. Core technologies include Pixel™ micro adhesive bonding, the MeRA™ robotic assembly system, and Thermo(re)set™ reversible adhesive science, advancements that make scalable, automated production possible within compact, localized facilities. CreateMe partners with brands and manufacturers seeking to modernize how products are made. With more than 95 patents across robotics, adhesives, and Physical AI, the company is defining the infrastructure for bonded manufacturing globally. Role Overview CreateMe is seeking a Vice President, People & Business Operations to serve as a strategic and operational partner to the company. Reporting directly to our Founder & CEO, this role leads HR, Recruiting, and Business Operations, while acting as a trusted peer and support to the executive team and department leaders. This is a hybrid leadership role at an early‑stage Series A company, working with a growing team of 25, with a roughly 60% focus on HR and Recruiting and 40% on Business Operations. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll work closely with the exec team and functional leaders to understand priorities, drive alignment, and help resolve cross‑functional challenges, bringing both an operations mindset and strong project management discipline. As our HR and Recruiting lead, you’ll own talent strategy end‑to‑end—from role definition and hiring through onboarding, PEO‑supported benefits and payroll, and the overall employee experience—at a pivotal moment for talent growth in 2026. With demonstrated impact and strong partnership across the business, this role is intended to progress into a seat on the Executive Leadership Team and participation in Board activities as an observer and operational support. The ideal candidate is self‑directed, brings a “no task too small” mindset, and operates like an owner—comfortable in a fast‑paced environment, willing to think creatively, and motivated to push beyond the limits of a legacy industry. This is a role for someone seeking real challenge, exposure to building a company at its most critical stages, and meaningful responsibility as a path to growing into a senior business leader. This role is onsite in Newark, CA and is not eligible for relocation assistance. This position is not eligible for new employment visa sponsorship. Candidates must have full authorization to work in the United States. Responsibilities Human Resources and Recruiting Serve as the strategic and operational People leader, and the HR Business Partner to the business. This includes our largest team, Engineering, led by our Chief Engineer. Lead the talent strategy, role development, and end‑to‑end recruitment. Lead candidate experience to employee onboarding. Build and enhance the overall employee experience, including leading a culture of feedback and development, harmonizing a range of employee personalities. Lead employee relations, conflict management, and performance management in a fair, consistent, sensitive, and confidential manner. Complete all HR, benefits, and pay compliance requirements. Own benefits, payroll, and HR system programs, communications, and technical support alongside our PEO and VP of Finance. Manage all HR and Recruiting vendors. Manage all HR and Recruiting systems and data, including our PEO’s HRIS, our ATS, and Compensation and Benefits benchmarking and tooling. Business Operations Lead and support all general business operations, including supporting each function leaders’ top priorities and challenges, working to collaboratively achieve and resolve them. Lead agenda and presentation prep for internal and external meetings. Document meeting notes, and summarize key discussions, decisions, and actions. Document and update processes. Own document naming and filing for executive, legal, and contract categories. Ensure important filings, documentation updates, and office operations, and vendor relationships are executed efficiently. Provide business‑oriented project management. This role has an important onsite presence. Co‑lead coordination of internal and external events. Required Skills/Abilities 12+ years of People and Business Operations experience Significant experience in each discipline, and relevant education that supports the role. Minimum 10 years people management and coaching experience. Must have experience in fast‑moving startup businesses; tech strongly preferred. Must have experience in manufacturing or other hourly labor environments, including deep knowledge of best labor and management practices with hourly, non‑exempt teams and supervisors in CA. Demonstrated experience as an operational partner to executive leadership and department heads, with a strategic mindset. Proven ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong ability to present data and observations. Excellent attention to detail, follow‑through, timeliness. Organizational, communication, and documentation skills are critical. Ability to build your resource toolkit, including appropriate use of AI tools. Proficiency with Google Suite, MS Office Suite, and Mac or Windows OS. For any onsite work: Ability to stand and work on your feet for extended periods, push/pull/stoop/climb, perform occasional repetitive tasks, and occasionally lift up to 30 lbs. Top Candidate Qualities Extremely hard working, conscientious, and tenacious. Appreciation for the fine detail and sensitivity, like a legal partner. You have an eagle eye and awareness of the comings and goings of the business, and a strong sense of when to jump in to support and lead cross‑functionally. You are strong at follow‑up, documentation, and coordinating people to get things done. High degree of maturity, professionalism, discretion and confidentiality in all matters. Comfortable with a range between highly strategic impactful work and administrative minutiae (no job too small mentality). High emotional intelligence: Enjoys relationship building, crafting organizational communications, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. High adaptability: Comfort navigating ambiguity, pivots, and changes in priorities. You are generally unfazed, unruffled, objective and rational, and have a cool head. Experienced in and comfortable with early startup speed, not letting perfection get in the way of good and complete, and well‑calibrated risk assessment and tolerance. Working at CreateMe Stay healthy and happy through our comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, life and disability coverage, and supplemental health and wellness benefits and perks. Save for the future with our 401(k) retirement program. Take time away from the office through our Flexible Paid Time Off program. Be an owner! CreateMe’s equity program offers the opportunity to own stock in the company that we’re building together. Learn and grow through formal and informal learning opportunities, and a culture of feedback and development as you grow your talent and career. At CreateMe Technologies, we value diversity and treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. WE DO NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED RESUMES FROM STAFFING AGENCIES OR THIRD‑PARTY RECRUITERS. #J-18808-Ljbffr S27a