Operations Product Manager at Rhythm Energy in Houston, TX

Job description

• Rhythm is building the future of home electrification and energy independence, and we’re looking for an Operations Product Manager to help turn that vision into a seamless customer experience.
• You’ll own the end-to-end operational process for some of Rhythm’s newest offerings, starting with our Battery Program and expanding to additional programs as we launch new products. From installer assignment through system activation and ongoing performance, you’ll make sure the people, partners, processes, and systems behind each program work together effectively.
• This is a highly cross-functional and externally facing role. You’ll build and manage relationships with installation partners, equipment manufacturers, utilities, permitting authorities, and distributors while partnering internally with Product, Program, VPP, Portfolio, and other teams.
• You’ll also monitor the health and performance of our active battery fleet, identify and resolve operational issues, and use data and KPIs to help us understand how our programs are performing and where we can improve.
• This is a great opportunity for someone who combines strong program management, partner management, analytical thinking, and operational ownership and wants to help build processes that can scale as Rhythm’s product portfolio grows.
• Within your first 12 months, success in this role will look like:
• Battery installations move efficiently from installer assignment through Permission to Operate and system activation.
• Rhythm has strong, productive relationships with installers, equipment manufacturers, utilities, permitting authorities, and distribution partners.
• Operational issues are identified early, clearly owned, and driven through resolution.
• Battery systems are accurately enrolled and monitored, with strong visibility into fleet health and performance.
• Demand Response reporting and program data are accurate, complete, and delivered on time.
• Program KPIs provide clear visibility into operational performance and help identify opportunities for improvement.
• Operational processes become more scalable and repeatable as Rhythm grows its Battery Program and launches additional products.

Responsibilities

• Program Operations & Execution
• Own and manage the end-to-end operational process for Rhythm’s programs, starting with the Battery Program and expanding to future product launches.
• Manage the installer process from assignment through Permission to Operate (PTO), coordinating with installation partners to keep projects moving and resolve issues.
• Manage system enrollment into Kinergy, our battery management platform, collaborating with battery equipment manufacturers as needed.
• Identify operational bottlenecks, dependencies, and opportunities to improve processes as programs scale.
• Help build repeatable workflows, documentation, and operating processes that can support future product launches.
• Partner & Vendor Management
• Build and manage strong relationships with installation partners, equipment manufacturers, utilities, local permitting authorities, and other external partners.
• Work with utility partners and permitting authorities to help move permitting and approval processes forward.
• Manage the relationship with our equipment distributor, ensuring equipment is paid for ahead of requested delivery and coordinating closely with installation partners.
• Drive issues through resolution across internal and external stakeholders rather than simply handing them off.
• Fleet Performance & VPP Operations
• Monitor fleet health and system status to ensure batteries are online and operating as expected.
• Partner with equipment manufacturers and installers to quickly investigate and resolve system issues.
• Monitor battery scheduling within Kinergy to ensure systems are operating consistently with the strategy established by our VPP and Portfolio teams.
• Support Demand Response reporting, ensuring data is accurate, complete, and delivered on time.
• Data, Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collect, monitor, and communicate key performance indicators across the program.
• Use operational data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide data and reporting to support Sales and other business needs.
• Partner closely with Product, Program, VPP, Portfolio, and other teams to maintain visibility into program performance and operational priorities.
• Communicate clearly across teams and partners to keep projects moving and ensure accountability.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in program management, vendor management, partner management, operations, or a related function.
• Experience working within the Texas retail energy market.
• Experience working with distributed energy resources (DERs) such as batteries, generators, EVs, or other demand response technologies.
• Demonstrated experience managing external partners, vendors, or other third-party relationships.
• Strong program and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, dependencies, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues and drive them through resolution.
• Excellent communication skills and the professional maturity to work effectively across internal teams and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail and an ownership mindset in a fast-moving environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with permitting, interconnection, utility approvals, or Permission to Operate processes.
• Experience supporting battery, VPP, Demand Response, or other DER programs.
• Experience monitoring distributed asset or fleet performance.
• Training or enablement experience.
• Experience using AI tools to improve operational workflows, analysis, or productivity.

Skills

Required

• Program management
• Vendor management
• Partner management
• Operations
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Ownership mindset

Preferred

• Training or enablement experience

Benefits

• Build something new. Help shape the operational foundation behind Rhythm’s Battery Program and future energy products.
• Real ownership. Own critical processes and partner relationships from installation through activation and ongoing performance.
• Work at the center of the energy transition. Gain hands-on exposure to batteries, VPPs, Demand Response, utilities, and distributed energy resources.
• Cross-functional exposure. Work closely with Product, Program, VPP, Portfolio, Sales, and external partners across the energy ecosystem.
• Meaningful impact. Your work directly influences how quickly customers get up and running and how reliably our programs operate.
• Professional growth. Join a fast-moving environment where you’ll have the opportunity to expand your scope as Rhythm launches new products.
• Competitive benefits. We offer premium medical coverage, flexible time off, and benefits designed to support you and your family.