Founding Operations Manager

About the role

We are looking for our first operational hire to run day‑to‑day business alongside the founders of Orka, a fast‑growing CPG brand that makes highly caffeinated water. You will own the operational backbone – supply chain, production, inventory, freight, vendor relationships and accounting workflows – and build the processes that will scale the company.

Key responsibilities

• Manage end‑to‑end production runs with our co‑manufacturer, including scheduling, ingredient ordering, yield tracking and issue escalation.
• Oversee inventory of raw materials and finished goods, set reorder points, safety stock and SKU tracking to avoid stockouts or overstocks.
• Coordinate inbound raw‑material freight and outbound shipments to 3PLs and retailers, select carriers, negotiate rates and resolve delivery problems.
• Own the supply‑chain relationship with suppliers, monitor lead times and work with 3PL partners.
• Manage vendor relationships (co‑manufacturers, suppliers, freight brokers, agencies) and hold them accountable.
• Run daily accounting workflows – AP/AR, invoicing, expense tracking – in partnership with our bookkeeper and CPA.
• Build operational systems and SOPs for inventory tracking, production planning and vendor onboarding.
• Track operational KPIs and support retail and DTC expansion.

Required profile

• Based in Los Angeles and able to work on‑site.
• Strong work ethic and high agency – you solve problems without waiting for direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Resourceful and comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change.
• Genuine interest in business operations.

Required skills

• Experience managing supply‑chain, inventory or production processes.
• Familiarity with freight logistics and vendor negotiation.
• Basic accounting workflow knowledge (AP/AR, invoicing).
• Ability to build SOPs and operational systems.

What we offer

• Meaningful equity in the company.
• Outsized responsibility and ownership from day one.
• Accelerated career trajectory compressing five years of learning into one.