Orla Lucey

Fractional COO & Supply Chain Consultant for early stage companies

I help early stage companies grow by improving their operations and supply chain processes.

Hi there, I’m Orla Lucey.

I started my career managing complex supply chains for Fortune 500 companies like Maxell and Analog Devices. I then moved into executive leadership positions at fast-growing startups, where I played a critical role in two successful exits. (Latch and August Home).

Throughout my 25-year career, I’ve been a proven leader and management innovator known for successfully navigating change and exceeding financial goals. I specialize in offering strategic consulting services to early-stage companies and supporting them as they grow through strategic planning and process optimization.

Are you interested in working together? Contact me.

“Orla helped to build accountability in a young organization with big dreams, pushing us to check assumptions, plan more effectively, and create a backup plan always.”

Lee Collier - VP of Program Management @ OURA

How I can help your startup grow.

As your fractional operations executive, I can improve your business at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire. I am strongly biased towards action and will always roll up my sleeves to get things done.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Do you need a seasoned partner to help with business strategy, process improvement, and day-to-day operations management?

Types of initiatives I can help you with:

Operational Strategy Development: Crafting and implementing operational strategies tailored to the unique needs of hardware electronics startups.
Process Optimization: Streamlining processes to improve efficiency and reduce manufacturing and supply chain management costs.
Project Management: Overseeing projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
Team Leadership and Development: Building and leading cross-functional teams, providing mentorship and training to enhance team performance.
Financial Oversight: Managing budgets, forecasting, and financial planning to ensure the financial health of the startup.
Product Development Guidance: Advising on product design, prototyping, and development to align with market needs and technological trends.
Supply Chain Management: Establishing and managing supplier relationships and ensuring efficient procurement and logistics.
Market Entry Strategy: Developing strategies for entering new markets and expanding the customer base.
Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring adherence to industry regulations and managing hardware development and production risks.
Technology Integration: Advising on the integration of new technologies and systems to enhance operational capabilities

Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO)

Do you need an experienced negotiator to help you manage your supply chain stack to meet your service, quality, and cost objectives?

Types of initiatives I can help you with:

Strategic Supply Chain Planning: Crafting and executing tailored strategies to streamline your supply chain, enhance efficiency, and align with your business goals.
Process Improvement: Identifying and implementing process enhancements to boost productivity and reduce operational bottlenecks.
Supplier and Vendor Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure reliable and cost-effective procurement.
Inventory Management: Developing and optimizing inventory strategies to balance supply and demand, minimize excess stock, and reduce carrying costs.
Risk Management: Assessing potential risks in the supply chain and implementing mitigation strategies to safeguard against disruptions.
Technology Integration: Advising on and facilitating the integration of advanced technologies and automation solutions to modernize your supply chain operations.
Cost Reduction Strategies: Analyzing and optimizing supply chain costs to enhance profitability while maintaining high-quality standards.
Market and Demand Analysis: Conducting comprehensive market research and demand forecasting to drive informed decision-making and strategic planning.

Operations and Supply Chain Consulting

Do you have a specific need or problem that needs solving? I can work with you on a defined project basis that is flexible in timing and cost. This is a great way to augment your existing team.

Company Advisor

Every company can benefit from strategic advisors. I can be your veteran sounding board and provide guidance on everything from organizational design to scaling operations after funding. Tap into my 25 years of operations experience.

“Orla is exceptionally talented. Her knowledge of Supply Chain Management, along with technical skills and ability to work with and lead teams would make her a valuable asset to any operations team.”

Manu Dhanwantri - Senior Director of Finance @ Blackhawk Network

Is hiring me as a fractional executive right for your company?

It makes sense to consider me if:

You are building a complex electro-mechanical hardware product that is beyond the scope of your existing team
You want to scale your company and don’t yet have the rigorous processes required for sustained growth
You are looking to inject subject matter expertise into your operations or supply chains teams but are tight on budget
You feel stuck managing the day-to-day operations and never have time for more strategic work

If any of these situations sound familiar, we should connect!

Contact Me

I’m ready to help grow your business. Let’s chat.