Business Operations and FP&A

About Quartermaster

• Quartermaster is revolutionizing maritime domain awareness by transforming civilian and commercial vessels into a persistent, AI-powered sensing network.

• SmartMast™ technology provides real-time HD video, geolocation, and signal monitoring to detect illicit activities and make waterways safer globally.

• The company is scaling rapidly and building finance infrastructure to support aggressive growth while maintaining operational excellence.

• Seeking an analytically rigorous Operational FP&A Manager to serve as a strategic thought partner to the Head of Finance and Head of Operations.

• This role is instrumental in building the FP&A function from the ground up, focusing on operational metrics, unit economics, and hardware-enabled technology business drivers.

• The role bridges finance and operations, translating complex operational data into actionable financial insights for strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Help drive the annual budgeting process and quarterly reforecasting cycles, working with department heads to build bottoms-up financial plans aligned with strategic objectives.

• Prepare monthly variance analysis (actual vs. budget vs. forecast) with actionable insights, root cause identification, and data-driven recommendations.

• Develop and maintain robust financial models connecting operational drivers to financial outcomes, enabling scenario analysis and strategic decisions.

• Own the financial close-to-reporting timeline, working closely with accounting to accelerate insights delivery.

Operational Analytics & Unit Economics

• Partner with the Head of Operations to define, track, and analyze key operational metrics including hardware deployment costs, fulfillment logistics, installation efficiency, sensor network utilization, and customer acquisition costs.

• Build executive dashboards and operational scorecards highlighting operational performance and financial outcomes.

• Develop expertise in hardware unit economics: COGS breakdown (sensor hardware, installation, satellite communication), contribution margins by product/customer segment, and cash conversion cycles.

• Conduct margin optimization analyses across the value chain to improve gross margins through procurement, installation, or pricing strategies.

• Create operational forecasts that translate activity-based drivers into financial projections.

Strategic Business Partnering

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Operations leadership, translating operational plans into financial impacts and aiding resource allocation decisions.

• Build business cases for strategic initiatives including new market expansion, product development, capital investments, and partnerships.

• Support fundraising and investor relations efforts by preparing financial materials, scenario models, and data room documentation.

• Participate in cross-functional strategic planning sessions, providing financial perspective on priorities and growth opportunities.

• Identify and quantify risks and opportunities, conducting sensitivity analyses on key assumptions.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare monthly Board reporting packages communicating financial performance, operational KPIs, strategic initiatives, and risk factors.

• Develop data visualizations and presentations to make complex financial information accessible to different audiences.

• Create ad-hoc analyses in response to executive questions, investment opportunities, and strategic initiatives.

• Communicate financial insights with clarity, tailoring messaging to audiences from technical teams to Board members.

Systems & Process Leadership

• Design and implement scalable FP&A processes, tools, and best practices for the company's growth phase.

• Build and maintain integrated financial planning models connecting revenue drivers, operational metrics, headcount planning, and cash flow projections.

• Evaluate and possibly implement FP&A software platforms to enhance efficiency and analytical capabilities.

• Partner with accounting to ensure data integrity, establish single sources of truth, and streamline month-end close.

• Document processes and create a knowledge base to enable team scaling and business continuity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or quantitative field.

• 4-8 years of progressive FP&A experience, especially in high-growth startups, venture-backed, or operationally complex businesses.

• Expert-level Excel/Google Sheets skills including advanced modeling (complex formulas, pivots, scenario and sensitivity analysis).

• Strong understanding of SaaS metrics and hardware/logistics business models, including unit economics, cohort analysis, operational leverage.

• Demonstrated ability to build financial models from scratch and perform complex scenario analysis with minimal supervision.

• Proven experience partnering with operational leaders, bridging financial and operational metrics.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication, able to distill complex analyses into clear executive insights.

• Self-starter able to work independently, prioritize, and thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Demonstrated ownership mindset and ability to build processes from scratch.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, CFA, or CPA designation.

• Experience at a top-tier investment bank, consulting firm, or PE/VC-backed growth company.

• Hands-on experience with modern FP&A software platforms.

• SQL, Python, or R skills for data analysis, automation, and working with large datasets.

• Experience with BI tools for dashboard creation and data visualization.

• Prior experience in hardware, supply chain, logistics, or operationally intensive businesses.

• Experience with international operations, multi-currency management, or cross-border transactions.

• Track record of building FP&A functions from scratch in a scaling environment.

• Understanding of government contracting, defense industry dynamics, or maritime/security sectors (helpful but not required).

Why Join Quartermaster?

• High-impact role: Build the operational FP&A function from the ground up at a well-funded, rapidly scaling company.

• Growth trajectory: Fresh off a $40M Series A, aggressive expansion plans, and ambitious global vision.

• Leadership exposure: Direct partnership with Head of Finance, Head of Operations, and regular executive team interaction.

• Career development: Path to senior FP&A, operational leadership, or broader roles as the team scales; chance to build and mentor a team.

• Equity opportunity: Attractive equity package with participation in the company's future growth.

• Unique business model: Opportunity to work at the intersection of hardware, SaaS, AI, and maritime security.

• Mission-driven work: Contribute to global maritime safety and security with a collaborative team.

• Intellectual challenge: Complex business model requiring sophisticated analytics, operation, and strategic thinking.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary ($130,000 - $180,000 depending on qualifications and location).

• Meaningful equity grant with standard 4-year vesting and 1-year cliff.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with company contribution.

• 401(k) plan.

• Flexible PTO policy supporting work-life balance.

• Remote-friendly work environment with in-person time for strategic planning.

• Latest technology and tools to support your work.