Director, Hardware Operations

Object First; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits (medical, dental, vision from day one)

401(k)

Paid annual leave & unlimited flexible PTO

Flexible, remote-friendly work setup

Growth and development opportunities

Modern equipment provided

Growth and development opportunities

Job summary

A tech company specializing in secure backup solutions is seeking a Senior Director of Hardware Operations. This leadership role involves managing global operations and demand planning for hardware. Candidates should have over 5 years of relevant experience, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage cross-functional communication effectively. The position supports a professional growth environment with competitive benefits and a flexible work setup.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain roles with significant hardware experience.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at senior levels.
• Strong understanding of hardware lifecycle process.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at senior levels.
• Analytical skills and forecasting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead global operations team and manage end-to-end hardware operations.
• Collaborate with product, sales, finance, and channel teams to align priorities.
• Manage inventory levels for cost efficiency and operational agility.
• Manage inventory levels balancing customer demand, cost, and agility.
• Oversee product lifecycle, NPIs, transitions, and EOL planning.
• Drive continuous improvements in supply chain, distribution, and processes.

Skills

Demand planning

Forecasting

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Inventory management

Lifecycle management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

Object First, now an independent business unit of Veeam, builds secure, simple, and powerful backup storage for Veeam customers, engineered with Absolute Immutability to deliver true ransomware-proof protection. Our Zero Access architecture ensures no one can alter or delete backup data, providing cyber resilience by design. We are a fast-growing team driven by innovation, clarity, and meaningful impact.

Are you looking for a role where you can make a real impact by working with meaningful, high-performance technology? Join a fast-growing, innovative-driven team where clarity, ownership, and collaboration truly matter.

Position Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Director of Hardware Operations with a strong background in demand planning to lead our global operations team. This role is responsible for end-to-end hardware operations, including inventory management, fulfillment, cost of goods (COGS) optimization, demand planning, distribution, and channel partner statusing. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence, ensure supply chain reliability, and enable our organization and partners to deliver consistently to customers.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing global operation Team
• Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and development plans for the team

Executive Communication

• Present demand outlooks, risks, and mitigation strategies to senior leadership
• Clearly communicate assumptions, gaps, and trade-offs impacting supply, revenue, and customer commitments

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, sales, finance, and channel teams to align operational priorities with business goals
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to incorporate pipeline, promotions, product launches, and lifecycle changes into forecasts
• Align closely with Finance on revenue forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis

Hardware Lifecycle

• Own end-to-end demand planning processes, translating forecasts into actionable operational plans
• Own relationship with Integrator and Hardware Vendors to ensure demand plans are executable
• Lead effort to drive forecast accuracy improvements at product and GEO levels
• Manage inventory levels to balance customer demand, cost efficiency, and operational agility
• Oversee product lifecycle, new product introductions (NPIs), transitions, and end-of-life (EOL) planning

Optimization

• Enhance workflow to provide transparent, accurate reporting to internal and external partners regarding order status, inventory availability, and distribution timelines
• Oversee fulfillment operations to ensure timely and accurate delivery across global markets
• Optimize COGS while maintaining quality and operational effectiveness
• Implement best practices and continuous improvements in supply chain, distribution, and operational processes

Qualifications

Required

• Relevant work experience or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain roles, with significant hardware experience
• 3+ years of people leadership experience
• Strong understanding of hardware lifecycle process
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders at senior levels
• Analytical skills and experience with forecasting

Preferred

• Experience in server hardware, or complex manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with global supply chains and multi-channel demand models
• Strategic thinking and executive presence
• Change leadership and continuous improvement mindset
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to balance accuracy, speed, and flexibility in dynamic environments

Why Join Object First

• Competitive benefits (medical, dental, vision from day one, 401(k))
• Paid annual leave & unlimited flexible PTO
• Flexible, remote-friendly work setup
• Modern equipment provided
• Growth and development opportunities

Equal Opportunity & Data Privacy

Object First is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage diversity in our teams and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. By applying for this position, you consent to the processing of your personal data for recruitment purposes, in accordance with applicable data protection laws and Object First's privacy practices. All candidate information will be treated with strict confidentiality throughout the process.

Make an Impact with Us

If you're looking to make a real impact and grow alongside a company that builds secure, simple, and powerful technology, Object First is the place for you. Join us and take your career to the next level.