Operations Coordinator

Do you love talking to people and have a passion for travel and being active outdoors? Do you have a deep-rooted desire to help others and prepare them for a positive active travel experience of their own?  Do you have great attention to detail and you’re comfortable working in a fast-paced environment? If you answered yes to these three questions, we may have an opportunity for you! 

Job Title: Operations Coordinator (Loads & Facility – Tuscany Hub)
Location: San Giovanni Valdarno, Tuscany, Italy (with travel across major Italian regions and occasional trips to European hubs ≈ 5–7 weeks/year)
Reports To: Operations Lead, Italy
Job Overview
As a full-time Operations Coordinator at Backroads’ Tuscany Hub, you are responsible for coordinating ground warehouse operations and execution of the hub’s yearly operational cycle.

Acting as the bridge between planning and execution, you ensure that equipment, spaces, and workflows are always organized, functional, and ready to support field operations.

This role plays a central part in ensuring that the hub operates efficiently across both Unit Loads (season start) and End-of-Season Maintenance – EOSM (season end).

You’ll also play a key role in fostering cross-hub collaboration—especially with our French and Czech load team—to align on shared inventory and transport logistics. If you thrive on solving operational puzzles, have a hands-on approach, love active travel culture, and enjoy working in a collaborative international environment, we’d love to meet you.
Key Responsibilities
Warehouse & Inventory Management

• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized warehouse
• Manage inventory, storage systems, and equipment tracking
• Receive and dispatch materials and packages
• Ensure clear storage standards and efficient material flow
• Continuously improve warehouse layout, organization, and accessibility
• Ensure all equipment is correctly staged and ready for operations

Unit Load & EOSM Execution
This role is central to both phases of the operational cycle:
Unit Loads (Season Start)

• Prepare and stage equipment based on Unit Load plans
• Support loading operations and ensure execution aligns with planning
• Assist Field Staff during load days
• Ensure clarity, completeness, and efficiency during loading

End-of-Season Maintenance (EOSM)

• Coordinate return and unloading of all equipment (vans, bikes, unit inventory)
• Ensure proper inventory, organization, and tracking of all returned materials
• Support maintenance processes (cleaning, repair, reallocation)
• Reset warehouse and operational environment for the following season

Facility Coordination & Maintenance

• Ensure daily functionality of all hub spaces
• Maintain clean, safe, and functional work environments
• Perform hands-on fixes and small repairs using basic tools
• Identify opportunities to improve facility usability and efficiency
• Coordinate small-scale facility improvements and external contractors

Team Leadership

• Assist to Lead and to coordinate Seasonal Operations Coordinators or staff on temporary assignments
• Provide structure, guidance, and support to seasonal staff
• Ensure consistency and quality of execution across operations
• Promote a collaborative and structured working environment

Collaboration & Communication
Work closely with:

• Operations Lead – Unit Load planning
• Fleet Coordinator – vehicle readiness & availability
• Support clear execution of Unit Load assignments
• Act as a point of contact for Field Staff during load operations
• Collaborate with European hubs on planning, inventory and logistics alignment

Travel Flexibility

• Provide on-site operations support in Italy or other European hubs during peak periods (≈ 5–7 weeks/year)

Qualifications

• Operations Experience: 2+ years in warehouse, logistics, facility, or operational roles
• Hands-On Approach: Comfortable with physical work and basic repairs
• Problem Solving: Practical, proactive, and solution-oriented
• Organization: Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Driving Skills: Valid driver’s license and confidence driving vans and trailers
• Technical Skills: Comfortable with Excel and operational tools
• Communication: Fluent English and Italian
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

About Backroads:

At Backroads we’re passionate about connecting our guests with so many of the most beautiful places in the world. We use our four-plus decades of expertise to create exceptional biking, hiking, and multi-adventure trips in over 50 countries for people wanting a deeper and richer travel experience. We travel on land as well as by small luxury ships on active river and ocean cruises. Our trips are for all ages – including dedicated itineraries just for families. We are known for our unwavering attention to quality. We have a dynamic work environment and a strong company culture.

Why Backroads:

At Backroads, we value every single member of our staff, and we’re proud to offer a dynamic work environment that enables growth. Your colleagues will be some of the most dedicated, competent, active, and fun people you will ever meet. A job at Backroads is unlike any other job you will ever have – you will be challenged, you will be inspired, and you will be gratified. No matter what you do here, you will be part of something that makes us all proud – delivering authentic, enriching, and often profoundly life-changing experiences.

Backroads is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.