Director of Operations

To apply directly to this role, please email [email protected] your non-chatGPT paragraph as to why you think you would be the best fit for this role! Applying via email is the only way to be considered for this role.

Director of Operations

Location: Durham, NC (In-Office)

Department: Operations

Reports To: Head of Operations

About Carpe

Carpe is the fastest-growing deodorant brand in the US. Our team is composed of ~25 insanely smart people working together in person in downtown Durham, NC. Our office is rather open with many private niches, and our energy level is HIGH.

The Role

We are seeking a Director of Operations who excels in data analysis, attention to detail, and cross-functional problem-solving (i.e., high quantitative intelligence). This role exists to scale and strengthen Carpe’s end-to-end operations across retail, DTC, and Amazon, ensuring seamless execution across manufacturing, inventory, fulfillment, and retail operations as the business continues to grow rapidly.

You’ll work closely with Carpe’s Head of Operations to own and execute critical components of our supply-chain and commercial operations. This includes translating demand forecasts and sales inputs into executable production, inventory, and fulfillment plans , ensuring strong in-stock performance across channels, analyzing sell-through and replenishment performance, resolving chargebacks or deductions with retail partners, and working directly with manufacturers, 3PLs, and suppliers to address issues as they arise. This role is deeply embedded in the day-to-day operations of a fast-growing CPG brand and carries real ownership over outcomes — not just analysis.

Success in this role requires comfort operating at multiple levels simultaneously — from detailed, hands-on work such as managing inventory and production spreadsheets, monitoring in-stock rates, reconciling chargebacks, tracking inventory movements, and coordinating inbound and outbound logistics, to higher-level problem-solving such as improving operational workflows, scaling planning and execution processes, supporting new system integrations, and ensuring products are produced, shipped, and received on time and to spec. You will be expected to take full ownership of both the details and the broader operational picture, communicate clearly with cross-functional partners and executives, and proactively identify and solve problems before they escalate. This role is best suited for someone who thrives on accountability, precision, and seeing complex operational challenges through from start to finish.

What You’ll Do

Inventory & Operations (Primary)

• Own day-to-day operational execution related to inventory across retail and ecommerce channels.
• Translate demand inputs from Sales and Marketing into production, replenishment, and inventory actions .
• Work directly with manufacturers, suppliers, and 3PL partners to: Monitor inventory levels
• Manage inbound timing
• Prevent stockouts, excess, and execution issues.
• Support new product launches, retail displays, and planograms from an operations readiness standpoint, ensuring product, components, and logistics are aligned before launch.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations leadership to ensure operational plans reflect business priorities.
• Communicate inventory risk, constraints, and tradeoffs clearly and proactively.
• Serve as the Operations point of contact for retail-related execution questions once product is in market.
• Support ad hoc operational projects and continuous improvement initiatives that improve scale, accuracy, and efficiency.

Operational Planning & Reporting

• Monitor sell-in, sell-through, and inventory performance by SKU, channel, and promotion to identify operational risk.
• Build and maintain operational tools, trackers, and reports (primarily in Excel) to support inventory and supply chain decisions.
• Investigate data discrepancies or anomalies and ensure issues are resolved at the source.
• Use data to support decisions and actions, not just reporting.

Retail Execution & Compliance

• Investigate and resolve retailer chargebacks, deductions, and compliance issues.
• Partner with Finance to ensure trade spend and deduction accuracy.
• Maintain data integrity in retailer portals and internal systems, ensuring all item setup and pricing details are accurate.

Who You Are

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field

3-5+ years of experience in sales operations, retail analytics, or supply chain (CPG or retail experience preferred)

High-ownership operator who is gritty, organized, and relentlessly curious, with the drive to build and improve operations hands-on while working directly with senior leaders

Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills (pivot tables, lookups, formulas, charts)

Analytical thinker with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy

Strong communicator who thrives in cross-functional, fast-paced environments

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS OPTIONAL IF YOU PROVE TO US YOU’RE MORE QUALIFIED VIA OTHER MEANS

Bonus If You Have

Experience with chargeback management, EDI systems, or retailer compliance

Familiarity with trade spend tracking or demand planning systems

Prior experience working with Retail, Walmart, or other large retailers

What You’ll Get

Direct Exposure to and mentorship from multiple senior leadership team members

Opportunity to grow scope and impact as the company scales

Competitive salary based on experience

Health, vision, and dental coverage

Flexible PTO

A front-row seat to the growth of one of the most disruptive brands in body care

To apply directly to this role, please email [email protected] your non-chatGPT paragraph as to why you think you would be the best fit for this role! Applying via email is the only way to be considered for this role.