Operations Manager, Production & Fulfillment

Position Type: Full-time hourly – 32 hours per week over 4 daysCompensation: $30–$36 per hour (DOE), equivalent to approximately $50-60k annually based on a 32-hour workweekLocation: Queens, NYC (in-person production and fulfillment facility)A note on the role: We are looking for a dedicated, ambitious individual to join us in this full-time position and grow within our team. We are excited to invest in someone eager to lead and expand our operations as we scale.Are You a Hands-On CPG Ops Leader Who Builds Systems That Scale?We're not looking for someone who manages from a spreadsheet. We need someone who has stood on a production floor, run machinery, untangled fulfillment bottlenecks, and built the SOPs that made it all repeatable — and then coached a team to execute them flawlessly.At Senbird Tea, our products are made and shipped from our Queens facility. This role owns that entire engine: from operating tea blending and packaging machinery, to getting D2C and B2B orders out the door on time, to building the workflows that let us scale without breaking. If you've done this before in a CPG or ecommerce environment and you're hungry to own it at a growing brand — this is your next move.This role is an Operations Lead with a clear path to Operations Manager as we scale. We're investing in someone who wants to own and grow this function long-term.About SenbirdSenbird Tea is an Asian American family-owned Japanese tea company dedicated to bringing you the finest teas from family farms in Japan. Rooted in wellness, sustainability, and quality, our curated collection of teas, premium gift sets, and handcrafted teaware has been recognized by Forbes, Food & Wine, BuzzFeed, and Sustainable Jungle. With over 15,000+ five-star reviews on Amazon, we take pride in delivering an exceptional tea experience that nurtures a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Join us in celebrating the rich traditions of Japanese tea—one cup at a time.Who We're Looking ForWe are seeking a leader who embodies our values of collaboration, care, and efficiency. You'll know you're the right person for this role if:You have direct CPG or ecommerce operations experience — you've worked in a physical production or fulfillment environment where product was made, packed, and shipped, and you've helped scale itYou are comfortable operating and troubleshooting production machinery — you don't wait for someone else to fix itYou build systems before problems happen. SOPs, checklists, workflows — you create the infrastructure that makes a team consistent and scalableYou lead from the floor, not from a chair. You set the standard by doing, and your team follows because they respect your competence, not just your titleYou are a problem-solver with bias toward action — when a bottleneck appears, you diagnose it, fix it, and document it so it doesn't happen againYou want to grow. This role is designed to develop into an Operations Manager as Senbird scalesWhat You'll OwnProduction OperationsOperate and oversee machinery used in tea blending, tin filling, labeling, and final packaging — ensuring daily and weekly production quotas are met with accuracy and consistencyIdentify and resolve production bottlenecks in real time; implement permanent fixes through updated SOPsMaintain and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures for all production processesEnforce quality control standards across all finished goods before they shipFulfillment OperationsOversee all D2C and B2B order fulfillment — packing, shipping, and accuracyManage inbound shipments from Japan and domestic suppliers; coordinate receiving and put-awayWork with ShipStation, Shopify, and other platforms to track order flow and flag issues proactivelyInventoryManage raw material, packaging, and finished goods inventory to prevent stockouts and overstockForecast replenishment needs based on sales velocity and production schedulesOwn inventory accuracy — cycle counts, reconciliation, and reporting to leadershipTeam Leadership & ScalingTrain, mentor, and manage production and fulfillment team members, seasonal hires, and internsMonitor team performance against quotas; coach toward improvement, not just complianceLead weekly ops updates and cross-functional alignment with the founders and broader teamBuild the infrastructure — people, systems, workflows, training docs — that allows the team to scale without constant supervisionYour qualifications5+ years of hands-on experience in CPG production, ecommerce fulfillment, or consumer goods manufacturingDirect experience operating production or packaging machinery in a food, beverage, or CPG environmentProven track record of building or improving operational systems (SOPs, workflows, training programs) that scaled with team growthExperience managing or supervising a small team in a production or warehouse environmentFamiliarity with e-commerce fulfillment platforms (ShipStation, Amazon Seller Central, Shopify, or equivalent)Strong inventory management skills — tracking, forecasting, and reconciliationPhysically capable of hands-on work, including lifting up to 50 lbsStrongly Preferred:Experience in a DTC or omnichannel CPG brand (especially in food, beverage, or wellness)Background in both production and fulfillment — not just one or the otherPassion for Japanese tea, wellness, or sustainable consumer goodsAdditional DetailsThis role is deliberately structured as a Lead ? Manager progression. As Senbird's volume grows, we expect this person to grow with it — taking on more team ownership, more strategic planning, and eventually the title of Operations Manager. We are investing in someone who wants that trajectory.Schedule: 4 days per week, 32 hours total (e.g., 10am-6pm or similar flexible hours; occasional adjustments during peak seasons may apply).Interview process: typically includes 2-3 interviews, including a brief assessment, all designed to ensure we're the right fit for you and you're the right fit for us. We look forward to connecting with you!What We Offer4-Day Work Week (32 hours, Mon–Thu): Real work-life balance, not a marketing linePaid Time Off & Sick LeaveHealth Insurance (available upon eligibility)Monthly Tea Allowance + Generous Employee Discount: Become a genuine product expertDirect Mentorship from Founders: You'll have real access, real input, and real visibilityCareer Growth: A clear, defined path to Operations Manager as we scaleTeam Events & Culture: A small, tight-knit crew that celebrates wins and supports each otherTeam, Culture, ValuesSenbird has been rooted in Queens, NYC since 2018. We're a small, hands-on team of self-starters who care deeply about the quality of what we make and the experience we deliver. We value people who are dependable, proactive, and collaborative — who take ownership without being asked and communicate clearly when something's off. We work hard, but sustainably, because we're building something meant to last.Senbird Tea is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.