Operations Manager

At AKIRA, we believe in breaking down the barriers of the traditional retail experience and embracing the individuality of both our team and our clients. We’re on the lookout for extraordinary individuals who thrive on creativity, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Join our team and become part of a culture that values diversity, fosters personal growth, and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. Operations Manager We’re looking for a detail-oriented and execution obsessed Technical Operations Manager to lead operations across production, EDI, logistics, and fulfillment—from factory production in China to final delivery to U.S. retailers. You’ll ensure everything runs on time and without surprises. This role is for someone who naturally spots bottlenecks and fixes them. You enjoy building systems and processes that make things run better, and you’re comfortable bringing structure to fast-moving, sometimes messy workflows. You think in timelines, dependencies, and what needs to happen next to keep things moving. You are both a project manager and operator: someone who can manage complex integrations, lead teams, troubleshoot technical issues, and relentlessly push projects forward without delays. We move fast. Retailers have hard deadlines. EDI doesn’t wait. Freight delays cost real money. If you take ownership, move quickly, and don’t let things stall—we’d love to talk. Key Responsibilities End-to-End Project & Integration Management Own full lifecycle of EDI, ERP, and 3PL integrations from scoping to testing to go-live Build and manage detailed timelines across cross-functional teams and external partners Ensure all integrations are delivered on time, fully functional, and scalable Act as the primary driver of accountability across internal teams, vendors, and retailers Production & Supply Chain Management (China to U.S.) Oversee production timelines from factory PO placement through ex-factory readiness with militant accuracy Hold overseas vendors accountable to ensure adherence to production schedules Track critical milestones: bulk production, QC, and shipment booking. Get ahead of delays 2-3 weeks before they happen Proactively identify and resolve production delays or risks before they impact delivery Ensure proper documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, compliance docs) is completed, everytime Logistics & Inbound Operations Manage international freight from origin (China) to U.S. warehouses/3PLs Coordinate with freight forwarders on bookings, transit timelines, and customs clearance Ensure goods land on time and are received accurately into WMS/ERP systems Monitor inbound SLAs and resolve delays at port, customs, or warehouse level Fulfillment & Outbound to Retailers Oversee order flow from ERP to WMS to retailer fulfillment Ensure all retailer compliance requirements (routing guides, labeling, ASN accuracy) are met Drive on-time shipment performance to wholesale partners and marketplaces Partner with 3PLs to ensure efficient pick/pack/ship operations and inventory accuracy EDI & Systems Integration Own all retailer EDI integrations end-to-end — onboarding to testing to go-live to optimization. Troubleshoot EDI failures, map errors, document root causes, and permanently fix recurring issues. Manage integrations between ERP, middleware, and fulfillment systems Manage implementation timelines and hold both internal teams and vendors accountable. Proactively monitor order flows to prevent delays before retailers see them. Technical Troubleshooting & Execution Act as the escalation point for stalled projects, broken integrations, or operational issues Diagnose root causes across systems (EDI, ERP, WMS) and implement solutions quickly Be hands-on in identifying why something is broken— not just delegating Maintain urgency and accountability to ensure nothing stalls Team Leadership & Accountability Manage and mentor operations, logistics, and/or production team members Set clear KPIs and hold team accountable to timelines and deliverables Build a culture of ownership, urgency, and precision Ensure strong communication across time zones (U.S. + China teams) Process Improvement & Scalability Build SOPs across production, logistics, and EDI workflows Identify inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions Create reporting dashboards to track project timelines, delays, and performance Continuously improve systems and workflows to support business growth AI Optimization Build and deploy AI workflows to optimize across production, logistics, and EDI workflows Use AI to reduce manual workload across operations and improve speed + accuracy. Use AI to build out vendor scorecards to track key KPIs within existing systems Project Management (High-Speed Execution) Run 8-12 concurrent operations projects with brutal clarity and urgency. Maintain a daily/weekly dashboard of red-flags, blockers, and required decisions. Be obsessive about deadlines and driving projects to completion. Operate like a technical project manager + operations commander. Success Metrics On-time production completion rates On-time inbound (factory to warehouse) performance On-time fulfillment to retailers % of EDI/integration projects launched on schedule Reduction in operational errors and delays Team performance and SLA adherence Qualifications Must-Have: 5 - 10+ years operations, logistics, EDI, supply chain or systems integration experience. Hands-on experience with: SPS Commerce, OpenText, Pipe17, and Netsuite Strong technical aptitude (JSON, CSV mapping, API logic, error analysis preferred). Experience working with 3PLs and routing guides for major retailers. Experience operating in a founder-driven or high-urgency startup environment. Bonus Skills AI workflow building (ChatGPT, automation tools, RPA, etc.) Footwear or fashion ops experience Retail compliance or chargeback mitigation WMS/OMS optimization experience Benefits and Perks We offer competitive benefits for full-time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, 401(k), and a generous employee discount. We’re committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement opportunities. Job Type: Full-Time We are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Compensation for this position will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process. We may utilize AI-assisted and automated tools as part of the recruiting and hiring process. All employment decisions are made in compliance with applicable laws and without discrimination. #J-18808-Ljbffr AKIRA