We are hiring!
Are you a Hardware Operations and Supply Chain Manager on a mission? Read here to find out more...
We are looking to expand our team with a Hardware Operations and Supply Chain Manager.
The Role
As Hardware Operations and Supply Chain Manager, you are responsible for all operational activities within OneThird related to our hardware products.
You own the full chain from forecast → production → inventory → shipping → delivery → installation → returns, across all our hardware products.
You act as the central operational owner internally and the primary interface towards production partners and suppliers. You work closely with the leadership team on supplier and production partnerships. Strategic partner management and long-term partnership structuring remain at leadership level, while you own the operational and tactical collaboration (e.g. forecasting, planning, execution, and performance management).
This is a hands-on role, especially in our current scale-up phase: you combine building structure with executing day-to-day operations, unblocking issues, and ensuring things get done. You will directly manage one team member (QA) and play a key role in shaping and scaling the operations team as the company grows. This role is critical for our next phase.
Our ability to scale commercially depends directly on our ability to:
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Deliver reliably
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Manage production and suppliers effectively
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Execute shipping flawlessly across markets
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Maintain quality at scale
You will turn OneThird’s operations into a scalable, controlled system that enables growth.
Responsibilities:
1. End-to-End Operations Ownership
- Own the full operational flow across all products and markets
- Create visibility and control over orders, production, and deliveries
- Align sales forecasts with production capacity and inventory
2. Production, Supply Chain & Supplier Management
- Act as primary operational point of contact for production partners (e.g. Demcon) and suppliers
- Own; demand forecasting, production planning, ordering of materials and components
- Manage day-to-day supplier relationships (components, parts, external services), ensuring strong operational and tactical alignment (forecasting, planning, execution)
- Ensure production schedules match commercial needs
- Optimize cost, lead times, and reliability
3. Inventory & Asset Management
- Own inventory across components, finished products, demo units, and returned devices
- Maintain accurate record-keeping and traceability
- Set up scalable inventory systems and processes
- Balance availability vs. working capital
4. Shipping & Logistics (Hands-on Ownership)
- Own and execute the full shipping process (initially hands-on)
- Coordinate shipments globally (EU and international)
- Prepare and manage:
- Shipping documentation
- Export/import documentation (e.g. HS codes, invoices, customs docs)
- Communication with freight forwarders and carriers
- Align with customers on delivery details and import contacts and requirements
- Ensure compliance with export regulations and company T&Cs
- Continuously improve shipping workflows, templates, and tracking
This responsibility is initially executed by this role, with the opportunity to build and delegate to a logistics function over time
5. Order-to-Delivery Execution
- Own the process from signed deal → shipment → installation → handover
- Coordinate closely with Sales and Customer Success
- Ensure clear communication, timelines, and accountability
- Improve speed, reliability, and customer onboarding experience
6. Quality Assurance & Reverse Logistics Oversight
- Line-manage the QA function, currently consisting of one QA specialist
- Ensure consistent testing, validation, and release processes
- Oversee (via QA) returns, repairs, and reverse logistics
- Translate issues from the field into structural improvements
7. Process Design & Scaling
- Design and implement scalable operational processes
- Build workflows, templates, and tooling (e.g. HubSpot, tracking systems)
- Reduce manual work and increase predictability
8. Data, Analysis & Continuous Improvement
- Use data to improve supply chain and operational performance
- Track key metrics (lead times, failure rates, inventory levels, delivery performance)
- Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements
Qualifications:
- 4–8 years experience in operations, supply chain, or hardware environments
- Experience with production partners, suppliers, and logistics is a strong plus
- Familiarity with international shipping and export processes is a plus
- Strong in structuring processes and managing complexity
- Analytical mindset with ability to translate data into action
Way of working:
- Startup mentality: hands-on, pragmatic, and action-oriented
- Strong ability to get things done and unblock issues quickly
- Comfortable switching between strategy and execution
- Able to manage daily priorities while building for scale
- Willing to wear multiple hats where needed
- High ownership: you take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks
What We Offer:
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- Competitive salary, holiday allowance, and pension plan.
- Employee stock plan and 26 vacation days (based on FT contract).
- Flexible work policy with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- A dynamic, fast-paced work environment where you can make a real impact.
Location
Enschede | Type: Hybrid
Start Date: In consultation
Hours: 32–40 hours/week
About OneThird
Did you know one-third of all food produced globally is wasted? OneThird is an AI-driven agri-tech scale-up on a mission to reduce this food waste. Using near-infrared technology and AI, we enable objective quality measurement of fresh produce across the supply chain.
We are scaling internationally across multiple product lines. This requires operations that are not only well-structured, but also highly execution-driven on a daily basis.
Interested?
We love to hear from you. Contact us via the form below with your motivation and resume or plan for a chat of a coffee to learn more at henrike@onethird.io