Operations Manager (CPG)

About Brothers International Food Holdings, LLC:

Brothers International brings the world's best fruit to its customers. Our Ingredients divisions supply every major food and beverage manufacturer in North America with the fruits from the best growing regions of the world. Our CPG division sells market-leading branded and private label freeze-dried fruits to retailers nationwide.

We are seeking a full-time Operations Manager to join our talented team in our Rochester, NY headquarters!

Position Summary:

The Operations Manager will provide dynamic leadership for all activities related to contract manufacturing, materials management, demand planning, transportation, warehousing, distribution, new product development, research & development, and compliance of Brothers International Food Holdings, LLC Consumer Packaged Goods division. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across the division, ensuring seamless project management from concept to commercialization, and providing robust support to the operations and sales teams.

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Management:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team, working cross-functionally across operations, R&D, and sales support to foster professional growth, accountability, and a collaborative environment.

• Establish and manage team goals and KPIs that align with the company objectives, regularly conduct performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback to ensure continuous improvement.

• Drive a culture of operational excellence by empowering team members to identify process efficiencies, solve problems, and take ownership of their work.

• Manage cross-functional challenges and resolve operational bottlenecks to maintain project timelines.

• Serve as the primary liaison and accountability manager for our manufacturing contractors.

• Direct the end-to-end management of outsourced production contracts.

• Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and drive continuous improvement initiatives for the Brothers International CPG Operations team.

• Explore ways to streamline existing operational procedures and implement changes that will positively impact the company.

• Oversee the NPD process from a project management perspective, including concept evaluation, business analysis, and commercialization.

• Coordinate efforts between R&D, sales, marketing, and operations to ensure new products meet market demands and are feasible for production and distribution.

• Manage project timelines, budget, and resources for all new product initiatives.

• Oversee new product introductions and new customer onboarding activities.

• Responsible for demand planning and forecasting all retail finished goods.

• Determine raw material requirements and lead all procurement activities.

• Manage all third-party manufacturing activities, including pricing, quality, yield/scrap, and schedule adherence.

• Ensure coordination with the Shared Logistics Services team regarding the international and domestic movement of products via air, ocean, multimodal, and over-the-road transportation.
• Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and lead quarterly business reviews with all key trading partners.
• Work with the Shared Logistics Services team to ensure optimal transportation routings and timely customs clearance.

• Provide the sales team with domestic order placement, fulfillment, and management of inventory levels at third-party warehouse locations.
• Ensure high-level customer service to customers.
• Oversee sales support individual(s0, acting as the primary point of contact for sales-related operational inquiries, working to resolve issues, and improve order-to-delivery cycles.
• Liaise with suppliers, customers, and third-party providers to build and maintain strong working relationships across the supply chain.

• Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Operations or related field.
• MBA a plus
• PMP a plus
• 5-10 years of management experience focused in operations, supply chain, distribution, etc.
• Proven experience in managing R&D and New Product Development processes from a project management perspective.

• Ability to lead a high-performing cross-functional team, driving results.
• Demonstrated success in driving efficiency via continuous improvement activities.
• Experience managing company-operated warehouse operations, multi-site distribution networks, contract manufacturing, and 3PL relationships.
• Experience in servicing retail customers (big box and grocery) strongly preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems
• Strong skills in organization and planning, with a demonstrated ability to lead multi-functional teams.
• Self-motivated with high energy and an engaging level of enthusiasm.
• Exceptional verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong sense of customer centricity.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment.