Job Title: Vice President – Operations & Manufacturing
Job Summary:
The Vice President of Operations & Manufacturing is a key executive responsible for leading all aspects of production, manufacturing operations, and supply chain execution across multiple food and beverage facilities. This role ensures world-class performance in safety, quality, efficiency, service, and cost. The VP drives operational excellence, fosters a culture of continuous improvement, and ensures scalability to support business growth. This position works closely with cross-functional leadership in Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and HR to deliver on strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Strategy & Leadership
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Develop and lead the overall operations strategy across all manufacturing sites, aligning with corporate objectives for growth, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
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Oversee day-to-day manufacturing performance in areas of safety, quality, throughput, cost control, and labor productivity.
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Lead manufacturing footprint optimization, capacity planning, and long-range operational readiness.
Manufacturing Excellence
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Implement best practices in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
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Drive plant-level accountability for key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE, yield, labor efficiency, and customer fill rates.
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Promote a high-performance, metrics-driven operations culture.
People Leadership & Organizational Development
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Lead and mentor a team of plant managers, operations directors, and manufacturing leaders across multiple facilities.
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Build strong succession pipelines, technical training programs, and leadership development initiatives.
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Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across the operations function.
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
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Partner with Quality and Food Safety teams to uphold GMP, HACCP, FSMA, USDA, and FDA standards.
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Ensure audit readiness and rapid corrective action across all plants.
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Embed food safety and regulatory compliance into day-to-day operations.
Cost Management & Efficiency
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Lead productivity improvement initiatives focused on labor, waste reduction, energy use, and overall operating cost.
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Collaborate with Finance to track and deliver on cost targets, capital budgets, and ROI projects.
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Oversee make-vs-buy decisions and manufacturing network efficiency studies.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Work closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Procurement, R&D, and Commercial teams to support new product launches, capital projects, and customer fulfillment.
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Support the integration of automation, digital systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies into manufacturing operations.
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Serve as a key voice in strategic planning, risk management, and business continuity efforts.
Key Focus Areas:
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Enterprise manufacturing leadership and multi-site operational strategy
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Lean manufacturing, performance management, and cost optimization
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Food safety, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness
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Team development, talent strategy, and culture building
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Cross-functional alignment and customer service execution
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Operational scalability and transformation initiatives
Qualifications & Skills:
Education:
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Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or related field required
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MBA or advanced degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Industrial Engineering preferred
Experience:
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15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing or operations leadership roles in the food & beverage, CPG, or pharmaceutical industry
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7+ years of multi-site, senior leadership (Director, VP, or above) with full P&L responsibility
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Strong track record of improving performance in safety, quality, throughput, and cost
Certifications:
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Lean Six Sigma certification preferred
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Familiarity with SQF, BRC, or other GFSI-recognized food safety systems
Technical Skills:
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Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, supply chain dynamics, automation, and food plant operations
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Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing analytics platforms
Leadership & Soft Skills:
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Visionary leader with strong operational acumen
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Collaborative, decisive, and results-oriented executive mindset
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Excellent communication and change management skills
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Proven ability to lead through transformation and growth