Job: Business Operations Manager (Arts & Crafts)

Company Description

Our client is a Boston-area designer, manufacturer and distributor within a specialized segment of the premium arts and crafts market. The business has more than 20 years of operating history and strong brand recognition among end users. Its products are positioned at the premium end of the category and primarily serve a traditionally female customer base. The company has a consistent track record of introducing new products and operates with a relatively small, hands-on team across fulfillment, printing/production, design, marketing and customer support.

Objective of the Role

Our client is seeking a Business Operations Manager to work closely with the General Manager and support the day-to-day coordination, analysis and continuous improvement of the business.

This broad, cross-functional role will help strengthen operational execution, improve management visibility and support better decision-making across the organization.

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate is a versatile business generalist who combines strong analytical skills with a practical, hands-on approach. This individual should be comfortable moving between data analysis, operational problem solving, internal coordination and project-based work.

The successful candidate will be collaborative, curious, proactive and comfortable operating in a small business environment with changing priorities. Strong communication skills, sound judgment and a desire to grow into broader responsibilities over time are important.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a day-to-day operational point of contact between the General Manager, executive leadership and approximately 30 employees across shipping, fulfillment, printing and customer support.
• Help maintain an effective workflow rhythm, resolve day-to-day operational issues and ensure information moves efficiently between leadership and the broader team.
• Analyze costs, margins, volumes and other business metrics across products and business segments to support decisions related to purchasing, hiring, capital expenditures and allocation of resources.
• Build and maintain Excel-based analyses and reporting that improve management visibility and support data-informed decision-making.
• Support the coordination of sourcing, purchasing and inventory management across a complex, several-thousand-SKU multi-national supply chain.
• Continuously review and improve internal processes and tools related to order fulfillment, business reporting, internal communication and other operational activities.
• Participate in project-based systems improvements, including the implementation and ongoing optimization of business software and third-party tools.
• Help bring greater structure, measurement and follow-through to marketing and go-to-market processes, including ongoing website-related workflow improvements.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, operating performance and potential areas for business expansion.

Requirements

• Relevant professional experience in business operations or another analytical, cross-functional business role.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and demonstrated comfort working with business and operational data.
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Clear and effective communication skills with the ability to work across different levels and functions.
• Collaborative, curious and proactive working style.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business needs.
• Hands-on mentality and willingness to address both analytical and practical operational issues.
• Interest in the arts and crafts category or a related product-driven environment is beneficial.
• Ability and desire to develop into broader management responsibilities over time.
• Willingness to work on-site in the Boston area.