Company description

Rootstock is an early-stage venture cultivating a fresh connection between people and the source of their food. After a successful pilot in the mid-Peninsula, we’re now building the next version: a tighter, more efficient, and scalable operating engine — while staying deeply rooted in our hyperlocal community.

We’re a small team with a big ambition: to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable, community-rooted food system — one exceptional delivery at a time.

Job description

Rootstock is hiring our first Operations Lead to build and own our weekly fulfillment engine. This is a hands-on, systems-driven, early-stage role requiring in-person execution Wed–Fri in the mid-Peninsula. This is a foundational hire. The systems you build will shape how Rootstock operates as we grow.

THE ROLE

We’re looking for an Operations Lead who doesn’t just “run the route” or “pack the bag,” but builds and owns the engine behind it.

This is a hands-on, early-stage role for someone who wants to build the operating backbone from the ground up. You won’t just manage logistics — you’ll design and continuously refine them, ensuring consistent execution and a strong experience for our farmers, customers, and partners.

This role is ideal for someone who has a few years of operational experience and is ready to take on broader ownership in an early-stage environment. You’ll have visibility into the full operating model and real input into how we scale.

ROLE SUMMARY

Type: Part-time employee and first operations hire (with path to full-time)
Hours: ~20 hours per week
Location: Mid-Peninsula (exact facility location TBD within Redwood City / San Mateo / South San Francisco corridor). In person required Wed-Fri.
Compensation: $35–$45 per hour
Timeline: To start by March 30, 2026

WHO YOU ARE

Mission-Driven: You care about building a more direct community-rooted food system.
Hands-On Operator: You’re comfortable doing the physical work and improving the systems behind it.
Structured & Detail-Oriented: You care deeply about accuracy and follow-through across fulfillment, ensuring details are handled consistently and thoughtfully. You instinctively spot inefficiencies and simplify processes to save time and cost.
Resourceful Problem Solver: When something breaks, you don't panic -- you figure it out. You find ways to make progress and get things done.
Growth-Oriented: You're excited to build something early and grow with it.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the Weekly Fulfillment Sprint
Own our core Wed/Thu/Fri fulfillment cycle — coordinating with growers, executing farm pickups, setting up and running order packing operations, and ensuring smooth customer pickup and delivery.

Design & Strengthen Clear SOPs
Create and refine standard operating procedures for receiving, QC, packing, routing, and delivery. Optimize pack flow, packaging systems, and upstream coordination with growers. Reduce errors through thoughtful process design.

Solve Problems on the Ground
Act as the first line of defense for operational hurdles. Resolve issues independently and escalate thoughtfully when needed.

Build Smarter Systems
Identify and trial opportunities where process improvements, tools, or automation can reduce manual work and improve speed and accuracy. (e.g., “This cross-checking is taking too long; we need an automated solution here.”)

Own the Experience
Build strong relationships with farmers and customers. Ensure every delivery feels premium and local, and translate feedback into operational improvements.

THE PROFILE (SKILLS TO THRIVE)

End-to-End Ownership: You operate independently and embrace ambiguity in an evolving early-stage environment.
Systems Thinker: You design processes that prevent errors rather than constantly fixing them.
Detail-Driven Executor: You are personally bothered by mistakes and take pride in disciplined execution.
Calm, Clear Communicator: You provide data-driven updates and build strong relationships with growers and customers.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience: 2-5 years of relevant experience in food systems, logistics, supply chain, or early-stage operations. We're looking for someone who has had real operational responsibility and is ready for more ownership.
Physical Demands: Must have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently and handle the physical demands of the role comfortably (moving produce, standing, and walking for extended periods).
Driving & Transportation: Safe and confident driving capabilities to operate a commercial vehicle with a valid license. Clean driving required to fulfill job duties. Must have reliable personal transportation to and from the work site location (Redwood City, San Mateo, or South San Francisco).
Technology: Familiarity with basic technology, including email, spreadsheets, and comfort with quickly learning and integrating new software.
Organizational & Time Management Skills: Pays close attention to detail and prioritizes tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
Adaptability & Flexibility: Ability to navigate the ambiguous and evolving nature of a dynamic early-stage environment.
(Preferred) Spanish Proficiency to enable effective communication with a broader range of our partners and community members.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

THE SCHEDULE

While this role offers remote flexibility for planning activities, it requires a consistent in-person commitment for our weekly "fulfillment sprint." Workdays may begin early (often 6–8am start) and will run through active fulfillment windows. Exact timing is likely to change based on evolving business needs.

Wednesdays/Thursdays: Farm produce pickup and packaging operations.
Thursdays/Fridays: Customer pickup prep/coordination, and home (and B2B) delivery execution and coordination. Potential to assist with staffing pickup/popup events (daytime or evening) but this is not a requirement for the role.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

March 27, 2026