Your mission
The Senior Director Operations at Zellerfeld is responsible for building and scaling a world-class operations function that ensures quick deliveries to customers through extending our efficient, reliable, and scalable production of 3D-printed footwear. The mission is to align operational excellence with Zellerfeld’s strategic goals by driving performance across the entire value chain—from print farm throughput, quality control, and post-processing to logistics and customer delivery. The Senior Director Operations will foster a culture of ownership/accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, enabling Zellerfeld to deliver premium, customizable products at speed while maintaining superior quality and customer satisfaction.
This role will establish clear operational KPIs to track customer deliveries, implement lean and scalable systems, and empower frontline teams to own and optimize their workflows. The Senior Director Operations will also serve as a key business partner to Product Technology and Engineering to ensure operational needs and requirements are closely aligned with innovation roadmaps.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and scale end-to-end operations from 3D printing to shipping for our farm in Hamburg
* Define and drive key KPIs: throughput, uptime, yield, and delivery performance
* Build high-performing teams and operational processes for quality and speed
* Align operations with product innovation and company growth strategies
* Implement lean systems, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives
* Ensure compliance, safety, and cost-efficiency across all operations
Your profile
* Proven track record in setting up and leading large-scale manufacturing or logistics operations, ideally with hands-on examples of scaling teams, processes, or facilities
* Experience operating in fast-paced, high-complexity environments with a strong focus on delivery, quality, and uptime
* Comfortable navigating multinational and cross-cultural setups, with the ability to lead diverse, distributed teams
* Skilled at translating large-scale industrial experience into lean, startup-friendly practices – avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy while instilling operational rigor
* Deep understanding of production metrics (yield, uptime, throughput) and ability to drive continuous improvement through data and systems
* Strong leadership presence on the shopfloor as well as in the boardroom – able to build trust with frontline teams and communicate effectively with executives
* Familiar with modern manufacturing systems (MES, ERP) and automation tools; capable of shaping and deploying tech-enabled workflows
* Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to stay calm and decisive under pressure
* Fluent in English; German is a plus
Why us?
* Shape the Future: You will directly influence our journey as we scale from a startup to an international company.
* Innovative Culture: Work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and designers who embrace contrarian thinking and humility.
* Global Impact: Join us in our mission to put 3D-printed shoes on every foot and eliminate waste in the footwear industry.
* Growth: We offer a dynamic work environment with flat hierarchies where your voice will be heard.
* Diverse Team: We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture. Your background, age, race, gender, or beliefs don’t matter to us—what counts is your passion and the value you bring to the team.
About us
Zellerfeld is revolutionizing the footwear industry with the world’s first 3D-printing technology for fully customizable shoes. Our goal is simple: printed shoes on every foot. We’re a passionate team of engineers, designers, and innovators, questioning the status quo and disrupting traditional manufacturing processes. Backed by founders, influencers, and celebrities who believe in our vision, we’re committed to making a lasting, positive impact—not just on the footwear industry, but on the world.