At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a cutting-edge Product Operating System for a dynamic tech startup.
- Company: Join Zone & Company, an innovative ERP-native AI platform transforming finance operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, autonomy, and a supportive culture that fuels your professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and unique perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by architecting systems that empower finance teams worldwide.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in Product Operations with leadership experience at top-tier tech companies.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Zone & Company Software Consulting LLC (“Zone”) is the ERP-native AI platform for financial operations, purpose-built for organizations running on Oracle NetSuite. We are redefining how finance teams operate by delivering an AI-powered system that automates, connects, and scales financial workflows directly within the ERP. As the AI operating system for finance teams in NetSuite, Zone enables more than 4,500 customers worldwide to run smarter, faster, and with greater accuracy. Our platform spans the full financial lifecycle, including Quote-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay, Treasury, Payroll Management, and Record-to-Report, eliminating manual processes and unlocking real-time financial intelligence.
About the Job: Zone & Co is scaling, and we need an architect to build our "Product Operating System." We are looking for a visionary Head of Product Operations who has seen "what good looks like" at a world-class technology organization but is hungry to build it from the ground up in a dynamic, unstructured startup environment. You will not just manage processes; you will serve as a force multiplier for the entire R&D organization. You will be the strategic right hand to product leadership, translating high-level business vision into operational reality.
What You'll Do: The Head of Product Operations will lead the strategic alignment and operational efficacy of the Product organization. This role moves beyond simple workflow management to orchestrate the rhythm of the business. You will act as the connective tissue between Product, Engineering, Customer Success, and GTM, ensuring that our growth does not come at the cost of clarity or quality. You will bring a "best-in-class" mindset—introducing frameworks, data rigor, and leadership behaviours found in top-tier tech companies—while adapting them to the agility required at Zone. You will build a culture of psychological safety, clear communication, and relentless execution.
- Architecting the "Product OS"
- System Design: Move beyond ad-hoc improvements to design and implement a scalable "Product Operating System" that governs how we discover, plan, build, and launch products.
- Strategic Rhythm: Own the cadence of the product organization (QBRs, Roadmap Reviews, Release Planning), ensuring these are high-leverage decision-making forums, not just status updates.
- Strategic Alignment & Visibility
- Source of Truth: Define and own the "Single Source of Truth" for product data. Move beyond basic KPI tracking to provide predictive insights on product health, delivery velocity, and market impact.
- Executive Interlock: Act as a strategic advisor to the C-suite, providing visibility into operational risks and resource allocation to ensure we are betting on the right initiatives.
- Culture & Enablement
- Continuous Learning: Institutionalize post-mortems and retrospectives not as "blame games," but as engines for continuous improvement.
- Change Management: Lead the organization through growth and change with empathy and clarity, minimizing friction during pivots or scaling phases.
How You'll Do It: Operational Architecture: Architect and scale the end-to-end product lifecycle process, from "fuzzy front-end" ideation to post-launch optimization, ensuring it is lightweight enough for speed but robust enough for scale.
Data-Driven Decisioning: Establish a sophisticated metrics framework (e.g., Say/Do Ratios, Cycle Time, ARR impact) that enables leadership to make objective, data-backed trade-off decisions.
Cross-Functional Orchestration: Dismantling silos between Product, Sales, and CS. Ensure that customer feedback loops are systemized and directly influence the product roadmap.
Launch Excellence: Transform "release management" into a strategic GTM advantage. Partner with Product Marketing to ensure internal readiness matches external ambition.
Tooling & Stack Strategy: Evaluate and consolidate the product tech stack (Jira, Productboard, etc.) to ensure tools serve the workflow, not the other way around.
Leadership DNA (Competencies)
- Visionary & Strategic: You can zoom out to see the 3-year horizon but zoom in to unblock a ticket. You have a clear vision for how a product org should run and can communicate it effectively.
- Empowerment over Micromanagement: You build systems that allow teams to operate autonomously. You trust smart people to do their jobs and focus on removing obstacles rather than dictating tasks.
- Psychological Safety: You create an environment where risks are taken, and failure is viewed as data. You encourage diverse perspectives and debate without consensus-seeking.
- Influence Without Authority: You can align cross-functional VP-level stakeholders (Engineering, Sales, Marketing) around shared goals without needing a direct reporting line.
What You'll Need:
- Experience: 8-10+ years in Product Operations or Product Management with at least 3+ years in a leadership capacity.
- The "Hybrid" Background: Must have experience at a "Branded" / Tier-1 Tech Company (e.g., FAANG, Salesforce, Shopify, etc.) understanding what "great" looks like at scale. Must also have experience in a Start-up / Scale-up environment, proving you can build structure from chaos without bureaucratic bloat.
- Operational Mastery: Deeply familiar with modern product frameworks (Outcome-based roadmaps, OKRs, PLG motions).
- Communication: Elite communication skills; able to distill complex operational challenges into clear narratives for the executive team.
Benefits
At Zone, we provide the platform; you provide the grit. We operate as a high-velocity, fully remote, global team where autonomy isn't just a perk, it’s the standard. We’re looking for self-driven professionals eager to navigate the complexities of a unique SaaS environment and take full command of their professional evolution. We ditch micro-management for high-trust flexibility, ensuring you have the space to innovate and scale. Our benefits are built to fuel this lifestyle, supporting your life beyond the screen so you can focus on making a global impact.
Join Our Global Mission
Zone & Co is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We thrive on unique perspectives and strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Here, your identity is valued, and your talent is the only limit to your growth. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, orientation, age, disability, or any other protected factor.
Employment Terms
United States Employment with Zone is “At-Will”, meaning either party may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law. This job description does not constitute an employment contract or guarantee of continued employment. Duties and responsibilities may evolve as the company grows and may change at any time with or without notice.
Non-US Jurisdictions
This position is offered as a Fixed-Term or Permanent Contract based on your country of residence. Employment is subject to a written contract which outlines specific notice periods, probationary terms, and statutory entitlements.
Product Operations Director employer: Zone & Co
At Zone & Company, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions autonomy and innovation within a fully remote, global team. Our culture fosters psychological safety and continuous learning, empowering employees to take charge of their professional growth while contributing to a meaningful mission in the SaaS landscape. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a supportive environment where unique perspectives are valued, ensuring that your talent is the only limit to your success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn, attend virtual meetups, or join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and how they operate. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Product Operations Director. Highlight your achievements and how you've driven results in past roles—this is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Zone & Company and ready to contribute to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about building a 'Product Operating System' and making an impact at Zone. Share specific examples of your past experiences that align with our mission.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in Product Operations or Management. We’re looking for someone who understands what 'great' looks like in both startup and established environments, so don’t be shy about showcasing those skills!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point. Make it easy for us to see how your background aligns with the role and what you can bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and ready to take the next step in your career with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zone & Co
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Zone's AI platform and its features. Understand how it integrates with Oracle NetSuite and the specific financial operations it enhances. This knowledge will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for a 'Product Operating System'. Think about frameworks and processes you've implemented in previous roles that could be adapted to Zone's dynamic environment. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully aligned product teams and driven operational excellence.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Highlight your experience in dismantling silos between departments. Share specific instances where you've facilitated communication between Product, Engineering, and Customer Success teams. This will show that you understand the importance of collaboration in achieving strategic goals.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform product decisions in the past. Bring examples of metrics you've tracked and how they influenced your strategies. This will resonate well with Zone's focus on predictive insights and operational efficacy.
