This is not a traditional operational management role; it is a high-stakes, hands-on execution play with a clear mandate. Your mission is to take full ownership of the systems, processes, and cross-functional cadences required to scale Panda Drum from a $25M brand into a 9-figure powerhouse. 

This role is defined by the goal of making the founder’s involvement in day-to-day execution trend toward zero. You will be the operational architect, building the function from the ground up and ensuring every hire, vendor, and project moves forward with speed and precision as the brand scales toward $60M and beyond.

WHO THEY ARE

Panda Drum is a $25M+ revenue DTC leader in the wellness and musical instrument space. The company's core product is a tool for stress relief, mindfulness, meditation, and creative expression. The brand emphasizes healing resonance, ease of use (no musical experience needed), and creating moments of calmness and connection for families and individuals.

This is a full‑time, remote contractor role supporting a team on the CET timezone.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

• Ultimate autonomy: Report directly to the founder with the mandate to rebuild the operations function from the ground up
• The Comp & Upside: $130,000 - $140,000 USD base with total compensation up to $200,000+ including performance bonuses tied to operational KPIs (cost reductions, efficiency gains, process reliability
• High-stakes scaling: Play a pivotal role in a business doubling its revenue in real-time
• Career trajectory: This role is designed to evolve into a COO position as the company scales toward 9 figures
• Remote-first culture: Work from anywhere in the world with a team that values output and deep work over back-to-back meetings

WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO

Step in as the operational architect building the elite infrastructure required to scale a category-defining brand into a global powerhouse.

Supply Chain

• Oversee end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain operations, including the qualification and onboarding of new international production partners
• Lead capacity planning and quality control enforcement to ensure the brand meets demand during high-volume periods and peak seasons
• Identify and resolve cost inefficiencies and logistics bottlenecks to ensure consistent product availability and healthy margins

Internal Operations & Inefficiency Removal

• Systematize inter-departmental handoffs between Creative, Marketing, and CS to eliminate redundant workflows and communication gaps with automating workflow with tools like Airtable and n8n
• Implement and maintain reporting structures that provide actionable insights, ensuring all dashboards serve a specific decision-making purpose
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive library of SOPs and internal documentation to ensure business continuity and team autonomy

Strategic Projects & Expansion

• Coordinate the operational requirements for new product launches, ensuring supply chain and logistics are aligned with marketing timelines
• Partner with the product team to operationalize new digital initiatives, including subscription models and community platforms
• Manage the logistical complexities of global expansion, including on-the-ground partner negotiations and international compliance

WHO YOU ARE

• You have 5–10 years in operations, with at least 2–3 years leading operations for a DTC brand doing $15M–$50M+
• You deeply understand unit economics, CAC, LTV, and contribution margin are the lenses through which you make operational decisions
• You have hired, managed, and fired. You’ve led cross-functional teams (CS, Supply Chain, Fulfillment) and built accountability systems that survived without you
• You have successfully navigated the high-pressure chaos of a Q4 peak at a scaling brand
• You are a "green signal" user of Slack, Notion, Google Workspace, and Airtable
• You are an execution-driven fixer, not a "process-first" bureaucrat

Bonus points if you have

• Background managing international supply chains, factories, and global 3PLs
• Familiarity with Shopify and Gorgias (or similar CS platforms)
• You have personally implemented a project management tool, HRIS, or ERP at a scaling company

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• 30 Days: Deliver a comprehensive operational audit identifying the top 5 high-leverage priorities. Formally assume control of daily coordination and establish a rigorous weekly operating rhythm with department heads. Fully own the end-to-end onboarding process to ensure all new hires are high-performing from Day 1
• 60 Days: Standardize and enforce core processes across all departments. Implement a cross-functional coordination system (dashboards/standups) to eliminate silos. Audit and systematize vendor management and deliver the first measurable lift in operational efficiency
• 90 Days: Achieve a 90% reduction in founder involvement for operational decision-making. Launch a live KPI dashboard for real-time performance tracking. Finalize Q4 scaling architecture and provide a strategic roadmap for the next phase of operational hiring