Chief Operations Officer, BuyWander - Seattle, WA

Chief Operations Officer – BuyWanderBuild the Engine. Scale the Machine. Make It Run.Location: Seattle, WA| Multi-location travel requiredType: Full-Time | ExecutiveCompensation: Competitive Salary $215-$300K that includes Meaningful Equity + Performance BonusesABOUT BUYWANDERBuyWander is rebuilding the $850B retail returns industry—and turning it into something people actually love.We take returned goods and transform them into a fast, fun, treasure-hunt shopping experience powered by AI and local pickup.Think:   • Entertainment meets eCommerce   • Treasure hunting meets Black Friday   • Community meets opportunityWe’re not just building a marketplace.We’re building a network of high-performing local operations that power a national experience._________________________________________________________________THE ROLEWe’re hiring our Chief Operations Officer.This is one of the most critical roles in the company.You will:   • Mechanize BuyWander   • Build scalable systems across locations   • Ensure every site runs smoothly, profitably, and consistently   • Turn operational complexity into a competitive advantage This is a builder + operator + scaler role.You’ll go from:Scrappy, hands-on problem solving to repeatable systems that scale across marketsWe’re looking for someone who is:   • A systems thinker   • A relentless operator   • A leader of leaders   • Data-driven and AI-forward   • Comfortable in the weeds AND at 10,000 feetIf you want to oversee from afar—this isn’t it. If you want to build the operating system behind a category-defining company—keep reading.WHAT YOU’LL OWNOperational Excellence Across Locations:   • Ensure every warehouse/store runs smoothly, efficiently, and profitably   • Standardize workflows across receiving, processing, auctions, and pickup   • Identify and eliminate bottlenecks across the operationBuild the Operating System:   • Design and implement scalable processes, SOPs, and playbooks   • Turn tribal knowledge into structured systems   • Create consistency across all marketsMechanization & Scale:   • Introduce automation, tooling, and AI to improve efficiency   • Reduce manual work and increase throughput   • Build systems that allow us to scale rapidly without breakingPeople & Performance:   • Hire, train, and develop General Managers and site leaders   • Build a high-performance culture across all locations   • Implement clear KPIs, accountability, and performance managementUnit Economics & Profitability:   • Own operational metrics: cost per unit, throughput, labor efficiency, margin   • Continuously improve profitability at the site level   • Partner with leadership on forecasting and expansion decisionsTraining & Development:   • Build onboarding and training systems for new locations   • Ensure teams are equipped to execute consistently   • Develop future leaders within the organizationCross-Functional Leadership:   • Partner with Product, Data, and Marketing to improve       the full customer experience   • Ensure operations and customer experience are tightly alignedFirefighting to System Building:   • Solve immediate problems fast   • Then build systems so they don’t happen again_________________________________________________________________WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENTMost ops roles:   • Maintain existing systems   • Manage teams   • Optimize at the marginsThis role:   • Builds the entire operating system from scratch   • Scales a multi-location business rapidly   • Directly impacts growth, margins, and customer experience   • Has real equity upside tied to successYou will be a key partner to the founders in building BuyWander.GROWTH & UPSIDE   • Scale operations nationally   • Build and lead the full operations organization   • Equity in a company attacking a massive market   • Opportunity to evolve into a COO-level roleWHY BUYWANDER   • Massive market + broken system   • High-speed, high-ownership environment   • Mission-driven: helping people get ahead   • A team building something fun, real, and meaningfulRequirements WHAT YOU BRING    • 7–15+ years in operations, logistics, or multi-site management    • Proven experience scaling operations across multiple locations    • Strong systems thinking—you design processes that actually work    • Experience managing P&L and driving profitability    • Ability to operate in chaos and bring structure    • Strong leadership skills—you can lead managers and frontline teamsBONUS POINTS    • Experience in warehouses, logistics, retail, or marketplace operations    • Experience scaling from 1 to many locations    • Lean, Six Sigma, or process optimization background    • Experience implementing automation or AI in operationsWHO YOU ARE    • Builder: You create systems where none exist    • Operator: You execute relentlessly and hold a high bar    • Systems thinker: You solve root problems, not symptoms    • Leader of leaders: You build strong teams and develop talent    • Data-driven: You manage through metrics, not guesswork    • Owner: You take responsibility for outcomes  COMPANY BENEFITSCompetitive Salary and Performance-based Bonuses Meaningful equity in a company attacking a massive market, for a brand that can become nationally recognized Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Unlimited PTO Annual Company Offsites 401KIf you want to build the machine behind something big—and make it run at scale—let’s talk.BuyWander is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make employment decisions based on qualifications, skills, merit, and business needs. We believe a range of skills, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our team and supports better outcomes for our employees and customers.