Job Description

Director of Operations

Full-Time, Permanent

About cuddle+kind

cuddle+kind is a social business founded by a family of five on a mission to help feed children in need. Our hand-knit dolls are ethically made by artisans in Peru and Nepal, and for every doll sold, we donate 10 meals to children. Our values drive everything we do: treating customers with kindness, delighting them at every touchpoint, and making them feel part of the cuddle+kind family.

The Role

The Director of Operations reports directly to the President and is responsible for scaling and strengthening cuddle+kind's global production and inventory capabilities to support rapid growth. Your first mandate will be to expand our production capacity from

by 20% dolls annually

, reduce stockouts of best sellers, and ensure sufficient inventory for new product launches.

In parallel, you will lead the implementation of a new ERP system to lay the foundation for long-term scalability and efficiency across production, inventory, and wholesale operations.

This is a full-time, permanent position with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our growth and mission.

What You'll Do

What You'll DoProduction Management & Capacity Expansion

Expand production capacity by sourcing, vetting, and onboarding new artisan suppliers, while strengthening trusted relationships with current partners in Peru and Nepal.

Collaborate closely with local production managers to optimize workforce planning, training, and quality control -- ensuring every doll meets cuddle+kind's uncompromising quality standards.

Build scalable and sustainable production processes that support long-term growth while maintaining the brand's commitment to ethical craftsmanship and artisan empowerment.

Product Quality Program

Oversee and continuously improve cuddle+kind's Product Quality Program, ensuring all dolls meet the company's promise of heirloom quality and lifetime durability.

Establish clear quality metrics and inspection standards across every production stage -- yarn, stuffing, accessories, finishing, and packaging.

Collaborate with production teams in Peru and Nepal to strengthen workshop-level quality training, ensuring consistency across all artisan groups.

Partner with the Design and Production teams to translate new product designs into scalable, repeatable quality processes before production.

Manage in-line and final inspection programs, proactively identifying trends in defects, and implementing corrective action plans that prevent recurrence.

Build feedback loops between customer service, production, and artisans to identify opportunities for material, technique, and design improvements.

Inventory Management

Lead demand forecasting, inventory planning, and replenishment across global warehouse locations in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Develop SKU-level dashboards and KPIs to monitor fill rates, stock coverage, stockouts, and excess/obsolete inventory.

Maintain healthy stock levels by aligning production lead times with sales velocity, building safety buffers for best sellers, and improving launch planning for new products.

ERP & Systems Implementation

Oversee the selection and implementation of a new ERP platform that integrates Shopify, wholesale, and warehouse systems.

Build scalable workflows and real-time reporting that enable operational visibility and support both DTC and wholesale growth.

Champion system adoption by training and supporting cross-functional teams, ensuring data accuracy and consistency.

Leverage AI and automation to enhance forecasting accuracy, streamline purchasing, and inform strategic decisions.

Wholesale & Logistics Support

Support wholesale readiness by ensuring operational compliance with major retail partners such as Nordstrom, Indigo, and Barnes & Noble.

Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to align new product launches, channel expansion, and promotional campaigns with production capacity and inventory availability.

Oversee high-level relationships with 3PLs and logistics partners, while delegating tactical freight and vendor management to operations specialists.

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Who You Are

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field. 5+ years of operations, production, or supply chain management experience. Proven success in production/inventory scaling or ERP/systems implementation. Strong analytical skills with the ability to manage KPIs and optimize workflows. Experience working with international manufacturing or artisan partners is a strong asset. Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of coaching high-performing teams. Excellent communicator who thrives in cross-cultural, cross-functional collaboration. Detail-oriented, resourceful, and able to balance immediate priorities with long-term strategy.
Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

Dental care Extended health care Life insurance On-site parking Paid time off
Application question(s):

Can you share your experience in textile production management? This position will require quarterly travel to Lima Peru for extended periods. Please confirm this is something you are aware and comfortable with this travel requirement.
Experience:

Apparel or textile operations: 3 years (preferred) production management: 3 years (preferred)
Willingness to travel:

25% (preferred)
Work Location: In person