Sr. Operations Manager

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. This architecture allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds; over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.

This order of magnitude increase in speed is transforming the user experience of AI applications, unlocking real-time iteration and increasing intelligence via additional agentic computation.

Cerebras works with the leading model labs, global enterprises, and cutting-edge AI-native startups. OpenAI recently announced a multi-year partnership with Cerebras, to deploy 750 megawatts of scale, transforming key workloads with ultra high-speed inference.

Position Summary

The Sr. Operations Manager will lead warehouse operations, inventory control, 3PL execution, and reverse logistics inventory ownership in a fast-paced manufacturing and supply chain environment. This role connects physical material movement, warehouse readiness, partner execution, system transaction discipline, and audit-ready controls across internal warehouses, manufacturing sites, contract manufacturers, 3PLs, and partner-held inventory locations.

The role strengthens inventory accuracy, cycle count governance, warehouse scalability, SOX readiness, RMA / reverse logistics execution, and exception management. Transportation, carrier management, and freight execution remain owned by Logistics; this role owns inventory movement control, transaction accuracy, system tracking, receipt confirmation, and cross-functional coordination through final receipt.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Control & Governance

• Own the end-to-end inventory control operating model across internal warehouses, manufacturing locations, contract manufacturers, 3PLs, and partner-held inventory locations.

• Set standards for ABC / risk-based counts, high-value inventory, exception approvals, and discrepancy closure.

• Improve inventory practices to protect margin, reduce loss and write-offs, and strengthen perpetual accuracy.

• Ensure physical inventory movements, ERP/WMS transactions, supporting documentation, approvals, and financial controls remain aligned.

• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for count variances, transfer discrepancies, receiving issues, RMA activity, MRB, scrap, unbuild activity, holds, aging inventory, and open exceptions.

Warehouse Footprint & Scalability

• Define the warehouse and inventory footprint strategy needed to support growth, inventory accuracy, and transaction discipline.

• Evaluate internal warehouse, 3PL, partner, and contract manufacturer nodes against volume, material risk, storage needs, service levels, and controls.

• Partner with cross-functional leaders to develop scalable warehouse processes, storage strategies, location controls, receiving protocols, inventory movement standards, and disposition workflows.

• Identify capacity risks, process gaps, and control weaknesses that may impact inventory availability, margin, production continuity, or audit readiness.

3PL Partnership & Performance

• Own 3PL operating relationships, governance cadence, performance management, issue escalation, and service-level expectations.

• Set standards for receiving, storage, transfers, cycle counts, shipment handoffs, POD retention, exception reporting, and transaction timing.

• Partner with 3PLs to improve inventory accuracy, reduce manual reconciliation, strengthen custody controls, and ensure audit-ready evidence retention.

• Monitor partner performance through KPIs, scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action plans.

RMA / Reverse Logistics Inventory

• Own inventory control for RMA and reverse logistics movements to and from internal sites, manufacturing locations, contract manufacturers, 3PLs, and customer or field locations through final receipt and reconciliation.

• Ensure RMA and reverse logistics movements are accurately tracked in ERP / WMS systems, including documentation, location status, custody changes, receipt confirmation, and exceptions.

• Coordinate with Logistics, Warehouse, Manufacturing, Quality, Customer Support, Finance, 3PLs, and partner teams to ensure returned or transferred materials are received, inspected, dispositioned, and transacted accurately.

• Logistics owns transportation execution, carrier selection, and freight management; this role owns inventory visibility, transaction accuracy, system reconciliation, and operational follow-through.

• Drive closure of missing receipts, transaction gaps, aging RMA inventory, in-transit discrepancies, undocumented returns, and unresolved reverse logistics exceptions.

Finance Partnership, SOX Readiness & Audit Controls

• Partner with Finance and Accounting to ensure inventory activity supports accurate valuation, period-end close, audit evidence, and SOX readiness.

• Define operational controls for inventory adjustments, cycle count variances, receipts, transfers, scrap, MRB, RMA, unbuild activity, and partner-held inventory.

• Maintain audit-ready documentation for custody, receiving support, count execution, adjustment approvals, inventory movement evidence, and corrective actions.

• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end readiness by driving timely exception closure and reducing manual reconciliation burden.

• Escalate control gaps, aging exceptions, missing evidence, or process noncompliance that may create financial exposure, audit risk, or inventory misstatement.

Warehouse Operations & Process Execution

• Lead warehouse operating standards for receiving, put-away, storage, inventory movements, staging, kitting support, shipment handoffs, and controlled disposition workflows.

• Ensure warehouse processes are scalable, documented, consistently followed, and aligned with ERP / WMS controls.

• Drive daily operating discipline for transaction timing, physical-to-system alignment, location accuracy, and exception follow-up.

• Partner with Warehouse, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Logistics teams to resolve operational blockers and improve material flow.

• Identify and implement process improvements that reduce manual effort, improve inventory visibility, strengthen custody controls, and support manufacturing continuity.

Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with BIS / Systems and operational stakeholders to improve ERP / WMS workflows, reporting, dashboards, exception queues, access controls, and partner data feeds.

• Use data to identify recurring defects, transaction lag, aging exceptions, partner performance issues, count variance trends, and inventory risk exposure.

• Develop and monitor KPIs for inventory accuracy, cycle count completion, transaction SLA compliance, exception aging, receiving discipline, adjustment trends, and 3PL performance.

• Lead corrective action planning and continuous improvement initiatives that address root causes rather than one-off cleanup.

• Translate operational data into clear leadership updates, prioritization recommendations, and action plans.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in warehouse operations, inventory control, supply chain operations, manufacturing operations, 3PL management, logistics operations, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience leading inventory control, warehouse execution, partner operations, cycle counts, discrepancy resolution, and operational process improvement.

• Strong understanding of inventory practices, including receiving, transfers, cycle counting, variance investigation, inventory adjustments, scrap, MRB, RMA / reverse logistics movements, unbuild / rebuild activity, storage controls, transaction accuracy, and physical inventory governance.

• Experience working across multiple inventory nodes such as internal warehouses, manufacturing sites, contract manufacturers, 3PLs, data centers, or external partner locations.

• Working knowledge of ERP, WMS, and operational reporting systems; NetSuite experience is strongly preferred.

• Ability to partner effectively with Finance and Accounting on inventory controls, audit evidence, SOX readiness, period-end close, and financial exposure related to inventory activity.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to convert operational data into root-cause insights, corrective actions, and leadership recommendations.

• Excellent communication, escalation, and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to influence internal teams and external partners without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in hardware, semiconductor, electronics, data center infrastructure, contract manufacturing, or other complex technical manufacturing environments.

• Experience managing 3PL operating relationships, partner scorecards, business reviews, service-level expectations, and corrective action plans.

• Experience with SOX controls, audit readiness, segregation of duties, inventory valuation, or financial control environments.

• Experience implementing or improving ERP / WMS processes, dashboards, inventory reporting, or systematic controls; NetSuite experience is a plus.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.

• APICS CPIM, CSCP, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or related certification is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Operational ownership and follow-through

• Strong inventory control judgment and risk prioritization

• Analytical problem-solving and root-cause discipline

• Ability to operate in ambiguity and build scalable processes

• Cross-functional collaboration and professional conflict resolution

• Clear written and verbal communication

• Partner management and escalation discipline

• High attention to detail, documentation, and audit evidence

• Continuous improvement mindset

Success Measures

• Improved inventory record accuracy across internal, contract manufacturer, partner, and 3PL locations.

• Reduced cycle count variance aging, inventory adjustments, write-offs, and recurring discrepancy drivers.

• Improved transaction SLA adherence for receiving, transfers, inventory movements, RMA / reverse logistics, scrap, MRB, and unbuild activity.

• Improved visibility, receipt confirmation, and system transaction accuracy for materials moving to and from sites through RMA and reverse logistics workflows.

• Audit-ready documentation for inventory custody, adjustments, approvals, count execution, and corrective actions.

• Improved 3PL performance visibility through scorecards, recurring reviews, and timely corrective action closure.

• Reduced manual reconciliation burden for Finance, Operations, and Systems teams.

The base salary range for this position is $170,000 to $248,000 annually. Actual compensation may include bonus and equity, and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

Why Join Cerebras

People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras, we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:

1. Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.

2. Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.

3. Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.

4. Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.

5. Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.

Find out more about what it's like to work at Cerebras here!

Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!

Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.

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