B2B Smart Fridge Field Operations Manager

About the role

CookUnity’s B2B Smart Fridge network is scaling quickly, and we need a hands-on operations owner who can make sure every fridge, hardware kit, installation, and maintenance workflow is launch-ready and reliable in the field. This role owns the physical and technical readiness of Smart Fridge expansion: building and preparing fridges, managing hardware inventory, coordinating shipments and installers, validating systems before launch, and creating the documentation needed to make the process repeatable across markets. This is a field-operations role, not a purely strategic launch role. The ideal person is comfortable moving between a warehouse, a client site, a vendor call, a tracker, and a technical troubleshooting conversation.

Responsibilities

• Fridge Builds, Hardware Kits & Inventory
  • Build, prepare, and audit Smart Fridge units before deployment.
  • Assemble and maintain hardware kits for launches, including OptConnect, GlacierGrid, Raspberry Pi, CV equipment, cables, shelf pushers, labels, decals, and related components.
  • Maintain inventory of fridges, hardware, spare parts, and launch materials.
  • Track serial numbers, device IDs, on-hand stock, incoming equipment, and reorder needs.
  • Receive and test new equipment before it is used in the field.
  • Ensure each fridge and kit has a clear checklist before it is wrapped, shipped, or handed to an installer.
• Shipping, Installation & Field Readiness
  • Coordinate fridge shipments, freight, local moves, removals, and returns.
  • Coordinate build crews and installation partners.
  • Build and maintain a reliable network of local installers in key markets.
  • Confirm physical site readiness in partnership with Launch and Sales teams, including power, placement, access, permits, building approvals, and installation constraints.
  • Ensure fridges are installed with the correct hardware, branding, labels, sensors, connectivity, and dashboard setup.
  • Complete post-install validation before handoff.
• Systems, Tools & Technical Validation
  • Manage and maintain required Smart Fridge tools, dashboards, and logs, including OptConnect, GlacierGrid, Fraiche Dashboard, Raspberry Pi Connect, Rackbeat, and related trackers.
  • Validate that each deployed fridge is correctly mapped across systems.
  • Test connectivity, temperature monitoring, QR/access setup, CV camera readiness, locks, screens, and transaction flow.
  • Partner with Tech and Engineering teams to troubleshoot hardware issues and test new equipment or workflows.
  • Document issues, fixes, and repeatable processes so they can be used by future installers and operators.
• Maintenance & Cost Control
  • Coordinate maintenance work for active Smart Fridge units.
  • Track maintenance tickets, open issues, resolution status, and proof of completion.
  • Review and verify invoices tied to installs, freight, repairs, hardware, and contractor work.
  • Track cost per installation and maintenance cost by fridge, vendor, and market.
  • Flag risks early when parts, vendor availability, cost, or timing may impact a launch.
• Launch Stabilization & Handoff
  • Support the first days of newly launched fridges by confirming hardware, systems, inventory flow, and field execution are stable.
  • Communicate clear post-install updates with status, blockers, owners, costs, photos/proof, and next steps.
  • Partner with Smart Fridge Ops on any early escalations before handing the location into BAU ownership.
  • Create and maintain SOPs, launch checklists, training materials, and field guides.

What Success Looks Like

• Fridges ship complete, tested, labeled, and ready for installation.
• Launches are not delayed because of missing hardware, unclear ownership, or incomplete setup.
• Every install has a completed readiness checklist and proof of completion.
• Hardware, CV, shelf pusher, branding, and sensor rollouts are tracked clearly by unit and market.
• Install and maintenance costs are visible and reviewed.
• Field issues are documented in a way that prevents repeat problems.
• The Smart Fridge team has scalable SOPs and training materials instead of relying on tribal knowledge.

Requirements

• 3-6+ years of experience in field operations, warehouse operations, installation coordination, facilities, hardware deployment, technical logistics, or physical infrastructure rollout.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time to support installations, troubleshooting, vendor management, and field operations.
• Comfort working hands-on with equipment, hardware, tools, vendors, and field teams.
• Experience coordinating contractors, installers, carriers, or maintenance partners.
• Strong organization across trackers, inventory logs, invoices, POs, and vendor follow-up.
• Ability to troubleshoot operational and technical issues without needing every step defined in advance.
• Clear communication style with strong follow-through: what happened, why it happened, impact, owner, next step, and proof.
• Ability to create practical SOPs, checklists, and training documents that teams can actually use in the field.
• Willingness to travel regularly and work in warehouse/client-site environments.

Nice To Have

• Experience with vending, smart fridges, retail hardware, appliances, IoT devices, cold-chain operations, facilities, or field-service networks.
• Experience with connectivity devices, temperature sensors, camera systems, Raspberry Pi or similar hardware, QR/access systems, or operational dashboards.

Benefits

• Health Insurance coverage
• 401k Plan
• Eligible for a bi-annual performance bonus
• Unlimited PTO
• 5-year Sabbatical: After 5 years with CookUnity, you get a 4-week paid sabbatical
• Paid Family leave
• Compassionate Leave: 3-5 days each time the need arises
• A generous amount of CookUnity credits to enjoy our amazing meals, added to your account, monthly
• AI-forward workplace: enterprise access to ChatGPT and Claude to help you work smarter and grow faster
• Wellness perks: access to fitness subsidies to build a healthy lifestyle
• Personalized Spanish coach
• Awesome opportunity to join a company that is looking to change how we eat and how chefs work!

Pay

Pay Range for this position: $80,000 - $90,000 per year. All final pay rates will be determined by the candidate's experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.