Head of Operations

Head of Operations

At Ugaoo, we've always believed plants are more than décor — they're companions, healers, and reminders of what truly matters. What began as a small idea sparked by a plant on a windowsill has grown into India's No. 1 gardening brand, backed by marquee investors like DSG Consumer Partners and V3 Ventures. From our 25-acre farm in Talegaon to a thriving D2C store and retail presence across Pune, Mumbai, and Bangalore — we're building an ecosystem that brings nature closer to homes, offices, and communities.

We're now looking for a Head of Operations who can turn this vision into an operational reality. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and innovation, leading the backbone of our business — the supply chain.

As the Head of Operations, you'll drive efficiency, scalability, and excellence across procurement, planning, warehousing, logistics, and fulfillment. You'll be the architect behind how we move products — from farms to homes and gardens across India — ensuring every plant and product reaches our customers in perfect condition, on time, every time.

We're looking for a dynamic leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments, is deeply data-driven, and brings a hands-on approach to problem-solving. If you love building systems from the ground up, optimizing processes, and leading people with purpose, this is your chance to shape the future of how Ugaoo delivers joy — sustainably and seamlessly.

Ugaoo has its mother hub in Pune and child hubs in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon. This role will be based out of the mother hub in Talegaon, Pune, reporting directly to the Founder.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Define and execute the overall operations & supply chain strategy aligned with the company's growth objectives.
• Build and scale systems, processes, and infrastructure to support a rapidly growing omnichannel business.

Supply Chain & Procurement:

• Oversee end-to-end supply chain functions — procurement, vendor management, inventory, inbound/outbound logistics, and order fulfillment.
• Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships ensuring quality, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Drive demand and supply planning, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimal wastage.

Warehousing & Distribution:

• Lead multi-hub warehousing operations, focusing on capacity planning, automation, and accuracy.
• Optimize distribution networks for speed, service, and cost across D2C, retail, corporate gifting and marketplace channels.
• Ensure on-time deliveries with high order accuracy and customer satisfaction.

Process Excellence & Technology:

• Implement process improvements and automation initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce turnaround time.
• Leverage data analytics to track KPIs, forecast demand, and identify bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with tech teams to integrate SCM and ERP systems for real-time visibility and decision-making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with Marketing, Category, Finance, NPD, Sales and Customer Delight teams to ensure operational agility.
• Support product development and new launches with effective supply chain planning and execution.

Team Leadership:

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing operations team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key Skills & Experience:

• 8-10 years of experience in Supply Chain, Operations, and Logistics, preferably within a D2C, FMCG, or E-commerce environment.
• Deep understanding of procurement, planning, warehousing, logistics, inventory, and fulfillment operations.
• Proven ability to scale operations in a fast-paced, high-growth setup.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/SCM tools and automation systems.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

Education:

• MBA in Operations / Supply Chain / Logistics Management from a reputed institute preferred.
• Engineering background would be an added advantage.

What You'll Bring:

• A strategic mindset with a bias for action.
• The ability to build processes without losing agility.
• Passion for operational excellence and sustainability.
• Strong people leadership and cross-functional collaboration abilities.