Manager - Strategy & Operations

Reports to:

Collin Ridley, Sr. Director - Strategy & Operations

Location:

Chicago, IL

Work Type:
Full-Time (onsite)

Compensation: $75K - $90K / yr + equity

Unicorn Auctions is building the modern platform for spirits and wine, making limited bottles accessible to buyers of all kinds - from seasoned collectors to new enthusiasts. We are committed to providing a seamless and exceptional experience for our buyers and sellers through best-in-class storage, logistics operations, and unparalleled customer service.

As we scale, operational excellence - and the people who deliver it - matters more than ever. We are investing in leadership roles that combine strong people management, analytical rigor, and hands‑on execution to help us build durable systems and high‑performing teams.

Unicorn has reached a scale where strong execution depends on clear ownership, consistent people leadership, and operational rigor across core functions. This role exists to close the gap between strategy and day‑to‑day execution — ensuring that frontline teams are supported, held accountable, and set up to succeed.

The Strategy & Operations Manager will play a critical role in translating company priorities into real outcomes by leading teams, improving systems, and owning execution in fast‑moving operational environments.

The Strategy & Operations Manager is a hands‑on operational leader responsible for managing frontline teams, improving daily execution, and driving continuous improvement across Unicorn’s core operations.

This is not a purely strategic role. You will directly manage salaried managers and hourly employees, own performance management, and ensure teams consistently meet operational targets — while also contributing to longer‑term initiatives that help the business scale.

Success in this role requires someone who is equally comfortable:

• Coaching salaried managers and hourly team members
• Digging into data and KPIs
• Being present on the floor to understand how work actually gets done
• Leading change as processes, tools, and expectations evolve

each aligned to a primary operational focus area outlined below.

While both roles share a common foundation, each will have a clearly defined home base and accountability:

• Partner with Auction Ops Management to lead a team of ~15 hourly employees across bottle receiving, intake, photography, auction setup, and auction launch
• Own performance management for the team, including KPI tracking, coaching, corrective action, hiring decisions, and termination decisions
• Operate in an extremely deadline‑driven environment with fixed weekly auction targets and accuracy standards
• Lead the transition toward 7‑day Auction Ops coverage, ensuring appropriate staffing and management presence across all operational hours
• Drive continuous improvement in auction workflows, internal tools, and data accuracy
• Lead change management efforts, including SOP development, training resources, and clear communication as processes and tools evolve
• Maintain a visible, hands‑on leadership presence — earning trust through consistency and action

• Partner with Warehouse Ops leadership to lead a team of ~25 hourly employees across front of house, local pickups, inventory management, packing, and shipping
• Own performance management, staffing plans, KPI visibility, and accountability systems for warehouse teams — including coaching, corrective action, hiring decisions, and termination decisions
• Improve operational consistency by defining clear roles, expectations, and documented processes
• Lead efforts to improve data quality and operational visibility, ensuring metrics are accurate, timely, and actionable
• Drive the transition away from spreadsheet‑driven workflows into internal tools and systems
• Identify operational gaps that impact the customer experience and build scalable solutions to address them
• Maintain a hands‑on leadership presence, spending time on the floor to understand issues and coach in real time

This role is designed with clear…