Operations Lead, Research Design & Development

🇺🇸Hybrid - Carson, CA$85K–$120K/yriJust now

K-12 Operations Operations Management Project Management Process Improvement Product Development Cross Functional Leadership

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Role Snapshot

Operations Lead for RD&D who builds the operational backbone for product development teams, creating streamlined processes, data structures, and technology implementations that keep cross-functional work organized and on track. This hands-on role directly impacts the efficiency of educational product development and delivery.

Key Responsibilities: Own and drive multiple cross-functional operational projects simultaneously, including process optimization, project planning, and continuous improvement initiatives. Lead implementation of inspection technology, maintain data structures and KPIs, design training programs, and facilitate working sessions to resolve conflicts and keep teams aligned.

Skills & Tools: Strong project management, process optimization, and data analysis capabilities; proficiency with technology implementation and vendor management. Excellent communication, facilitation, and change management skills with ability to work cross-functionally and translate operational complexity into clear processes.

Qualifications: Typically requires 5-7+ years of operations, product development, or project management experience with demonstrated success building operational systems and leading cross-functional initiatives. Bachelor's degree in operations, business, engineering, or related field preferred.

Location: Hybrid - Carson, CA

Compensation: $85K–$120K/yr (estimated)

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Job Description

Research, Design & Development moves fast — and keeping complex, cross-functional work organized, efficient, and on track takes someone who knows how to turn operational chaos into clear process. As our Operations Lead for RD&D, you'll build the operational backbone that helps our product development teams do their best work: streamlined processes, smart data structures, and the technology and training that keep everyone aligned. It's hands-on, high-impact work that ultimately helps get better educational products into the hands of teachers, kids, and families. This role is hybrid, based in Carson, CA.

A day on the job looks like this:

Own and drive multiple cross-functional operational projects simultaneously — building project plans, tracking accountabilities and timelines, and leading continuous improvement based on results.
Develop and implement the product development operations center of excellence, including the process optimization roadmap, documented process flows, role clarity, communication accountability, and change management plans.
Lead the scoping, onboarding, and scaled implementation of inspection technology across cross-functional teams, partnering closely with the Director to ensure adoption and efficiency gains.
Build and maintain the data structures, KPIs, and reports that give product development stakeholders the visibility they need to make confident decisions and stay ahead of risk.
Design and deliver training and communications for internal teams and external vendor partners; facilitate working sessions that surface and resolve conflict, clarify expectations, and keep work moving.