Apkudo & the Role

Apkudo is a rapidly scaling software- and robotics- as a service company focused on transforming reverse logistics for mobile phones and other connected devices. Our business is scaling rapidly through strategic partnerships with OEMs, Carriers, 3PLs, Marketplaces, and Retailers. This role would be part of the Corporate Development team, which has responsibility for evaluating and building new strategic initiatives and partnerships to fuel our growth.

As the Senior Program Manager focused on Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, you will own and scale Apkudo’s highest-impact strategic initiatives – transforming our business, scaling strategic partnerships, launching new products, etc. You are an executor and operator with the technical knowledge and program management skills to scale strategic opportunities from inception to launch and steady state. You will leverage your extensive experience managing initiatives, partnerships, and cross-functional teams to own outcomes, including launch speed, quality, throughput, and margin.

Location & Travel

Ideally candidates for this role will be located in the Dallas area, with up to 25% travel. This would be a hybrid role for a Dallas-based candidate: 2-3 days per week in office, with some flexibility. We would consider remote options for exceptional candidates willing to travel a bit more.

Compensation

The target compensation range for this position is $120-160K, depending on skills, experience, and location. In addition to cash compensation, there would be an equity grant.

Skills & Qualifications

• BA/BS in a relevant field; a STEM degree is a plus. MS or MBA a plus

• 5-7+ years of experience in Program Management

• 3+ years of experience in the mobile/connected device, consumer electronics reverse logistics, and/or SaaS industries is desired – either in a corporate or as a management consultant

• Technical acumen and domain experience in deploying hardware and/or systems in the supply chain industry

• Proactive, organized, process-driven, results-oriented, comfortable with ambiguity

• Expert with Program Management tools and AI tools

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong analytical/quantitative skills (Excel/Sheets required; SQL a plus)

• Field-first mindset; hands-on during installs, calibrations, and go-lives

• Comfort with contracting and commercial terms (SLAs/SOWs/term sheets)

• Experience “Nice to haves”:

  • Startup or high-growth company

  • Contract manufacturing, especially for robotics

  • Maintenance/services outsourcing

  • Managing partner operations in software and/or hardware

Responsibilities

• Own operations, delivery, and outcomes for key strategic initiatives, including:

  • Business transformations (e.g. our services / maintenance business)

  • Strategic partnerships in services, hardware / manufacturing, software, and financing (e.g. with contract manufacturers for our core robotic solutions)

  • New product launches / business development

  • Other strategic programs, initiatives, and special projects

  Taking the above initiatives from 0 to 1 and scaling them. More often than not, we would hand them off at steady state to the core business

• Driving to outcomes with flexibility and urgency

• End-to-end ownership from negotiations to pilot to steady state with accountability for internal, customer, and partner business requirements and KPIs

• Planning and driving the overall project plan, prioritizing, monitoring the progress and reporting status

• Proactively identifying and solving blockers

• Define, track, present, and ultimately own KPIs for tracking operational and financial performance, including updates to Executive team

• Assisting in commercial / contract negotiations