About Vale
At Vale, our goal is to make magic and bring the real benefits of matcha to a billion people. We are a group of fun-loving, matcha enthusiasts who believe that a good idea can come from anywhere. Vale is a Seattle startup making magic through cutting-edge technology, automation, and world class hospitality experiences. We are a dynamic and highly cross functional team with a wealth of experience in food service, food automation, software engineering, aerospace, and consumer electronics. We have come together to develop the Matcha experience of the future — whether that's in a cafe, your neighborhood park, or at home.
About you
You are someone who is enthusiastic about matcha, obsessed with innovation, and loves being a part of a dynamic team.
- Enthusiastic about matcha. The world of matcha is huge, so you should be curious about its benefits, flavor profiles, and methods of preparation.
- Detail Oriented. Take pride in your craft and ensure Vale's products are consistent, repeatable, and of the highest quality.
- Versatile. Bringing matcha to a billion people is dynamic work! You should be comfortable sharing your expertise in one area, but capable of owning something new in another.
- Excited to be a part of a growing team. Vale is a growing company and we want you to grow with us.
The role
The Logistics Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end supply chain and logistics operations across a rapidly growing matcha beverage business. This role oversees ERP implementation, international sourcing, inventory management, daily deployment of mobile beverage carts, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce fulfillment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on operations leader who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment and enjoys building scalable systems while ensuring flawless day-to-day execution.
Key responsibilities
Supply Chain & Procurement
- Manage inbound procurement and logistics for premium matcha and tencha sourced directly from Japan.
- Coordinate international freight, customs clearance, import documentation, and domestic transportation in cooperation with Vale's 3PL.
- Develop inventory forecasting / demand planning models to maintain optimal stock levels while minimizing waste.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics partners.
ERP Implementation & Process Improvement
- Lead the implementation and optimization of the company's ERP platform - Katana.
- Design and document standard operating procedures across purchasing, inventory, fulfillment, and logistics.
- Ensure accurate inventory tracking, lot traceability, purchasing workflows, and financial integration.
- Develop dashboards and KPIs to improve operational visibility and decision-making.
Beverage Cart Operations
- Oversee the daily deployment and retrieval of mobile matcha beverage carts throughout the Seattle metropolitan area.
- Coordinate staffing, equipment readiness, inventory loading, and route planning.
- Ensure carts are fully stocked, maintained, compliant with health regulations, and operating efficiently.
- Continuously optimize delivery schedules, labor utilization, and fleet productivity.
Wholesale Distribution
- Manage outbound replenishment and deliveries to wholesale customers.
- Provide demand forecasts to the Vale Production Manager
- Maintain high order accuracy and on-time delivery performance.
- Develop scalable distribution processes to support business growth.
E-Commerce Fulfillment
- Oversee fulfillment operations for direct-to-consumer online orders.
- Ensure same-day or next-day shipping performance where applicable.
- Manage warehouse inventory accuracy, picking, packing, shipping, and returns.
- Collaborate with customer service to resolve shipping issues and improve the customer experience.
Inventory & Warehouse Management
- Maintain accurate inventory across multiple storage locations.
- Conduct cycle counts and inventory audits.
- Monitor inventory turnover, shrinkage, and product freshness.
- Improve warehouse organization and operational efficiency.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead a team of managers who will supervise a team of logistics coordinators, warehouse personnel, drivers, and fulfillment staff.
- Hire, train, and coach team members while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Establish performance metrics and conduct regular team reviews.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 5+ years of logistics, supply chain, or operations management experience.
- Experience implementing or managing ERP systems (Katana perferred, or similar).
- Experience managing international imports, preferably from Asia.
- Knowledge of inventory control, warehouse operations, and fulfillment best practices.
- Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel and ERP reporting.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
- Ability to balance strategic initiatives with hands-on operational execution.
- Experience managing an organization of 10 or more employees during two-shift, 7-day continuous operations
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in specialty food, beverage, coffee, tea, or consumer packaged goods.
- Familiarity with FDA food import regulations and customs procedures.
- Experience supporting wholesale distribution and direct-to-consumer e-commerce operations.
- Knowledge of route optimization and last-mile logistics.
- Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
- Familiarity with Katana ERP
What success looks like
Within the first year, the Logistics Manager will have successfully deployed a scalable ERP system, established reliable international tencha/matcha sourcing from Japan without gaps in availability, optimized daily beverage cart operations throughout Seattle, improved wholesale replenishment processes, and built a highly efficient fulfillment operation capable of supporting continued business growth. This individual will play a critical role in creating an operational foundation that enables exceptional customer experiences across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- ERP implementation milestones achieved on schedule
- Inventory accuracy above 98%
- On-time deployment of beverage carts
- On-time wholesale delivery performance
- E-commerce order fulfillment on-time, in-full, with quality
- Inventory turnover and carrying cost improvements
- Reduced logistics and freight costs
- Warehouse productivity and labor efficiency
- Customer satisfaction and order accuracy
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits for full time employees
- Company funded ORCA card
- Annual bonuses and company equity
- Joining a fun startup in Seattle