Head of Reverse Logistics

Tive, Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive equity

Hybrid work options

Autonomy and resources to build

Global team collaboration

Job summary

Tive, Inc. is seeking a Head of Reverse Logistics to own the full lifecycle of returns, refurbishment, and RMA processes for our Boston and Kosovo operations.

You will lead internal teams, manage external partners, and drive KPI-focused improvements across the network. You will partner with Sustaining Engineering, Sales, and Finance to optimize throughput, cost, and inventory while scaling the refurbishment network to meet demand.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in reverse logistics, refurbishment, repair, or manufacturing operations.
• 5+ years leading teams, including across multiple sites.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field required.
• Experience standing up and managing external repair/refurbishment partners.

Responsibilities

• Run the in-house refurbishment operations in Boston and Kosovo.
• Own throughput, yield, turnaround time, cost per unit, and inventory accuracy.
• Grow internal capacity and own capacity planning, including the Boston expansion.
• Lead the strategy for the future-state refurbishment network.
• Stand up external refurbishment partners and manage them as the customer.
• Define partner KPIs and SLAs and hold partners accountable through QBRs.
• Own repair quality, yield, and cost at partner sites.
• Own returns receiving and the returns consolidation model across our 3PL network.
• Own the company RMA process end to end, from policy to execution at the 3PLs.
• Chair the Material Review Board and own rework, work instructions, and SOPs.
• Partner with Sustaining Engineering on failure analysis and corrective action.
• Support NPI alpha and beta programs with rework capacity when required.
• Own recharging of aging inventory across the network.
• Own end-of-life disposal, from DG handling to certified recycling partners.
• Own refurbishment metrics and weekly reporting to the executive team.
• Lead, coach, and grow the refurbishment teams in Boston and Kosovo.

Skills

Reverse logistics

Team leadership

Operations management

Supply chain

Refurbishment

External partner management

MRB / nonconformance

RMA process

Failure analysis

Lithium battery handling

ERP systems (NetSuite)

WEEE / DG knowledge

Data-driven decision making

Communication

Education

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

MBA or Master's degree preferred

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

About this position

At Tive , we imagine a fully-transparent world in which everything and everyone is connected. We innovate beyond what the world thought possible—so what people hold near and dear arrives on time and in full.

We believe (and live!) four core values:

• Transparency First: We make everything visible so that everyone can operate better
• Always strive to make things simpler
• We are One Team, we have each other's backs
• Relentless iteration to optimize and improve

Whether shipped by road, rail, ocean, or air, Tive reduces shipment delays, minimizes rejected loads, and decreases theft, damage, and spoilage. Our customers count on Tive to ensure that their shipments are delivered on time and in full—because every shipment matters.

As the Head of Reverse Logistics, you own everything that happens to a Tive tracker after it ships. Returns, receiving, refurbishment, rework, material review, disposal, and the company RMA process all sit with you. Tive ships millions of trackers a year, and a growing share come back to be refurbished and put back into service through our Green Program. Today that work is done in-house by our own teams in Boston and Kosovo. You lead those operations, and you design how the network scales from here, growing what we do in-house and adding external partner capacity so refurbishment stays ahead of demand.

This is a builder's role. You will run the floor, own the metrics, and grow an operation that supports a business scaling more than 50% year over year. You will make the in-house operation faster and more efficient, and in parallel you will stand up and manage external repair and refurbishment partners as the customer, with the KPIs, SLAs, and QBRs to hold them to it. You will work with Sustaining Engineering to turn field failures into product improvements and give our alpha and beta programs the rework support they need. You will work with Sales, Customer Success, and Finance to run a disciplined RMA process. We want a leader who can present a network plan to our CEO in the morning and be on the floor in the afternoon, clearing the constraint holding back the day's output. You fill gaps, you move fast, and you make things simpler.

Our ideal candidate has:

• 10+ years in reverse logistics, refurbishment, repair, or manufacturing operations.
• 5+ years leading teams, including teams across multiple sites.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field required.
• MBA or Master's degree preferred.
• Proven success scaling a high-volume returns or refurbishment operation.
• Track record finding and clearing constraints from receipt to stock.
• Experience standing up and managing external repair or refurbishment partners.
• Experience defining partner KPIs and SLAs and running QBRs.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, or an equivalent lean manufacturing track record.
• Experience running MRB, nonconformance, and disposition processes.
• Experience building or running an RMA or warranty process.
• Experience refurbishing or repairing electronics or battery-powered hardware.
• Working knowledge of lithium battery handling and Dangerous Goods (DG) regulations.
• Working knowledge of e-waste and WEEE requirements.
• Works directly with engineers on failure analysis and corrective action.
• Hands-on leader and doer who fills gaps.
• Strong communicator who leads cross-functional projects.
• Data-driven, detail-oriented, and process-focused.
• Professional experience with ERP systems (NetSuite strongly preferred).
• Willing to travel.

What you'll be doing:

• Run the in-house refurbishment operations in Boston and Kosovo
• Own throughput, yield, turnaround time, cost per unit, and inventory accuracy
• Grow internal capacity and own capacity planning, including the Boston expansion
• Lead the strategy for the future-state refurbishment network
• Stand up external refurbishment partners and manage them as the customer
• Define partner KPIs and SLAs and hold partners accountable through QBRs
• Own repair quality, yield, and cost at partner sites
• Own returns receiving and the returns consolidation model across our 3PL network
• Own the company RMA process end to end, from policy to execution at the 3PLs
• Chair the Material Review Board and own rework, work instructions, and SOPs
• Partner with Sustaining Engineering on failure analysis and corrective action
• Support NPI alpha and beta programs with rework capacity when required
• Own recharging of aging inventory across the network
• Own end-of-life disposal, from DG handling to certified recycling partners
• Own refurbishment metrics and weekly reporting to the executive team
• Lead, coach, and grow the refurbishment teams in Boston and Kosovo

Compensation:

The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, education, and skill set.

What does Tive offer?

• A chance to join what may very well turn out to be the most important company in your career.
• The autonomy and resources to build what you know how to build.
• Work with a committed global team that have each others back.
• Office-based or hybrid options. Your choice.
• Competitive equity to ensure all of our employees have a sense of ownership in the long-term success of Tive's growth.

We celebrate diversity, and consider it key to our success as both a team and a company. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment of mutual respect for all employees.