Growing food manufacturer is hiring for a VP Operations/Head of Operations who will lead, develop and organize in-house and external operation systems while specifically supporting entire supply chain, quality assurance, commercialization and demand planning. The VP of Operations will report directly to our COO. This role will provide for superior customer satisfaction through continuous improvement of all activities. Position will require hands-on involvement, team and business leadership in critical activities such as supply chain, forecasting/ demand planning, production planning, inventory management, co-packer communication, 3PL storage and freight, quality assurance, data analysis, and cross-functional communication. It is understood that this position will play a key role in - and be accountable for - achieving annual company goals as they pertain to sales, margin, and customer service. Key focus will be to ensure consistent quality and cost effective availability of finished goods through optimization of the entire supply chain and across operations and business. This will require managing direct reports and cross functional teams specifically as it pertains to food safety, quality assurance, end to end supply chain management; procurement, planning, production, external manufacturing, fulfillment and commercialization activities meeting KPI targets in support of business growth while managing gross margin levers through continuous improvement. And this is how you'll do it...
* Own end-to-end supply chain operations:
Lead all aspects of supply chain execution including forecasting, procurement, production planning, inventory management, logistics, and customer fulfillment to ensure consistent product availability and operational efficiency across the business.
* Drive demand planning and production alignment:
Develop and maintain accurate forecasting models using sales trends, customer insights, and inventory data while partnering closely with Sales, Finance, and customers to align production plans with evolving business demand.
* Lead procurement and cost optimization initiatives:
Manage ingredient and packaging sourcing strategies, supplier relationships, purchasing, and contract negotiations while identifying opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and mitigate supply chain risk.
* Oversee external manufacturing and co-man partnerships:
Own relationships with contract manufacturers by managing capacity planning, production scheduling, performance metrics, quality expectations, and continuous improvement initiatives to support rapid company growth.
* Manage logistics, warehousing, and distribution operations:
Optimize freight, storage, and fulfillment strategies across the 3PL and distribution network to improve customer service levels, reduce transportation costs, and increase operational scalability.
* Ensure quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance:
Lead company-wide quality assurance and food safety programs including HACCP, FSMA compliance, product traceability, audits, corrective actions, and recall readiness to maintain the highest operational standards.
* Drive commercialization and new product launch execution:
Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Finance teams to successfully commercialize new products, support customer launches, and ensure operational readiness from concept through execution.
* Lead operational strategy and continuous improvement:
Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve systems, enhance reporting visibility, and implement scalable operational improvements that support growth and profitability.
* Build, develop, and lead high-performing teams:
Manage and mentor direct reports while fostering a culture of accountability, urgency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across internal teams and external partners.
* Deliver operational and financial performance:
Own and track KPIs tied to customer service, inventory health, margins, production efficiency, and overall business performance while helping drive the achievement of annual company goals.
Budget for the role is $200k - $300k base, 30% Bonus, Equity and Employer Paid Benefits!