Director of Logistics & Operations Manager

About Vale

At Vale, our mission is to Make Magic by bringing the real benefits of matcha to one billion people. We're building the world's most advanced matcha company through premium Japanese tea, world-class hospitality, automation, and technology. From our Matcha Bars and cafés to self-serve machines and at-home products, every experience is designed to make matcha more accessible, more consistent, and more magical. We're a fast-growing Seattle startup filled with builders from companies spanning robotics, aerospace, consumer electronics, software, and food service who thrive on solving hard problems and creating something that has never existed before.

About You

You love operations. You get energy from building systems, solving complex problems, and leading teams that consistently deliver exceptional results. You've likely experienced both a large company, where you learned operational excellence, and a startup, where you learned to move quickly, wear multiple hats, and build from scratch. You don't just manage operations—you build organizations that scale. You're equally comfortable improving warehouse workflows, optimizing logistics, implementing new systems, coaching frontline leaders, and jumping in wherever needed to ensure the mission succeeds.

The Role

As Logistics & Operations Manager, you will build the operational engine that powers Vale's growth. You'll lead logistics, inventory, fulfillment, procurement, warehouse operations, ERP implementation, and daily field execution across our Matcha Bars, at-home e-commerce business, wholesale customers, and automated machine deployments. You'll develop the systems, processes, and teams that enable Vale to scale rapidly while delivering an exceptional customer experience every day.

What You'll Do

Lead all logistics and warehouse operations, including inventory management, procurement, international sourcing from Japan, e-commerce fulfillment, wholesale distribution, and deployment of Matcha Bars across Seattle. Implement and optimize Katana ERP, develop scalable operating procedures and dashboards, improve forecasting and inventory accuracy, optimize routing and labor efficiency, and continuously eliminate operational bottlenecks. Hire, coach, and develop a high-performing operations team while creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

5+ years leading logistics, supply chain, or operations in a fast-paced environment, with experience building systems that scale. Experience at both a large company and a startup is strongly preferred. You have led warehouse or fulfillment operations, managed inventory and procurement, implemented ERP systems, and enjoy using data to improve operational performance. Experience in food, beverage, consumer products, or manufacturing is a plus, as is familiarity with international sourcing, route optimization, Lean principles, or continuous improvement methodologies.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first year, you'll have built a best-in-class operations organization that consistently delivers outstanding execution across Matcha Bars, wholesale, e-commerce, and machine deployments. You'll implement a scalable ERP system, achieve industry-leading inventory accuracy, streamline logistics and fulfillment, develop future operations leaders, and build the operational foundation that enables Vale to expand rapidly throughout Seattle and beyond.

Benefits

Competitive salary, annual bonus, equity ownership, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-funded ORCA pass, and the opportunity to help build one of the world's most innovative food and beverage companies from the ground up.