Senior Operations Transformation Project Manager

Collectors • Santa Ana, CA

3d • $157,000 - $185,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Collectors is seeking a Senior Operations Transformation Project Manager to redesign and scale its operations as the company increases volume, adds sites, and introduces new technology. The role leads strategic operational initiatives from concept and design through launch and stable run-state. Examples include creating new processes and workflows, integrating automation and AI-assisted capabilities into production, implementing or migrating core operating systems such as ERP, WMS, and grading platforms, and redesigning how work flows across departments.

The position translates executive priorities into operational reality by defining future-state operating models, designing processes, creating implementation plans, and leading cross-functional launches. It is accountable for launching operations that meet target performance and are owned by Operations from day one. The role reports to the Director, Continuous Improvement and is based onsite at Collectors’ Santa Ana, California headquarters five days per week. Domestic and international travel is required, stated as up to 30% in the role overview and up to 25–30% in the qualifications.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in operations, operations strategy, or transformation roles.
• At least 3 years of experience leading teams and cross-functional programs.
• Proven track record designing and launching processes, operating models, or sites in high-volume operations such as fulfillment, logistics, processing, or manufacturing.
• Experience leading operational readiness for technology or automation deployments and system migrations, including hands-on user acceptance testing and cutover.
• Strong business case and financial modeling skills capable of withstanding CFO-level scrutiny.
• Excellent structured problem-solving and executive communication skills, including the ability to drive decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Willingness to travel up to 25–30%; the role overview specifies up to 30% domestic and international travel.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must work onsite at the Santa Ana headquarters five days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Management consulting background in operations or strategy, combined with in-house operating experience.
• Experience with multi-site or international launches.
• Familiarity with Lean principles as an input to designing efficient, well-controlled processes.
• Background in high-mix, high-value, or authentication-sensitive operations.
• PMP or equivalent program management credential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of high-priority operational initiatives sponsored by the COO and senior leadership, including site and capability launches, network expansion, technology-enabled process changes, and cross-department workflow redesign.
• Translate strategic goals into initiative charters defining scope, business case, success metrics, milestones, and decision rights.
• Shape the transformation roadmap with Operations, Finance, and Product & Technology, sequencing initiatives based on capacity, risk, and return.
• Design end-to-end future-state processes and operating models, including workflows, layout and flow, roles and staffing models, handoffs, system touchpoints, controls, and performance metrics.
• Lead operational readiness for technology and automation deployments, coordinating processes, people, and tools for launch.
• Own implementation from pilot through full rollout, including pilot design, go/no-go criteria, cutover planning, hypercare, and transition to steady state.
• Coordinate cross-functional launch teams across Operations, Product & Technology, Facilities, Procurement, HR/Talent, Learning, and Quality.
• Partner with Learning to develop SOPs and training that prepare frontline teams and supervisors before go-live.
• Identify and resolve launch risks early, escalating trade-offs with clear options and recommendations.
• Serve as the system super user, lead user acceptance testing, validate functionality, and drive implementation and adoption of process and system enhancements.
• Build and validate business cases with Finance covering capacity, throughput, labor, turnaround time, quality, and cost.
• Track post-launch value realization against the original business case and report progress through executive scorecards and steering committee forums.
• Conduct structured post-launch reviews and incorporate lessons into future initiative designs.
• Act as the accountable owner for assigned initiatives and present status, risks, and decisions to C-suite and steering committee audiences.
• Lead change management for large-scale operational shifts, including communication plans, stakeholder alignment, and adoption tracking.
• Partner with the PMO on governance, resourcing, and portfolio visibility, and with Continuous Improvement on process flows and standards.
• Hire, develop, and coach a team of transformation program leads in process design, launch execution, and executive communication.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Fertility, commuter, and educational assistance benefits for full-time employees.
• 401(k) matching plan.
• Flexible time off for salaried employees.
• Ten company-paid holidays for regular, full-time employees.
• Discounts on select grading services for approved submissions.
• Some teams offer flexible schedules with varying shifts and will work with employees to accommodate their needs.
• Employee celebrations, holiday events, and team-building activities.

What This Job Offers

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