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Yaroslav Yefremov

Chief Operating Officer (COO) · Engineering-Driven Management · Process Optimization · Procurement & Logistics · Team Leadership

An operations leader with 12+ years of experience combining an engineering mindset, financial ownership and hands-on management. I build the processes, teams and management systems that deliver predictable results.

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12+ years in leadershipTeams up to 30Military service 2010, 2014No deferment requiredKyiv, Ukraine

Executive Summary

An operations leader with 12+ years of experience, combining engineering thinking with strong management competencies. I analyze complex tasks systematically, break them into distinct processes, find technical and organizational solutions and drive them to a practical result.

I have built operating models and managed budgets, procurement, logistics and multidisciplinary teams of up to 30 people. I set up clear processes, policies and systems of control and accountability, optimize resource use and deliver projects on schedule.

I have a solid grasp of the technical side of projects: equipment, electronics, network infrastructure, prototyping, power and unmanned systems. This lets me evaluate technical solutions professionally, define requirements, speak the same language as engineers and suppliers, and make well-grounded management decisions.

I combine technical expertise, financial ownership and hands-on management.

Management Expertise

Management & Operational Expertise

Strategic & Operational ManagementOrganizational DevelopmentPlanning & PrioritizationBusiness Process Design & OptimizationInternal Policies & ProceduresBudget & Resource ManagementRisk & Change ManagementOperational Efficiency ControlScaling Operations & New Directions

Project & Grant Expertise

Project, Program & Portfolio ManagementProject Cycle ManagementProject Design & PlanningGrant Program ManagementProject & Grant DocumentationBudgeting & Fund-Use ControlManaging Timelines, Resources & DeliverablesProject Monitoring & EvaluationProgram & Financial ReportingDonor Compliance

Procurement & Logistics Expertise

Procurement Planning & OrganizationTender & Competitive ProceduresTechnical SpecificationsTender DocumentationMarket & Bid AnalysisSupplier Selection & VettingNegotiation & Contract TermsSupply Chain ManagementTransport, Warehouse & Humanitarian LogisticsProcurement Compliance & Audit Readiness

Analytical & Methodological Expertise

Business Process Analysis & OptimizationKPI & Performance ManagementOKRResults-Based Management (RBM)Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)SWOT AnalysisRoot Cause AnalysisWBS & Gantt ChartsRACIRAID AnalysisRisk RegisterManagement Reporting & Dashboards

Leadership & Team Management

Team Building & CoordinationGoal Setting & Execution ControlRole & Responsibility AllocationDelegation of AuthorityMotivation & Staff DevelopmentManaging Cross-Functional TeamsRunning Work Meetings & Strategic SessionsConflict ResolutionChange ManagementDecisions Under Uncertainty

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

Donor & Partner Relationship ManagementCoordination with Government & CommunitiesEngagement with NGOs & International OrganizationsNegotiations & Business MeetingsStrategic Partnership DevelopmentAligning Interests of Multiple PartiesRepresenting the Organization at Meetings & EventsPresentations & Official CommunicationCross-Sector & Inter-Organizational Coordination

Technical & Digital Expertise

Technical Expertise

Systems Engineering & Technical AnalysisElectronics, Electrical & Embedded SystemsDesign & PrototypingUnmanned & Robotic SystemsNetwork & Telecom InfrastructurePower & Battery SystemsTechnical Documentation & RequirementsTechnical Evaluation & Equipment Procurement

International & Financial Operations

International Procurement & LogisticsCustoms Operations & DocumentationIncoterms & International Delivery TermsInternational & Digital Settlements: SWIFT, USDTCurrency ControlFinancial Monitoring & Compliance

Digital Skills

IT & Systems AdministrationOffice & Project ToolsData & AnalyticsGraphic Design & Media ProductionWeb Technologies & Digital PlatformsAI Tools & Cloud Services

Professional Experience

2024 – 2025

Kyiv

Operations Director

Charitable Foundation "Kozak Drive"

Operational Management

Built and coordinated the organization's day-to-day work: logistics, procurement, finance, communications and legal.
Designed and implemented internal processes so the foundation ran fast, transparently and without delays.
Organized collaboration between volunteers, partners and contractors.

Procurement & Financial Control

Ran the full procurement cycle: from needs analysis and supplier sourcing to contract signing and delivery control.
Prepared tenders, technical requirements, comparison tables, protocols and contracts.
Controlled cash flow and prepared budgeting and financial reports for donors and grant providers.
Ensured transparent work with sole proprietors and LLCs, tax compliance and audit readiness.

Logistics & Supply

Organized delivery of vehicles, drones, generators, humanitarian kits and equipment to military units and communities.
Negotiated with suppliers, logistics providers and international partners.
Ensured quality control, document flow and timely receipt and handover of aid.

International Projects & Grants

Ran projects for UNICEF, ISAR “Yednannia”, international charitable foundations and donors.
Worked with PCA/PD documents, report preparation and donor compliance.
Prepared strategic documents, applications, budgets and final reports.

Fundraising & Communications

Launched large-scale fundraising and media campaigns; worked with influencers and opinion leaders.
Led official communications with communities, military units and government bodies.
Maintained the foundation's brand, building trust and reputation.

Partner & Stakeholder Management

Built systematic relationships with the military, regional administrations, communities, international organizations, business and media.
Prepared letters, certificates, memoranda, letters of recommendation and official correspondence.
Brought in new supporters and coordinated joint projects.

Crisis & Rapid Response

Resolved non-standard situations on the fly: urgent procurement, logistics disruptions, changing technical requirements.
Made management decisions under time pressure with minimal information.

2022 – 2024

Kyiv

Deputy Director

Charitable Foundation "Volunteers.UA"

Processed supply requests from military and civilians.
Managed procurement across Ukraine and Europe with control at every stage.
Ran the foundation's document flow and reporting.
Prepared presentations for donors.
Set up in-house production of components on 3D printers for the military, with quality control and deadline compliance.
Created and managed web resources and SMM tools to promote the foundation's work.

2017 – 2021

woxs.ua

IT Project Manager

Digital Agency

Built project roadmaps and coordinated delivery phase by phase.
Met with clients to identify their needs and goals.
Shaped promotion strategies aligned to client objectives.
Assigned tasks to specialists and controlled their execution.
Introduced document flow and managed team resources.
Led negotiations and signed contracts with the company's clients.
Prepared and delivered technical-commercial proposals, presentations and new company projects.
Recruited and trained staff; managed a team of up to 30 people.
Acquired new clients and drove the company's growth strategy.

2014 – 2017

new-device.com.ua

Retail Operations Manager

Electronics & Electrical Equipment

Sales

Signed contracts and controlled fulfilment of contractual obligations.
Delivered the sales plan and profit growth.
Built and grew the client base.
Controlled settlements with counterparties and receivables.
Studied market conditions and demand.
Prepared monthly and annual reporting on key metrics.
Analyzed sales results and service quality; built a talent pipeline.

Marketing

Maintained and updated the corporate website.
Ran SEO and set up ad campaigns in social media and search engines.
Developed and ran PR campaigns.

Additional

Administrative and operational management of the network.
Conflict resolution and work with regulatory bodies.
Cash collection and cash-discipline control.
Sourced commercial real estate for network expansion and signed leases.
Recruited staff and designed motivation systems.
Ran meetings and presentations.
Administered every stage of opening a new retail location, from design to launch.

Earlier: Lead Apple Hardware Engineer, LIME STORE (2012–2014).

Industries

Humanitarian AidGrant-funded ProgramsEngineeringInformation TechnologyTelecommunicationsElectronicsRetail & E-commerceManufacturingMedia ProductionDrone TechnologiesRobotics