Business Operations Manager

Add expected salary to your profile for insights Location: Hybrid/Remote – Melbourne, VIC Reports to: Founders Works closely with: CFO, Accountants, Marketing Manager, Product & Operations Manager Team managed: HR/Payroll, Finance Admin, Bookkeeping, and Administrative Support Role Purpose The Business Operations Manager is the backbone of Xali’s internal operations — responsible for ensuring the business runs efficiently, legally, and profitably, while nurturing a high-performing, values-driven team culture. You will lead people and performance across the company, implementing systems and structure that help our staff succeed. From HR and payroll compliance to financial reporting, legal governance, and KPI management, you’ll ensure every team member and process operates at a high standard. This is a leadership role for a commercially minded operator who thrives on accountability, clear processes, and empowering teams to deliver results. Key Responsibilities 1. People & HR Management Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes. Maintain and refine HR policies, contracts, and compliance documentation. Manage performance reviews, job descriptions, and training systems. Implement and optimise HRIS / payroll systems. Handle HR-related legal matters, including Fair Work compliance and employment documentation. Maintain all staff records and ensure compliance with company and regulatory requirements. Manage company-wide people performance, ensuring every staff member has clear KPIs and development goals. Lead quarterly and annual review cycles, ensuring consistent performance feedback and accountability. Coach and support department leads (Marketing, Product, Operations, etc.) in managing their own teams effectively. Oversee team planning, headcount forecasting, and succession planning with founders. Lead culture and engagement initiatives that build motivation, collaboration, and retention. Uphold company values and maintain a positive, transparent, and high-performance culture. 3. Finance Operations Oversee all internal financial administration, ensuring accurate data flow to CFO/accountants. Own company banking, credit cards, PayPal, Wise, and payment system governance. Ensure all expenses, invoices, and payroll are processed accurately and on time. Collaborate with the CFO on monthly reporting packs, cash flow, and cost-tracking dashboards. Identify inefficiencies or process gaps in financial systems and implement improvements. Manage company compliance calendar — ASIC filings, insurance renewals, IP/trademarks, and contracts. Maintain all documentation for trademarks, formulations, and manufacturing agreements. Support compliance for international operations (EU/US import/export, product registrations). Ensure risk management, NDAs, and confidentiality agreements are maintained across all staff and partners. 5. Administration & Team Management Recruit, train, and manage admin support staff (bookkeeper, HR assistant, EA, etc.). Support leadership with hiring plans, org chart updates, and team structure alignment. 6. Operational Excellence Build scalable procedures across HR, finance, and admin to support 2–3× growth. Lead operational projects such as new system rollouts, cost analysis, and automation. Maintain and monitor operational KPI dashboards (costs, headcount, turnover, compliance deadlines). Experience & Attributes 5+ years in senior operations, people, or business management roles (eCommerce, FMCG, or retail preferred). Proven ability to lead and coach teams, manage performance, and uphold accountability. Deep understanding of HR, payroll, compliance, and finance operations. Experience working cross-functionally with CFOs, accountants, and department heads. Excellent systems thinker with proficiency in Xero, KeyPay, Asana/Notion, and HRIS platforms. Highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented with strong follow-through. Strategic mindset with commercial awareness and people-first leadership style. Success in this Role Looks Like HR, payroll, and finance systems run seamlessly with minimal founder involvement. Every team member has clarity on their role, KPIs, and performance expectations. Leadership team feels supported, accountable, and empowered. All compliance and reporting deadlines are met proactively. Founders and CFO receive timely, accurate information to make strategic decisions. The business operates smoothly, efficiently, and with a strong culture of accountability and care. Application Questions Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia? How many years' experience do you have as a Business Operations Manager? How many years of retail management experience do you have? How many years of payroll experience do you have? How many years of accounting experience do you have? Do you have experience using Xero? What's your expected annual base salary? #J-18808-Ljbffr