Hardware Launch & Operations Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Minnesota.

📋 Description

• Oversee the operational readiness for the Home Hub launch, ensuring that essential milestones, dependencies, and decisions are on schedule.

• Foster alignment among Product, Engineering, Marketing, Finance, Customer Support, and external partners to facilitate a successful launch.

• Anticipate risks before they escalate into issues and take proactive measures to resolve them.

• Set up the necessary operating rhythms, reporting structures, and accountability frameworks to ensure smooth launch execution.

• Provide leadership with a clear view of launch readiness and operational performance metrics.

• Ensure that fulfillment, shipping, warranty, returns, and replacement processes are prepared for launch and can scale effectively.

• Develop operational workflows that create a high-quality customer experience from preorder through to post-purchase support.

• Cultivate strong partnerships with OEMs, fulfillment providers, logistics partners, and service vendors.

• Coordinate readiness for launch support, customer communications, and escalation procedures.

• Assist in laying the groundwork for future international fulfillment and expansion initiatives.

• Collaborate with leadership on inventory planning, demand forecasting, purchasing, and replenishment strategies.

• Help balance customer demand, operational readiness, and business goals as the launch date approaches.

• Establish clear processes for managing inventory health, fulfillment performance, and operational decision-making.

• Support launch-related commercial decisions that influence customer experience and business outcomes.

• Create dashboards and reporting tools that deliver actionable insights into launch readiness and ongoing operations.

• Monitor key performance metrics across revenue, margin, inventory, fulfillment performance, warranty activities, and customer satisfaction.

• Foster transparency regarding operational performance and highlight areas needing attention.

• Lead post-launch evaluations and identify opportunities for ongoing improvement.

⛳️ Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in launching, scaling, or operating consumer hardware products.

• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional launch executions involving Product, Engineering, Marketing, Finance, Customer Support, and external partners.

• Background in working with OEMs, manufacturers, fulfillment providers, logistics partners, or third-party service providers.

• Strong knowledge of fulfillment operations, inventory planning, warranty programs, returns management, and post-purchase customer experiences.

• Experience in developing operational processes, launch playbooks, dashboards, reporting mechanisms, and operating rhythms.

• Proven capability to manage complex initiatives with numerous stakeholders and competing priorities.

• Experience in identifying operational risks and driving resolutions in fast-paced environments.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a knack for utilizing data to guide decisions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• **Bonus Points:**

• Familiarity with connected devices, smart home products, tablets, displays, or consumer electronics.

• Experience in supporting direct-to-consumer (DTC) hardware businesses.

• Background in managing international fulfillment, logistics, or launch operations.

• Experience in launching products with preorder options.

• Experience in startup or growth-stage companies.

• History of working as a consultant, operator, or fractional leader in support of hardware businesses.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off and holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

• Flexible work environment and remote work options.

• Employee discounts on products and services.

• Collaborative and inclusive company culture.

• Access to wellness programs and resources.