SR. MANAGER, RETAIL CHANNEL MANAGEMENT (STARLINK CONSUMER)
As the Sr. Manager of Retail Channel Management, known internally as Sr. Manager, Starlink Business Operations, you will lead global retail channel operations for the Starlink Consumer Business. You will sit in the central Consumer Growth support organization and bring the retail channel managers across every region into one operating team with shared processes, tools, and standards. You own how retail demand becomes product on the shelf: order intake and processing, inventory allocation, kit and accessory readiness, and launch support for new retail doors.
You are the connective tissue between the regional growth teams that own retailer and distributor relationships and the Starlink functions that build, plan, and ship hardware (supply chain, demand planning, S&OP, logistics, production, compliance, and finance). In a fast-paced environment, you make sure retailer demand turns into accurate forecasts, the right kits and accessories arrive at distributor and retailer warehouses on time and retail ready, and issues are found and closed before they leave shelves empty.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead global retail channel operations for Starlink Consumer and set the operating standard for how retail and distribution partners are supported worldwide
- Lead the global retail channel management team, including senior managers and retail operations leads, and consolidate retail channel team members across regions into one global team; define roles, coverage, and operating cadence; and direct the retail operations staff embedded in the regional growth organizations
- Own the retail order lifecycle from purchase order to delivery: PO intake, order entry, allocation, fulfillment, shipment tracking, and receiving issues; standardize distributor and retailer order templates and drive automation wherever it removes manual work
- Support new retail door openings and expansions, including launch checklists, initial load-in orders, inventory positioning, merchandising and fixture readiness, in-store activation setup, and handoffs to regional teams
- Own retail inputs into demand planning and S&OP: consolidate distributor and retailer forecasts for kits and accessories by region, reconcile them against sell-in, sell-through, and inventory, and represent retail demand in production and supply planning reviews
- Partner with supply chain, logistics, and regional distribution center (RDC) teams to balance retail and online inventory, prioritize retail orders, and keep weeks of supply, backorders, and aged orders inside plan
- Hold the retail-readiness standard for every product shipped to retail: correct part numbers and product mapping, UPC and barcode quality, regulatory certification marks, packaging, and pallet integrity; partner with production and compliance to catch issues before kits leave the factory or RDC
- Build and run the retail channel operating cadence and reporting: order status, fill rate, on-time delivery, inventory by retailer and RDC, sell-through, activation rates, and open issues, each with a clear owner and date
- Track production, inventory, and logistics issues that affect retail, and lead cross-functional resolution, including relabeling, returns, replacement shipments, and retailer communication
- Partner with product, engineering, and platform teams on retail tooling, including in-store activation and affiliate ordering APIs, retail kit tracking, and retailer system integrations
- Represent retail channel requirements to Hawthorne, Bastrop, and other SpaceX sites, and represent global constraints back to the regional teams so decisions are executable
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, operations, engineering, or a related analytical field
- 8+ years of experience in retail channel operations, supply chain, demand planning, sales operations, or consumer products operations
- 5+ years of experience leading teams, including managing managers
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 10+ years of experience in consumer electronics or consumer hardware sold through national retailers and distributors
- Experience leading distributed teams across multiple regions and time zones, including teams embedded in other organizations
- Experience running retailer and distributor order flow: PO processing, EDI, vendor compliance, retail-ready packaging and labeling standards, returns, and chargebacks
- Experience with S&OP and demand planning, including building channel forecasts and reconciling sell-in, sell-through, and inventory
- Experience launching new retail partners and rolling out programs across hundreds or thousands of doors
- Working knowledge of international logistics: import and customs, distribution center operations, and distributor warehousing
- Familiarity with product compliance, certification, and labeling requirements across international markets
- Expertise in data analytics, forecasting, and performance management (Excel required; SQL, Power BI, or similar tools strongly preferred)
- Track record of building processes and tools from the ground up and holding the line on operational commitments
- Familiarity with consumer hardware plus subscription service models, including in-store activation
- Leadership experience in fast-paced, startup-like cultures with a focus on cross-functional coordination and high standards
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to travel 50%+ of the time, domestically and internationally, as needed
- Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed, including coverage across global time zones