Effective preparation for the Operations Manager role requires a balance of self-reflection and business analysis. You must be prepared to articulate not just what you have done, but how you think about operational excellence.

Strategic Thinking – You need to demonstrate an ability to see the "big picture." Interviewers want to know that you understand how your operational decisions impact the company's bottom line and the user experience.

Process Optimization – You should be ready to discuss specific methodologies you use to identify bottlenecks. Focus on examples where you turned a disorganized process into a scalable, efficient workflow.

Stakeholder Management – Because this role sits at the intersection of teams, you must show that you can influence others without direct authority. Prepare examples of how you have successfully communicated complex changes to cross-functional partners.

Cultural Alignment – Malt values benevolence and transparency. Ensure your answers reflect a collaborative spirit and a focus on long-term, sustainable growth rather than just "quick wins."

The hiring process for an Operations Manager at Malt typically prioritizes a balance of candidate experience and rigorous assessment. You should expect a multi-stage journey that moves from initial screening to deeper functional discussions. The company prides itself on avoiding overly "interrogative" styles, preferring a conversational approach that allows them to get to know you as a professional and as a teammate.

The visual timeline above maps the typical progression from the initial HR screen to the final management interviews. Use this to pace your preparation; treat each stage as an opportunity to demonstrate a different facet of your expertise, from high-level operational strategy to day-to-day execution.

Process Design and Execution

This area is the core of your potential impact. Interviewers are looking for evidence that you can build systems that last.

Be ready to go over:

• How you map out current workflows.
• Tools and frameworks you use for project management (e.g., Notion, Jira, or proprietary systems).
• How you handle "technical debt" in operational processes.

Example scenarios:

• "Walk us through a time you identified a major inefficiency in a process."
• "How do you ensure documentation stays updated as a process evolves?"

Data-Driven Decision Making

As an Operations Manager, your intuition must be backed by metrics.

Be ready to go over:

• Which KPIs are most critical for a marketplace business.
• How you present data to non-technical stakeholders.
• Using data to justify a change in strategy.

Example scenarios:

• "What metrics would you look at to assess the health of our onboarding process?"
• "Describe a time your data analysis led to a change in the team's direction."

As an Operations Manager, you are the owner of the "how" at Malt. Your primary responsibility is to ensure that the company’s operations are scalable and efficient, which involves constant iteration. You will frequently work alongside the sales, product, and marketing teams to ensure that the user journey is frictionless.

You will be expected to:

• Identify and remove operational silos that hinder cross-team collaboration.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to leadership.
• Drive internal projects, such as improving CRM processes or optimizing customer support workflows.
• Act as a bridge between high-level company strategy and the teams executing on the ground.

A competitive candidate for this role possesses a blend of hands-on experience and a strategic mindset. While you do not need to be a software engineer, a high level of comfort with digital tools and data analysis is essential.

• Must-have skills: Proven experience in operations or project management, strong analytical skills (Excel/SQL knowledge is often highly valued), and a high level of fluency in French and English.
• Nice-to-have skills: Experience working in a marketplace or SaaS environment, familiarity with CRM tools, and a background in scaling startup processes.
• Soft skills: Exceptional communication, empathy, and the ability to maintain composure under pressure.

Q: How long does the process take? A: While it can vary, the process generally spans a few weeks. Expect a rhythm that allows for thoughtful reflection between stages.

Q: Is the interview process very technical? A: It is more operational than technical. You will be tested on your logic and your ability to manage complex tasks rather than your ability to write code.

Q: What is the most important thing to show in the interview? A: Show that you care about the "why" behind your work. Malt values candidates who are thoughtful, collaborative, and genuinely interested in the freelance economy.

• Research the Marketplace: Understand the specific challenges of a two-sided marketplace (freelancers vs. clients) and come prepared with ideas on how to improve the experience for both.
• Be Concise: When answering questions, use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to keep your responses structured and impactful.
• Ask Insightful Questions: Use the end of your interviews to ask about the team’s current biggest operational challenge. This shows you are already thinking like a member of the team.
• Follow up: A polite, concise follow-up email after each round is standard and reflects your professional communication style.

The Operations Manager position at Malt is a high-visibility, high-impact role that offers the chance to shape the backbone of a leading European tech company. By focusing your preparation on demonstrating strong operational logic, data-driven decision-making, and a collaborative mindset, you will position yourself as a standout candidate.

Take the time to reflect on your past experiences, specifically those where you turned chaos into order, and be ready to share those stories with confidence. You have the potential to contribute significantly to the Malt mission; prepare thoroughly, stay authentic, and approach the process with a focus on how you can add value from day one.