Operations Manager

Alay is an athleisure and apparel brand fueled by the mindset NEVER STILL. We are seeking a hands-on Operations Manager to oversee daily operations, enhance internal processes, and support our growth trajectory. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will ensure seamless collaboration across teams, timely completion of deadlines, and smooth operational flow—from production planning through to customer delivery.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead daily operations across multiple departments by setting clear priorities, defining responsibilities, and establishing deadlines.
- Act as the central liaison between design, production, procurement, inventory, marketing, e-commerce, and fulfillment teams to ensure timely product and new-season launches. Align timelines, track deliverables, and resolve bottlenecks to keep all teams on schedule.
- Coordinate production and procurement schedules to maintain product availability and meet business demands.
- Oversee inventory planning, ensuring stock accuracy, timely replenishment, and management of slow-moving inventory.
- Supervise warehouse and order fulfillment processes, including packing, dispatch, returns, and courier coordination.
- Prepare stock, packaging, staffing, and dispatch capacity in advance of campaigns, promotions, and product launches.
- Develop and implement practical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), reporting systems, and quality control checkpoints to enhance operational efficiency.
- Monitor operational costs, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements to boost productivity without compromising quality.
- Conduct regular team follow-ups to resolve operational issues and maintain accountability across departments.
- Provide weekly performance reports to the Founder/CEO, highlighting pending tasks, delays, risks, and corrective actions.
- Coordinate the operational delivery of confirmed private orders in collaboration with production and business development teams.

Required Qualifications

- Minimum of 5 years of relevant operations experience, including managing teams and coordinating cross-departmental activities.
- Strong background in apparel, fashion retail, athleisure, or e-commerce sectors is highly preferred.
- Solid understanding of production coordination, procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and order fulfillment processes.
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
- Proven capability to manage multiple priorities, anticipate potential delays, and drive tasks to completion.
- Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets, inventory/ERP systems, and operational reporting tools. Experience with Shopify is an advantage.
- Proactive and accountable mindset with keen attention to detail.
- A relevant bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Candidates with prior experience in fast-paced apparel or athleisure brands will find this role especially rewarding. Success in this position is measured by on-time product launches, reliable inventory management, timely dispatches, effective interdepartmental coordination, and clear ownership of operational tasks. This role offers the opportunity to play a pivotal part in scaling a dynamic brand committed to innovation and growth.