Founded in 2009, our client designs premium outdoor homewares that inspire imagination and enrich life in nature. The brand is known for timeless collections that celebrate the vibrant energy of summer, bold geometry, and uncompromising quality. Beyond home and beach, they work closely with the trade and commercial sector, delivering sophisticated shade and custom designs to leading venues around the world. As they continue to grow, they're evolving their operations model and are now bringing key logistics functions in-house. We are seeking a hands-on Operations Manager to oversee and improve end-to-end business operations across warehousing, logistics, inventory, and order fulfilment. This is a critical role in a close-knit team, suited to someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and rolling up their sleeves. A key focus of this position will be managing the transition away from third-party logistics (3PL) to an efficient, scalable in-house warehousing and fulfilment model. Key Responsibilities: Lead the setup, organization and ongoing optimization of in-house warehouse operations Design warehouse layouts, workflows, SOPs and systems to support growth Oversee equipment maintenance, servicing and compliance with WHS requirements Analyze operational data to identify efficiencies and cost improvements Implement and improve systems, automation and reporting Manage relationships with offshore suppliers and factories to meet quality, cost and delivery targets Oversee the end-to-end purchase order lifecycle, from placement to final delivery Manage freight partners and transition logistics functions away from 3PL where required Maintain strong supplier and stakeholder relationships across the supply chain Develop and manage demand planning, forecasting and stock optimization Oversee inventory accuracy, raw materials tracking and production continuity Manage sell-through strategies across new, carryover and discontinued ranges Maintain and manage Bills of Materials (BOMs) for accurate costing and planning Lead, train and mentor warehouse and operations team members Provide hands-on support during peak periods or absences to ensure continuity Foster a collaborative, accountable and safety-focused team culture Support directors with budgeting, forecasting and operational cost control Assist with sales, margin and pricing analysis across wholesale, trade and online channels Develop, implement and maintain WHS policies and procedures Lead a proactive safety culture across warehouse and office environments About You Proven experience in an operations Manager or similar role within a small business, startup or scale-up Strong background in warehousing, logistics and inventory management Experience setting up or significantly improving in-house warehouse operations Comfortable being hands-on, including picking, packing and assembly when required Strong analytical and systems mindset, with advanced Excel skills Experience with ERP / inventory systems (Cin7 highly regarded), CRM (Capsule), and ecommerce platforms (Shopify) Confident communicator with strong stakeholder and supplier management skills Valid driver’s license and forklift license Bachelor’s degree in business, operations or a related field 5 years’ experience in operations leadership roles APPLY: by emailing your resume to amanda@optimalrecruitment.com.au or calling Amanda for a confidential chat on 02 8416 4181
