Head of Operations

Job description

Podium Automation http://www.podiumautomation.com/ is reimagining industrial control panel manufacturing through software-enabled design and automated fabrication. We're building technology to create a new industrial supply chain - reducing lead times for critical electrical equipment from months to days. We've raised over $23M from top-tier investors including Construct Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Transition Ventures, Sunflower Capital, Banter Capital, and SV Angel. As Head of Operations, you will own everything that happens across panel design, fabrication, and delivery. This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Co-Founder/CEO, responsible for building and running the operational backbone of a fast-scaling hardware company. You will oversee production across our current and future manufacturing facilities, lead our supply chain and procurement function, and drive site selection and expansion as we grow our footprint. This role is equal parts builder and operator - you'll set strategy and get into the details. The right person has deep experience in manufacturing/production environments and thrives at the intersection of process rigor, people leadership, and scrappy problem-solving. WHAT YOU'LL OWN Production & Manufacturing - Own end-to-end production operations across all current and future Podium facilities, with full accountability for output, quality, and throughput - Build and continuously improve manufacturing processes, workflows, and quality systems as we scale from early production to high-volume operations - Recruit, develop, and lead a world-class operations team including facility general managers, production supervisors, and technicians - Partner with engineering to drive DFM (design for manufacturability) and ensure a tight feedback loop between product and production Supply Chain & Procurement - Lead all procurement and sourcing for components, materials, and equipment — managing vendor relationships from selection through ongoing performance - Drive strategic vendor negotiations to optimize cost, lead time, and supply reliability as our volumes grow - Build resilient supply chain systems that can absorb disruptions and support rapid product iteration - Develop and manage inventory strategies, demand planning, and materials forecasting Facilities & Expansion - Own site selection and buildout for new manufacturing facilities as Podium expands geographically - Develop the criteria, process, and execution plan for evaluating and standing up new production sites - Manage relationships with landlords, contractors, and local stakeholders across all facilities - Ensure all sites meet safety, compliance, and operational standards WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, or related sectors - Demonstrated track record scaling manufacturing operations — you've taken a facility or production line from early-stage to meaningful volume - Deep expertise in supply chain management, strategic sourcing, and vendor negotiation in a hardware context - Experience selecting and standing up new manufacturing facilities or sites - Strong people leader who can build teams, develop talent, and operate effectively across hourly and salaried workforces - Comfort operating in ambiguity and a startup environment — you're able to define the playbook, not just execute one - Analytical and data-driven; able to define and track operational KPIs and make decisions grounded in metrics - Excellent cross-functional collaborator with engineering, finance, and leadership - Background in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies Nice to Have - Experience in electrical equipment, industrial automation, or control systems manufacturing - Experience with ERP (Odoo) or MES systems in a manufacturing context