Director of Operations

To apply, email jobs@ripton.co with your resume, some words about yourself, and the subject header "Director of Operations"

Location: Boulder, CO
Type: Full-time, in-office
Compensation: $110,000–$150,000
Reports to: General Manager

About Ripton

Ripton is a fast-growing performance denim brand based in Boulder, Colorado. We build technical, durable denim with outdoor utility, grit, and style — and we do it with a small, resourceful team that values ownership, adaptability, and doing things the right way instead of the easy way.

We’re entering a critical scale-up phase and are looking for a Director of Operations to help professionalize, optimize, and lead our operational engine while staying true to our mission and values.

The Role

The Director of Operations owns the systems, strategy, and execution that keep Ripton running. This role leads our supply chain, inventory planning, and fulfillment operations while building the structure needed to scale responsibly. You’ll partner closely with the GM on factory and sourcing relationships, and manage a growing team across warehouse, customer service, and demand planning.

This is a leadership role for someone who is highly analytical, deeply experienced in apparel or footwear operations, and comfortable rolling up their sleeves in a founder-led startup environment. This is a hybrid player-coach role in a start-up environment where you are expected to perform hands-on work as well as manage and mentor a team. If you are hungry for input, ownership, and impact, this is the place for you.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Ripton’s supply chain, sourcing, and operational planning strategy

  • Own inventory optimization and demand planning — including hiring and onboarding a dedicated demand planner or inventory manager

  • Manage and mentor the operations team, including warehouse management, customer service, and demand planning

  • Oversee inbound and outbound logistics, production timelines, and delivery execution

  • Own and optimize Ripton’s inventory management system (Finale Inventory), ensuring clean data and actionable reporting

  • Build and refine operational processes that support growth while protecting cash flow, margin, and service levels

  • Align operational execution with Ripton’s brand values and long-term business goals

  • Partner cross-functionally with marketing, product, and leadership to support launches and seasonal planning

  • Establish KPIs and reporting across operations to drive accountability and continuous improvement

  • Plan and prepare for scaling operations in the future ranging from a Canadian 3PL, to distributor relationships in other countries.

Experience & Skills

  • 5-10+ years of operations experience in apparel or footwear, ideally within the active, lifestyle, or outdoor category

  • Deep understanding of apparel or footwear supply chain, inventory planning, and both DTC and B2B fulfillment operations

  • Proven people manager with experience leading warehouse and customer-facing teams

  • Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into operational decisions

  • Experience working with inventory management systems; Finale Inventory experience is a plus

  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, in-office startup environment

To apply, email jobs@ripton.co with your resume, some words about yourself, and the subject header "Director of Operations"