VDURA is revolutionizing data storage and management to fuel discovery in the AI era by building the Data Platform that industry and research pioneers need to get the most out of their data. The VDURA Data Platform elevates data infrastructure with unprecedented levels of performance, durability, and simplicity to accelerate cutting-edge AI and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. As an HPC pioneer, our highly differentiated product offerings have been deployed by Fortune 500 commercial customers as well as leading government and research agencies in over 50 countries, including Boeing, P&G, NIO Electric Vehicles, TGS, National Institute of Health, Siemens, Harvard Medical School, and NASA. Whether it’s building the next Dreamliner, winning a Formula One race, creating mind-bending visual effects, curing diseases, or modeling climate change, the world’s leading companies and research institutions trust VDURA to power their most innovative HPC and AI projects. Overview: VDURA is seeking a dynamic Head of Operations to drive operational excellence in our AI and high-performance computing (HPC) Data Infrastructure business. The role is critical, requiring a leader with a robust skill set to navigate the complex landscape of hardware and cloud-based infrastructure operations. The Head of Operations will oversee supply chain management, covering both end-customer solutions and internal test and development systems, hardware field support logistics, and strategic vendor relationships, while preparing for a cloud-based SaaS offering on a major public cloud. This role demands expertise in cost optimization, forecasting, and team leadership to maximize software revenues/margins and ensure operational excellence. Key Responsibilities: Oversee end-to-end supply chain operations, including vendor management for strategic commodities (e.g., HDDs, SSDs, CPUs), forecasting, and inventory optimization to minimize excess stock. Manage in-house hardware field support (break-fix, parts replacement), including inventory, forward stocking locations (FSLs), and SLAs, ensuring cost efficiency and 95%+ compliance. Leverage industry connections with strategic commodity vendors (e.g., Samsung, Seagate, Western Digital, Intel, AMD, Micron) and integrators like Avnet to secure strategic OEM level pricing, ongoing cost reductions and priority allocation. Prepare for a 2026 SaaS-only offering on a major public cloud, managing cloud vendor commercial relationships, cost optimization, and operational scalability for 99.9% uptime. Lead ERP system transitions and data-driven operational systems to enhance efficiency and improve inventory lifecycle management. Ensure 95%+ on-time delivery and order correctness through Integration partners like Avnet Integrated. Manage and develop a high-performing team of 4-6, including manufacturing engineers, analysts, and project managers. Collaborate with engineering, sales, and tech support to align operations with product performance and customer expectations. Key Outcomes: Achieve competitive quarterly unit cost reductions through strategic negotiations and relationships. Maintain 98% component availability via priority allocation. Optimize hardware field support costs and gross margins. Secure cost savings on strategic commodities through industry connections. Achieve 98%+ SLA compliance for hardware field support and 99.9% uptime for cloud SaaS. Ensure operational readiness for a public cloud SaaS offering by Q1 2026. Strengthen team capabilities through training and strategic hires. Qualifications: 10+ years of operations leadership experience, with 5+ years in HPC, data storage, or appliance-based tech markets. Proven success in scaling supply chains, in-house hardware field support, and vendor relationships in volatile, low-margin environments. Established network with strategic commodity vendors (e.g., Seagate, Western Digital, Intel, AMD) and integrators like Avnet, with a track record of securing lower costs and priority allocation. Experience managing cloud-based SaaS operations, ideally on a public cloud (GCP, Amazon, Azure), with expertise in cost optimization, scalability, and SLAs. Proficiency in ERP transitions, data-driven systems, and hardware-software integration. Strong leadership skills to develop and empower small teams, with a focus on delegation and capability building. Expertise in aggressive yet strategic vendor negotiations, inventory management, and change management for in-house transitions. High energy, cost-obsessed, and adaptable to fast-paced, volatile markets. Assertive, collaborative, and proactive in leveraging relationships and optimizing processes. Preferred Skills: Existing relationships with strategic commodity vendors, cloud providers  for cost-effective terms and priority support. Experience balancing hardware and cloud operations in a hybrid model. Deep understanding of HPC market dynamics, including large RFPs, low margins, and rapid product transitions. Behavioral Traits: Strategic and network-savvy, with a knack for building and leveraging industry relationships. Future-oriented, proactively preparing for cloud-driven industry shifts. Versatile, managing both hardware and cloud ecosystems with equal proficiency. Collaborative yet assertive, maximizing VDURA’s position in vendor and internal interactions. About VDURA: VDURA is a software company delivering high-performance data infrastructure for AI and HPC markets.  On-Prem Infrastructure Solutions are delivered as integrated hardware appliances primarily through Integrators such as Avnet Integrated, with a forthcoming SaaS-only offering  in 2026. Operating in a competitive market, VDURA prioritizes performance optimization, cost efficiency and reliable support to maximize software revenue and margins. With a small, developing operations team and limited vendor leverage, VDURA seeks a dynamic Head of Operations to drive strategic growth and operational excellence.