Business Operations Manager

Observable Space • Los Angeles, CA

7d • $100,000 - $130,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Observable Space is seeking a Business Operations Manager to establish the planning, measurement, and operational systems necessary for the company's growth. This role will focus on creating metrics, planning processes, and systems infrastructure to provide leadership with operational visibility and support informed decision-making. The position is hands-on and reports to the VP of Operations, collaborating with various departments including Manufacturing, Sourcing, Sales, Managed Services, and Finance to align planning, introduce quantitative rigor, and develop operational capabilities for future growth.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in business operations, manufacturing, strategy, consulting or a related analytical role, ideally supporting a hardware/manufacturing environment, with experience partnering with or influencing senior stakeholders
• Strong quantitative skills — comfortable building models, dashboards, and metrics from messy or incomplete data
• Track record of building measurement systems, planning processes, or operational infrastructure from scratch
• Comfortable moving between hands-on operational problem solving and strategic, data-driven analysis
• Strong Excel/Sheets skills; SQL or other data tooling a plus
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders without direct authority

Nice To Haves

• Experience with an ERP/MRP system (Global Shop Solutions, NetSuite, or similar) is a plus
• Experience in precision optics, aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated/technical manufacturing environment is a plus
• Lean/Six Sigma or formal continuous improvement training is a plus

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the company's core operational metrics and reporting (e.g., throughput, yield, cycle time, WIP, on-time delivery, labor productivity, inventory health, and cost per unit)
• Build dashboards and executive reporting that provide visibility into operational performance and support data-driven decision making
• Drive continuous improvement efforts by identifying bottlenecks, supporting root-cause analyses, and measuring the impact of operational changes over time
• Evaluate major capital investments and equipment purchases through financial and operational business cases
• Conduct ad hoc quantitative analyses across the business, including pricing and cost analyses, market assessments, and other strategic initiatives
• Build and maintain forecasting and capacity planning processes across manufacturing and operations
• Develop long-range operational plans that balance demand, manufacturing capacity, inventory, and resource constraints
• Support site, facility, and manufacturing footprint expansion, evaluating cost, capacity, timeline, and risk tradeoffs
• Help shape our long-term operations systems roadmap, including ERP, reporting, and planning capabilities
• Maximize the value of Global Shop Solutions (GSS) while identifying opportunities to improve reporting, forecasting, and operational workflows
• Develop interim reporting and planning solutions where existing systems fall short
• Evaluate build-versus-buy tradeoffs and recommend pragmatic, scalable systems that support long-term growth
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Sourcing & Logistics, Sales, Managed Services, Finance, and Engineering to keep priorities, commitments, and execution aligned across the business
• Support high-impact cross-functional operational initiatives with structured analysis and decision support
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to operational leaders, supporting high-impact cross-functional initiatives and decisions with structured analysis

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation – A salary package aligned with industry standards and your experience.
• Equity Opportunities – Take part in our success with stock options.
• Flexible Work Environment – Enjoy working from our office or in a hybrid work setup with the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. We require a minimum of 3 days per week in our office to support collaboration and team culture. (LA Office only)
• Unlimited PTO (exempt only) – Take the time you need with our flexible, trust-based vacation policy, including paid holidays. We encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves.
• Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer for employees.
• Cutting-Edge Tools – Get access to the latest hardware and software you need to do your best work.
• Mission-Driven Culture – Be part of a team working on meaningful challenges with real-world impact.
• Inclusive Team – We foster a supportive and diverse workplace where all voices are valued.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed