# Blake Samic

> Head of Product Operations at OpenAI. Formerly led the function at Uber and Stripe

Building connective tissue for scaling tech companies. I’m currently Head of Product Operations at OpenAI.

Previously founded the Product Ops function at Uber and Stripe—two of the most prolific scaling companies during their hypergrowth phases.

Product Ops accelerates a company’s ability to deliver more value to more users—shortening the distance to product-market fit and systematizing for scale. This happens by:
(1) Streamlining core processes and systems that add leverage for a product org (planning, product/GTM alignment, beta/launch, user feedback)
(2) Bringing new products/features into operation through efficient cross-functional and user coordination

I’m passionate about supercharging collaboration across functions to accelerate technology business success. Nearly any tech company can benefit from stronger product org operations, tighter user connection, and clearer alignment between product and go-to-market.

Things I can advise on:
• Strengthening the Product/GTM connection
• How to leverage generative AI in product development
• Product org design and structure
• Company and product org planning processes
• Hiring & managing high-performing teams
• Creating a shared product roadmap
• Synthesizing and prioritizing user feedback to reach PMF
• Global product launch and scaling
• Establishing roles, responsibilities, and processes across functions
• Creating a library of shared playbooks and templates
• Fostering a writing/sharing culture to enable async collaboration
• General lessons from Uber & Stripe

More about my background:
At Stripe, my team led or supported 200+ betas and launches annually, ensuring smooth experiences for users and user-facing employees. We managed Stripe-wide processes like launch readiness (key for compliance & IPO prep), the top-user-asks pipeline, and the product launch calendar. I led bi-weekly C-Suite meetings for over two years to ensure exec visibility into all major launches, delays, and risks.

At Uber, my team built the connective tissue between product and global operations teams across 600+ cities. We surfaced product insights from the field, validated global product fit, and managed launches and ongoing ops. Before Product Ops, I led Uber’s global driver devices program, managing cross-functional teams with P&L ownership—regularly presenting to the CEO and Head of Operations. Our work saved millions and enabled Uber to scale sustainably.

Before Uber, I led Product Management at a Series C SaaS startup (acquired) and started my career in GE’s leadership program with rotations in China and Europe.

What others have said:

"Product operations is IMO very essential for a fast-scaling product & business. One problem is that it's defined differently everywhere. Product operations leaders like Blake Samic know what they are doing, so I am very bullish on the product operations role over the long term.”
— Shreyas Doshi, PM industry thought leader

"The principal thing is following your users. No one really talks about how… We have a very high performing, scaled Product Ops team… aggregating the asks we get from all channels. The key part is closing the loop. In every product review we now have a top ten list of what users want, and we’re clear on what’s committed or uncommitted.”
— CPO of Stripe

"Product Ops is Uber’s secret aorta. We have built the world’s fastest growing company through a strategy of radical decentralization—and by investing in the entrepreneurial hustle of Ops teams in cities around the world. Product Ops is the connective tissue that allows this strategy to thrive while we also build out the highly scalable 'heart' of our technology platform."
— Sr Product Director, Uber

"Product Ops add a ton and make our whole org work better/faster."
— VP Operations, Uber

**Rating:** 5/5 (30 reviews)

## Offerings

- Video call (15 min): $300.00

## Example Questions

- I’m thinking of starting a company. What are the next few things I should focus on?
- How do I know if my business idea will work?
- How would you approach growth for my business?
- What key metrics should I aim for at different stages to be a best in class company?

## Links

- [Expert profile](/blakesamic)
- [Avatar](https://media.intro.co/avatars/4781263vv2XH52.jpg)
- [Marketplace](/marketplace)