Chief Operating Officer at Smart Partners

Role Overview

• We are seeking a transformational COO who can take the firm from a celebrated 10-year milestone into a new era of expansion, innovation, and operational excellence.
• This role demands a seasoned leader who understands the fast-moving fashion landscape and can translate creative vision into operational success.
• You will oversee end-to-end operations — from manufacturing and supply chain management to inventory planning, cost optimization, and delivery — while enabling the firm to scale its lifestyle line, elevate service offerings, and deliver excellence across wholesale, retail, and direct-to-consumer channels.

Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Growth:

• Develop and execute operational strategies that will unlock the next level of the firm’s growth.
• Lead the launch of the firm’s lifestyle line for apparel and accessories.
• Establish and scale our made-to-measure and custom fashion service, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship and client experience.
• Oversee manufacturing operations to ensure capacity meets demand while maintaining impeccable quality standards.
• Identify and manage operational risks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and production bottlenecks.
• Manufacturing & Quality Excellence
• Manage relationships with factories and suppliers to ensure production timelines and quality compliance.
• Uphold and enhance quality assurance standards.
• Introduce innovative production processes to support agility in product launches and seasonal collections.
• Inventory, Demand Planning & Omni-Channel Strategy
• Direct inventory planning strategies to balance demand across wholesale, retail, and e-commerce channels.
• Implement advanced forecasting models to minimize stockouts and overstock while enabling fast response to market trends.
• Partner with merchandising, design, and marketing teams to align operational execution with creative vision.
• Financial & Efficiency Optimization
• Partner with finance to optimize cost structures, margins, and operational efficiencies.
• Establish operational KPIs to track and enhance performance.
• Negotiate supplier contracts to secure competitive terms without compromising quality.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven senior leadership experience (COO, VP of Operations, or equivalent) in the fashion, apparel, or lifestyle industry.
• Strong expertise in manufacturing operations, quality control, and supply chain management.
• Experience in launching new product lines, particularly in luxury or premium fashion.
• Demonstrated success in scaling made-to-measure, custom, or personalized fashion services.
• Expertise in omni-channel operations and demand forecasting.
• Strong financial acumen and operational analytics skills.
• A leader with vision, creativity, and the ability to execute in fast-paced, trend-driven environments.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic vision with execution excellence
• Fashion trend and market awareness
• Innovation in operational systems.