General Manager / COO – Europe | E-Commerce Venture

Build a New European E-Commerce Business from the Ground Up

Location: Netherlands preferred

Work Model: Flexible / Hybrid with regular European travel

Industry: E-commerce / Consumer Marketplace

About the Opportunity

An established U.S.-based consumer business is preparing to launch a new, standalone European e-commerce operation.

The European business will be online-only, with no physical retail locations, and will initially focus on one European market before expanding into additional countries.

We already have an established business model in the United States, initial supplier relationships in Europe, and active sourcing capabilities across multiple countries.

We are now looking for an entrepreneurial General Manager / COO for Europe to build and operate the European business from the ground up.

This is not a traditional COO position where you inherit an established organization. You will start with the founder's strategy, capital, supplier relationships and existing industry knowledge—and be responsible for turning that foundation into a functioning European business.

What You Will Own

Build the organization. Recruit and lead the initial European team, including regulatory/compliance, logistics, online sales and customer operations.

Launch the first European market. Translate the founder's strategy into a detailed operating plan with timelines, budgets, responsibilities and measurable objectives.

Own the P&L. Establish budgets, unit economics, revenue targets and operating KPIs and ultimately take responsibility for the financial performance of the European operation.

Build the online sales organization. Develop a high-performing remote sales operation capable of converting online inquiries through phone, WhatsApp, video and other digital channels.

Develop the logistics network. Establish reliable supplier-to-customer transportation and fulfillment processes across European markets.

Lead regulatory execution. Work with internal compliance personnel and external legal advisers to ensure the company operates appropriately within the regulatory, consumer protection, e-commerce, transportation and other requirements of each market.

Build scalable processes. Establish SOPs, technology requirements, reporting, customer-service standards and operational controls that allow the business to expand efficiently into additional European countries.

Manage supplier operations. Develop supplier onboarding, quality standards, documentation requirements and ongoing performance management.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate has experience building or scaling an e-commerce, marketplace, consumer or logistics business and is comfortable operating across multiple European markets.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

Personally built and recruited teams

Launched new markets, business units or companies

Managed e-commerce or marketplace operations

Owned a P&L

Managed complex logistics or fulfillment

Built or managed online sales/customer acquisition funnels

Strong KPI and analytical management skills

Experience working across multiple European countries

Experience working directly with founders or entrepreneurs

Excellent English; additional European languages are highly valued

Willingness to travel regularly throughout Europe

Industry-specific experience is not required.

We care considerably more about finding an exceptional builder and operator than someone coming from a particular industry.

This Role Is Different

This position is probably not appropriate for someone looking for a traditional corporate COO role supported by large HR, legal, finance, technology and operations departments.

We are looking for someone who enjoys building.

During the early stages, you should be comfortable personally interviewing candidates, negotiating with service providers, working with legal advisers, reviewing customer journeys, solving operational problems and establishing processes yourself.

As the business grows, your role will evolve from building the operation to leading the organization you created.

First 90 Days

During the first 30 days, you will validate the operating model, develop the initial market launch plan, finalize the organizational structure and begin recruiting the core team.

During days 30–60, you will begin hiring key leadership positions, establish logistics and compliance processes, develop the sales and customer journey, and establish technology and reporting requirements.

During days 60–90, you will move toward launch readiness, train the initial team, establish supplier onboarding and fulfillment processes, and prepare the first market for commercial launch.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, you will have created a repeatable operating model encompassing:

Supplier Network → E-Commerce Platform → Online Sales → Compliance → Logistics → Customer → Retention & Referral

The objective is to prove the model in the initial market and establish the infrastructure necessary to expand into additional European countries.

Reporting & Opportunity

You will report directly to the Founder/CEO and have significant autonomy in building the European operation.

This position is intended to become the senior operating leadership role for the European business as it expands.

Compensation will include a competitive base salary and performance-based compensation. Long-term incentive participation may be available for an exceptional candidate.