Job Description

My client is a venture-backed clean energy company. They manufacture modular data centers that convert wasted renewable energy from solar and wind farms into valuable computing revenue, solving one of the clean energy sector's biggest challenges: curtailment.

Their product is a 100kW modular data center (8ft x 5ft x 2ft) that can be deployed and operational within 45 minutes at renewable energy sites. With 10 MW coming online this year and a 250+ MW pipeline for 2026, they're scaling production rapidly and need someone to build and manage warehouse operations from the ground up.

This is a part-time to full-time role (~15-25 hours/week initially, transitioning to full-time within 3-6 months as production scales). You'll be employee #15-20 with the opportunity to build warehouse processes and systems as the company grows.

The Opportunity

We're seeking an experienced Warehouse Manager to oversee all warehouse operations, manage inventory, and build scalable systems as production ramps from dozens to hundreds of units. This role starts part-time but will transition to full-time as the company scales production in 2025-2026.

You'll work directly with the founding team and operations leadership to establish warehouse layouts, implement safety protocols, manage material flow, and coordinate logistics. This is a ground-floor opportunity to build warehouse operations from scratch rather than inheriting legacy processes.

What You'll Do

Warehouse Operations & Management:

• Oversee all warehouse operations including receiving, storage, material handling, and shipping
• Organize and optimize warehouse layout for maximum efficiency and safety
• Implement and maintain 5S principles and warehouse organization standards
• Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment daily
• Manage warehouse space planning as inventory and production volumes scale
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and OSHA standards

Inventory Management & Control:

• Manage inventory for modular data center components (electronics, enclosures, cooling systems, power equipment)
• Track materials from receiving through production to final assembly using inventory management software
• Conduct regular cycle counts and maintain accurate inventory records
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between physical inventory and system records
• Forecast material needs based on production schedules and lead times

Logistics & Receiving:

• Manage inbound shipments, receiving processes, and material inspection
• Coordinate outbound shipping and logistics for completed units
• Process purchase orders and track deliveries
• Work with freight carriers and coordinate delivery schedules
• Manage documentation for receiving, shipping, and inventory transactions

Process Development:

• Build warehouse standard operating procedures (SOPs) as the company scales
• Implement tracking systems for serialized components and quality control
• Create warehouse KPIs and reporting dashboards for leadership visibility
• Establish safety protocols and training procedures for warehouse operations
• Develop material handling procedures for specialized components

Supplier & Vendor Coordination:

• Coordinate with suppliers on delivery schedules and material availability
• Manage relationships with local vendors for expedited or emergency procurement
• Communicate supply chain issues to operations and production teams
• Support procurement planning with operations leadership

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work with production team to stage materials and support manufacturing schedules
• Coordinate with quality control on component inspection and acceptance
• Support operations leadership with production planning and material requirements
• Collaborate with the founding team on scaling warehouse operations

What You Bring

Required:

• 2-5 years of experience in warehouse management, inventory management, or warehouse operations
• Valid forklift certification (or multiple equipment certifications)
• Proven experience operating forklifts and material handling equipment
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proficiency with spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets) and inventory tracking systems
• Physical ability to lift and move materials (up to 50 lbs regularly) in a warehouse environment
• Strong communication skills and collaborative mindset
• Located in or willing to relocate to Bay Area (Palo Alto)
• Excited about clean energy and climate technology
• No college degree required - we value hands-on experience over formal education

Preferred:

• Experience with inventory management software (Fishbowl, NetSuite, SAP, or similar ERP systems)
• Background in hardware manufacturing, electronics, or technology products
• Startup or fast-paced environment experience
• Experience managing warehouse operations during company growth/scaling
• Supply chain management coursework or certification (APICS, CPIM)
• Experience with serialized component tracking or quality management systems
• Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and warehouse safety protocols

Personality & Culture Fit:

• Comfortable with ambiguity and building processes from scratch
• Self-starter who can work independently with minimal supervision
• Process-oriented but adaptable as the business evolves
• Mission-driven and genuinely excited about climate impact
• Hands-on operator who isn't afraid to get work done on the warehouse floor
• Growth mindset and eager to learn

Why This Role Matters

Climate Impact: Renewable energy curtailment wastes billions of dollars of clean power annually. My client is turning that waste into valuable computing capacity, making renewable energy more economically viable.

Ground Floor Opportunity: Join a 15-person team backed by top-tier investors with significant funding runway. Build warehouse operations and systems that will scale with the company.

Career Growth: This isn't a dead-end warehouse job. As production scales from 10 MW to 250+ MW, you'll have opportunities to grow into supply chain leadership, operations management, or logistics management roles.

Hands-On Learning: Direct exposure to hardware manufacturing, supply chain operations, renewable energy markets, and startup scaling. Learn from experienced operators and founders.

Mission + Market: Work at the intersection of clean energy, hardware manufacturing, and advanced computing—one of the most exciting sectors in technology.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs