Vice President, Operations

About the role

You are an exceptional operations leader who will serve as a key member of Ridwell's executive team. Reporting into Ridwell’s CEO & co-founder, you will be responsible for leading and sustaining the 200+ person operations organization that enables Ridwell to deliver exceptional service today while thoughtfully scaling our impact for the future.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all operational functions supporting Ridwell's doorstep pick-up service, including transportation, warehouse operations, fleet support, field leadership, operational safety, and operational performance across all markets.
• Develop and execute an operations strategy that supports Ridwell's continued growth, increasing complexity, and long-term scalability.
• Ensure operational decisions support sustainable performance across efficiency, quality, and safety objectives.
• Ensure Ridwell's operational network is structured and scaled to efficiently support the continued growth of our mail-in recycling business.
• Leverage data to set priorities, identify opportunities, test hypotheses, and drive continuous improvement.
• Advance the use of technology and AI to improve operational performance, decision-making, and scalability.
• Own key operational performance metrics and deliver predictable, high-quality results.
• Partner closely with Product, Finance, People Operations, Partnerships, and Member Success to align operational capabilities with company objectives.
• Evaluate customer density, transportation costs, processing capacity, and operational efficiency to inform strategic investments.
• Determine how Ridwell's doorstep pickup and mail-in operations can most effectively leverage shared infrastructure and resources.
• Lead operational planning and execution for new warehouse, market, and site launches.
• Build systems and processes that allow the business to scale efficiently while maintaining a strong member experience.
• Maintain a strong connection to frontline employees and operational realities.
• Regularly spend time in markets, warehouses, and field operations to understand challenges firsthand.
• Ensure operational decisions support both business performance and employee success.
• Foster a culture where employees at all levels understand how their work contributes to Ridwell's success.
• Foster positive labor relations by partnering effectively with union representatives, operational leaders, and frontline employees to support a safe, engaged, and high-performing workforce.
• Champion a culture of safety across all operations, ensuring employees have the training, resources, accountability, and leadership support needed to work safely while continuously improving safety performance.
• Lead and develop a team of operational leaders responsible for driving performance, execution, and results across the business.
• Ensure the organizational structure remains effective and scalable as the business grows and operational complexity increases.
• Effectively manage leaders with different skill sets while creating alignment around company priorities and goals.
• Identify, develop, and advocate for top performers across the organization.
• Establish clear accountability, strong communication, and high-performance standards throughout the operations organization.
• Serve as a role model for Ridwell's values and leadership expectations.
• Influence company strategy as a member of the executive team, championing the needs of operations team members as part of Ridwell’s goals.

Measures of Success

• A strong team culture across all markets where employees at every level are engaged, performing well, and are proud to work at Ridwell.
• Consistent achievement of operational performance metrics, including service quality, efficiency, and safety.
• Successful launch and stabilization of new facilities and operating locations.
• Strong financial performance supported by healthy unit economics, market profitability, and scalable systems.
• Efficient utilization of facilities, transportation assets, and operational resources across both doorstep and mail-in services.
• Development of high-performing operational leaders capable of growing with the business.
• A track record of process improvements driven through leadership, training, technology, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience as an executive leader within a high-growth or early-stage company.
• Founder or startup executive experience strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to connect with and inspire frontline employees.
• Significant experience scaling multi-site operations across multiple geographies.
• Ownership of large portions of a company's P&L.
• Experience leading operations organizations that include represented, unionized employees, with a demonstrated ability to build productive labor-management relationships while maintaining strong operational performance.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: logistics, transportation, fulfillment, warehouse operations, marketplace businesses, subscription services, or complex service operations.
• Strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Experience leveraging technology and product solutions to improve operational performance.
• Experience leading leaders, including regional or market-based management structures.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational development skills.
• Passion for sustainability, circular economy solutions, and mission-driven businesses.
• Ability to travel nationally to support company operations, growth initiatives, and leadership engagement, generally averaging one trip per month.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in logistics, transportation, fulfillment, warehouse operations, marketplace businesses, subscription services, or complex service operations.
• Strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Experience leveraging technology and product solutions to improve operational performance.
• Experience leading leaders, including regional or market-based management structures.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational development skills.
• Passion for sustainability, circular economy solutions, and mission-driven businesses.
• Ability to travel nationally to support company operations, growth initiatives, and leadership engagement, generally averaging one trip per month.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, vision and dental
• Flexible vacation and sick leave policy
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible spending account for transportation
• Life insurance and disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discount on a monthly Ridwell subscription
• 401(k) plan