Head of Operations

Nombase; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Handhead Man is launching in Chicago, and we need an operations lead to turn an ambitious idea into a daily-running operation.

You'll own the launch plan, coordinate vendors, build scheduling/inventory systems, and recruit the team needed to deliver. This role directly collaborates with the founder to ensure high standards and decisive action through the early stages.

Chicago knowledge and local relationships are a plus, and being hands-on from day one is essential to make the launch count.

Qualifications

• Has launched or run something complex and can describe ownership and outcomes.
• Scrappy and resourceful, able to source what’s missing with limited resources.
• Maintains high standards, good judgment, and attention to detail.
• Clear communicator, keeps stakeholders informed and aligned.

Responsibilities

• Own the Chicago launch plan: priorities, timelines, logistics, and follow-through.
• Find and coordinate vendors, negotiate pricing, and hold people accountable to promises.
• Build systems for scheduling, purchasing, inventory, and daily operations as needed.
• Help recruit, onboard, and coordinate the people needed to deliver.
• Track expenses and decide where to spend or get creative.
• Solve problems quickly and flag issues early with next steps.

Skills

Launch experience

Operations

Vendor management

Problem solving

Job description

We’re launching Handhead Man in Chicago, and we need an excellent operations person to help make it happen.

Someone organized, resourceful, and comfortable building while things are moving. You can see the big picture, catch the small details, and handle the thing nobody thought to put on the list. You take ownership and follow through.

This is a hands‑on role with real responsibility. We need someone who can help turn an ambitious idea into an operation that runs well every day.

What you’ll do

• Own the Chicago launch plan: priorities, timelines, logistics, and follow-through.
• Find and coordinate vendors, negotiate pricing, and hold people accountable to what they promised.
• Build practical systems for scheduling, purchasing, inventory, and daily operations as needed.
• Help recruit, onboard, and coordinate the people we need to deliver.
• Track expenses and make thoughtful decisions about where to spend and where to get creative.
• Solve problems quickly and flag issues early, with a recommendation for what to do next.
• Work directly with the founder to turn decisions into completed work.
• Make sure the experience we deliver matches the standard we’re setting.

Who you are

You’ve helped launch something, run something, or brought order to something complicated. You can tell us what you owned, what went wrong, and how you handled it.

You’re scrappy. You know how to find an answer, get someone on the phone, source what’s missing, and keep things moving with limited resources.

You have high standards and good judgment. You know when to improvise, when to ask a question, and when a detail deserves extra attention.

You communicate clearly. People know what’s happening, who owns it, and what comes next. You’re comfortable doing the unglamorous work that makes everything else possible.

Chicago knowledge and strong local relationships are a plus. Being present and hands‑on for the launch is essential.

Why this role

You’ll help build Handhead Man from the beginning, with direct access to the founder and meaningful influence over how we operate. There’s room to grow as the business grows, and an immediate opportunity to make your work count.