The Position: Director of Operations

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and scaling our operational workflow and business systems. This role ensures efficient execution of company strategy across Operations Teams: IT, Customer Service, Fulfillment & Logistics, and US-based Production.

The Company: 

Pushing boundaries to redefine the future of hydration, HydraPak creates innovative gear that is specialized for a variety of different athletic activities. Easy-to-use and highly functional, every HydraPak product showcases the technical manufacturing expertise that has distinguished the company for two decades. By offering a better way to hydrate, and continually seeking to refine its offerings, HydraPak has pioneered new product categories and become a trusted hydration partner for athletes worldwide. The company sells to athletes directly and as an original equipment partner of major brands in the active Outdoor Recreation industry that incorporate our hands-free hydration reservoirs and soft flasks into hydration backpacks and running vests. We work with over 70 leading brands in this capacity including Osprey Backpacks, Salomon, Patagonia and The North Face. HydraPak also operates as Bottle Bright®, the natural and effective cleaning tablet. Our branded hydration products are available at specialty sport stores worldwide.  

Our Company Values:  ATHLETE 

Advocates:  We are a customer-focused company. We think about the challenges our customers face and make them our top priority.

Team Players:  Teamwork makes the dream work. We collaborate and focus on the overall success of our customers and our company. We all unload the container and collaborate without ego.

Honest:  We’re committed to moral principles and having high integrity. Our handshake is our word. We strive to do the right thing, even when no one else is paying attention.

Long-View Thinkers:  We’re focused on where we want to go, and what we have to do today to meet tomorrow’s goal. From our team members to customers, we recognize that long-lasting, authentic relationships are the key to our continued growth and success.

Entrepreneurs & Innovators:  We are the experts in our category and craft. We don’t settle. We create new products and services and improve on what’s already been done.

Tolerant & Respectful:  The Golden Rule drives us. We value the importance of diversity in work, play and life. We bring our whole selves to work. We treat everyone with respect and dignity.

Eco-Conscious:  We believe in protecting, preserving, and providing access to the communities where we work and play. We endeavor to reduce our environmental impact on the earth and its resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Performance

• Oversee day-to-day performance of all operations teams including: IT, Customer Service, Fulfillment & Logistics, and US-based Production, producing maximum output at optimal cost thresholds.
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure productivity and meeting all Service Level Agreements.
• Evaluate and address operational gaps, implementing software, hardware, and process enhancements or restructuring where necessary. 
• Standardize workflows, creating, revising, and maintaining a robust set of Standard Operating Procedures for current and future employees.
• Accountable for compliance with OSHA standards, applicable labor laws, and company policies.

Business Growth & Financial Accountability

• Support expansion of new and existing Sales Channels by allocating appropriate internal resources.
• Accountable for operating within budget, forecasting for new initiatives, and identifying cost saving opportunities.
• Drive payroll efficiency for the company’s largest pool of hourly and entry-level employees.
• Partner with Senior Leadership Team to align and balance operational costs with company growth strategy.

Team Leadership & Cross Department Alignment

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of Managers responsible for IT, Customer Experience, Fulfillment & Logistics, and U.S.-based Production in a player-coach environment.
• Build a high-performance culture by leading by example and fostering accountability, collaboration, and excellence. 
• Support the hiring, training, and retention of high-performing operational talent. 
• Navigate the balance of the Department’s daily priorities and the need to provide internal services to Sales, Marketing, Product, Finance and Admin Departments - fostering positive collaboration as opposed to building walled gardens.

Systems Development

• Lead the Business Systems Architect and additional IT resources to leverage automation tools to reduce manual, repetitive tasks for order acknowledgement and processing.
• Assess and implement a comprehensive solution to streamline order picking, packing, and shipping processes.
• Map and execute future business systems integrations in order to add 3PL partners to our current fulfilment footprint.
• Creative and adventurous application of achievable AI-driven improvements across all Operations processes.

Experience and Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering or related field or equivalent experience in lieu of degree required
• 5+ years of experience in Operations management for a global, fast-paced, distributed environment
• Experience using and supporting teams using core business systems (ERP, E-commerce, BI, CRM)
• Proven understanding of the inventory and order flow processes across multiple system integration
• Proven ability to lead end-to-end evaluation, business case development, and executive pitching of major operational systems (e.g., WMS), securing SLT approval and delivering successful implementations that improved efficiency and reduced costs

Skills & Aptitudes

• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• High level of organization, multitasking, and accountability.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to operate independently.
• Ability to view the business as a series of connected workflows rather than just a collection of break/fix support tickets.
• Service-oriented approach to user support.
• The ideal candidate is a hands-on thinker capable of understanding how  integrating cross-functional systems and deploying AI-driven workflows can fundamentally change how employees work.

Working Environment & Physical Demands

• Based in our Longmont, Colorado office.
• Office-based work with typical desk and computer tasks.
• Hands-on work on occasion, e.g., unloading containers, reorganizing warehouse.
• Travel to suppliers, vendors, and additional office locations required

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time position based in our Longmont, CO office Monday-Friday. Pay range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 annually with up to 10% bonus potential. HydraPak offers up to 120 hours of Paid Time Off in the first year of service, 12 paid holidays, a range of insurance benefits starting the first of the month following a 30-day waiting period, and a 401(k) plan with company match after 90 days.