Product Operations Manager

Kodiak
Lancaster, US
On-siteVisa sponsorshipCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level operations specialists with technical aptitude who thrive in collaborative, operationally-intensive environments in Lancaster, TX.

Best fit for

  • Technical program managers who bridge product and field operations
    — “bridges the gap between our Product/Engineering teams and our Operations/Field teams
  • Process optimizers comfortable with rapid changes in autonomy tech
    — “operate in spaces that are not yet well defined and are subject to rapid and unexpected changes
  • Data-driven communicators who translate operational needs into product requirements
    — “translating operational needs into actionable product and engineering requirements

Things to consider

  • Full-time in-office requirement in Lancaster with no remote flexibility mentioned
    — “Must be willing to work full-time in the Lancaster, TX office
  • Potential export license or citizenship requirements for sensitive roles
    — “roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny

How to stand out

  • Demonstrate concrete examples of scaling processes in operational tech environments
    — “design, document, and stand up processes that support operational scalability
  • Highlight experience with autonomy, mobility, or logistics as a differentiator
    — “Additional experience in the following areas is also a plus: Autonomy, mobility, supply chain, or logistics
  • Showcase generative AI tool proficiency in operational workflows
    — “Adeptness in leveraging generative AI tools to streamline workflows
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • optimized operational processes
  • enhanced product deployment
  • improved operational workflows
  • effective stakeholder communication
Typical background
3+ years of experience in product operations or technical program managementhighly analytical with a proven ability to use dataoutstanding people and communication skills

Skills & requirements

Required

Product-operationsProcess-designFeedback-loop-managementFeature-deploymentCross-functional-collaborationOperational-excellencePerformance-monitoringStakeholder-communicationData-driven-decision-makingAdaptability

Preferred

Operations-researchIndustrial-engineeringProcess-optimizationAutonomyMobilitySupply-chainLogisticsAi-tools-for-operations

Stack & domain

Process Design And ScalabilityFeedback Loop ManagementFeature Deployment And ValidationOperational ExcellencePerformance MonitoringStakeholder CommunicationOutstanding People And Communication SkillsExceptional Attention To DetailAutonomous Vehicle TechnologyProduct Operations

About the role

Original posting from Kodiak via Greenhouse

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2018 and has become a leader in autonomous ground transportation committed to a safer and more efficient future for all. The company has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) powered technology stack purpose-built for commercial trucking and the public sector. The company delivers freight daily for its customers across the southern United States using its autonomous technology. In 2024, Kodiak became the first known company to publicly announce delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer. Kodiak is also leveraging its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Product Operations Specialist to join our team in Lancaster, TX. This role bridges the gap between our Product/Engineering teams and our Operations/Field teams. You will own optimizing, and developing mechanisms that enable product operations to scale our operational footprint. This role is based full-time in our Lancaster office.

In this role, you will:

Process Design and Scalability: Partner closely with Program, Engineering, and Ops to design, document, and stand up processes that support operational scalability for our autonomous vehicle technology.

Feedback Loop Management: Own the feedback loop between Field Ops and Product & Engineering, translating operational needs into actionable product and engineering requirements.

Feature Deployment & Validation: Work with cross-functional teams to rapidly test, validate, and deploy new product features in an operationally-intensive environment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a liaison between Product, Engineering, Field Operations, and other teams to ensure alignment and smooth feature adoption.

Operational Excellence: Focus on driving attention to detail and timeliness in product deployment and operational workflows.

Performance Monitoring: Define operational KPIs and monitor product performance in the field, communicating insights and risks to stakeholders.

Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear, data-driven updates on product-related operational progress, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership and cross-functional teams.

Adaptability: Ability to get gritty and operate in spaces that are not yet well defined and are subject to rapid and unexpected changes

What you'll bring:

3+ years of experience in Product Operations, Technical Program Management, or a similar role at an operational-intensive technology company.

Highly analytical with a proven ability to use data to drive process improvements and product decisions, e.g., Kibana/Elastic.

Exceptional attention to detail and a track record of driving timely execution in complex environments.

Outstanding people and communication skills, with demonstrated experience working across diverse teams (e.g., Engineering, Field Operations, Product).

Must be willing to work full-time in the Lancaster, TX office.

A non-technical degree is acceptable, but evidence of some technical aptitude or "nerdiness" is a plus.

Adeptness in leveraging generative AI tools to streamline workflows and enhance clarity and quality in stakeholder communication.

Additional experience in the following areas is also a plus

Operations research, industrial engineering, and/or process optimization

Autonomy, mobility, supply chain, or logistics

Working in both a startup and a larger company environment

What we offer:

Competitive compensation package including equity and annual bonuses

Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, and  MetLife (including a medical plan with infertility benefits)

MetLife Legal Services, Identity & Fraud Protection, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, & Critical Illness Insurance

Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, and generous parental leave policies

Office perks: free catered lunch, a fully stocked kitchen

Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance

Wellbeing Benefits - Headspace through Cigna, Calm through Kaiser, One Medical, Gympass, Spring Health through Cigna, Rula (mental health navigation) 

Fidelity 401(k)

Commuter, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, HSA

Various incentive programs (referral bonuses, patent bonuses, etc.)

 

At Kodiak, we strive to build a diverse community working towards our common company goals in a safe and collaborative environment where harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited. Kodiak is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

 

In alignment with its business operations, Kodiak adheres to all relevant statutes, regulations, and administrative prerequisites. Accordingly, roles that carry more sensitive requirements may be limited to candidates that can satisfy additional scrutiny and eligibility for such positions may hinge on verification of a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. Should the position require, and Kodiak determines that a candidate’s residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status necessitate an export license, bar the candidate from the position, or otherwise fall under national security-related restrictions, Kodiak will consider the candidate for alternative positions unaffected by such restrictions, under terms and conditions set forth at Kodiak’s sole discretion, or, as an alternative, opt not to proceed with the candidate’s application. If applicable, Kodiak may provide visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.

 

We use a third-party AI tool (Endorsed) to assist in the initial screening of applications. As part of the evaluation process, we provide Endorsed with job requirements and candidate-submitted applications. Final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team, and no automated system makes the ultimate decision regarding hiring. Certain features of the platform may qualify it as an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) under applicable regulations. We began using Endorsed on January 1, 2026. You can review the independent bias audit report covering our use of Endorsed [here](https://endorsed.com/local-law-144). By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your application may be processed by AI systems as part of the screening and selection process. If you have any questions or would like to request a separate review of your application, please contact careers@kodiak.ai with "Separate Review Request" in the email subject line.

 

Source: Kodiak careers (Greenhouse)

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