Operations Lead

People for People Foundation connects the business community to targeted humanitarian aid. We translate collective engagement into rapid, concrete action to restore lives in times of crisis. Founded by the founders of bunq, Picnic and Bird, we combine the power of the private sector to provide fast and targeted support to people affected by crises.

Whether it is arranging emergency transport for essential aid supplies within 48 hours or launching a nationwide campaign for thousands of children in crisis-affected areas: we believe in doing, learning and creating direct impact. No slow bureaucracy, but the speed of a tech scale-up.

As Operations Lead, you are responsible for overseeing operations, including supply chain management, warehouse management, volunteer management, emergency response efforts, and project logistics in the Netherlands and internationally. You ensure efficient workflows, seamless coordination, and effective execution across all areas of responsibility.

Because People for People is an agile crisis response organization, you will combine building smart processes (SOPs, data, and inventory management) with hands-on management during projects. You will work closely with the team, the volunteers, and external (logistic) partners to ensure relief goods arrive where they are needed most, fast and organized.

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• Impact & data: Maintaining quantitative supply chain data to analyze bottlenecks, optimize logistics, and make our impact transparent.

• Fleet management: Managing our company van (including scheduling, maintenance, and MOT inspections).

• Facilities & IT: Managing workstations, overseeing IT and digital security support, issuing hardware/laptops for the team and beneficiaries, and coordinating with building management (Picnic).

• Financial & operational administration: Overseeing day-to-day operational administration, including processing receipts and expense claims, managing volunteer allowances, and actively monitoring expenditures against the operational budget.

• Language skills: Fluent in English, with professional working proficiency in Dutch (comfortable communicating with Dutch warehouse partners, drivers, and local stakeholders).

• Driving ability: Valid driver's license and comfortable driving a manual transmission van.

• Experience: 7–10+ years of proven operational experience with a strong track record in operations, warehouse and supply chain management, and/or logistics.

• Sector background: Prior experience in an NGO or humanitarian aid organization is a strong plus.

• Technical proficiency: Skilled in project management tools (e.g., Trello) and software (e.g., Excel).

• Highly organized & process-oriented: You naturally bring clarity and structure to complex logistical environments. You know how to build lean, flexible SOPs that empower action without creating bureaucracy.

• Hands-on & practical: You lead from the front. Whether orchestrating truck dispatches or jumping on the warehouse floor during peak operations, you thrive in execution and get things done.

• Calm under pressure: In acute crisis relief, situations evolve rapidly. You stay grounded, make fast and sound operational decisions, and keep the team focused and steady amid ambiguity.

• Strong people leader: An inspiring, approachable leader who excels at motivating diverse groups, from corporate volunteers and warehouse staff to international drivers and community partners.

• Entrepreneurial & proactive: You possess an open mindset. You don't wait for instructions; you identify bottlenecks early, create pragmatic workarounds, and drive continuous improvement.

• Strategic thinker: While your boots are on the ground, your mind is on the horizon. As an MT member, you can zoom out to evaluate long-term capacity, optimize cost structures, and co-shape P4P’s strategic roadmap.

• Data-driven & resourceful: You leverage operational data and inventory metrics to maximize efficiency, eliminate waste, and stretch every humanitarian resource further.

If this sounds like the right fit for you, we’d love to hear from you! If there is a potential match, we will start with a short introductory call, followed by an interview to discuss how your experience aligns with the role and our mission.

At People for People, we celebrate diversity and consciously build an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and at home. We believe that a diverse team leads to better ideas and greater impact. Regardless of your background, origin, faith, gender, sexual orientation or age: your unique talent is welcome here.