Hybrid / Remote (U.S.) | Full-Time

About VELA

VELA is more than a brand — we’re a movement built on representation, culture, and community. From our signature scarves to new apparel, every piece is designed with care to celebrate individuality and empower women everywhere.

About the Role

We’re hiring a strategic Operations & Supply Chain leader to own VELA’s end-to-end product flow — from manufacturing to global delivery.

You’ll manage the full supply chain pipeline: vendor and factory coordination, production timelines, freight, 3PLs, inventory flow, and warehouse operations. You’ll also build the operational foundation for VELA’s global expansion into markets like Canada, the UK, and EU— ensuring logistics, duties, and fulfillment are optimized and scalable.

You’ll also oversee quality control and vendor accountability — making sure product quality, construction, finishing, and timelines meet VELA standards.

This is a full-time, high-impact role for someone who can build systems, improve margins, and scale operations — not just maintain them.

• Reduce freight, shipping, and 3PL costs through contract negotiation and vendor analysis.

• Optimize tariffs, duties, and import/export processes across U.S., Canada, EU, UK, and GCC markets.

• Track cost-per-order, fulfillment cost %, landed cost, and shipping profitability.

• Oversee inventory pipeline, capacity planning, and production alignment with design & finance.

• Evaluate current vendors and onboard new manufacturers to support growth and demand.

• Build vendor scorecards and lead quarterly performance reviews (QBRs).

• Oversee product quality control by working with factories, reviewing samples, addressing defects, and holding vendors accountable for quality standards and rework when necessary.

• Lead 3PL transition and integration (domestic and international).

• Monitor performance: accuracy, dispatch speed, return handling, SLAs.

• Stress-test 3PL readiness ahead of launches (Eid, BFCM, seasonal drops).

• Launch and scale operational readiness for new markets (shipping, duties, compliance, returns).

• Implement localized logistics (currency, payment, customs automation).

• Build P&L and operational model for each new region.

• Audit and optimize NetSuite/ERP, Shopify, and inventory workflows.

• Identify and implement automation to reduce manual tasks and improve data accuracy.

• Build dashboards for key metrics: inventory accuracy, lead times, COGS, fulfillment cost.

• Work closely with Ops Manager and the E-commerce Manager.

• Establish operational OKRs, weekly leadership huddles, and performance reporting.

• Build and maintain SOPs across fulfillment, inventory, returns, CS, and vendor management.

• Support headcount planning as the brand scales.

• 5+ years in Operations or Supply Chain at a DTC/Fashion/Apparel brand
• Experience managing 3PLs, freight, import/export logistics
• Strong in ERP/WMS/shopify operations and workflow automation
• Analytical + operational — you build dashboards, models, and process maps
• Thrive in founder-led, fast-growing environments where structure is evolving
• Passionate about scaling mission-driven brands sustainably
  

• 5+ years in Operations, Supply Chain, or Production for a DTC fashion, apparel, or consumer product brand

• Hands-on experience working with factories, fabric suppliers, trims, production timelines, and MOQs

• Proven ability to manage or transition 3PLs, freight forwarders, and international logistics

• Familiarity with import/export compliance, duties, tariffs, and global shipping (Canada, EU, UK,)

• Comfortable inside systems like NetSuite (ERP), Shopify, or similar platforms

• Can troubleshoot SKU issues, PO mismatches, inventory discrepancies yourself — not just delegate

• Able to build or improve SOPs, workflow automations, dashboards, and forecasting tools

• Not just strategic — you’re willing to get in the weeds, audit data, chase suppliers, review packing lists, or solve a delayed shipment

• Obsessed with accuracy (inventory, data, POs, costs, timelines)

• Able to work in a fast-moving, founder-led brand where processes are evolving

• Strong communicator — able to align warehouse, design, finance, and marketing seamlessly

• Problem-solver with follow-through — you don’t just identify issues; you fix them and prevent them from happening again