Scope of Position

As the Senior Vice President of Operations, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations to ensure efficiency, productivity, and best practices. This candidate will have direct responsibility for manufacturing (internal and co-mfg) and supply chain (purchasing, logistics). Reporting directly to the enterprise CEO, the candidate will sit on the management team and play a critical role in driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing processes and CAPEX projects while fostering a winning culture of excellence within the plants and corporate functions.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve business objectives and other deliverables.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement and implement initiatives to enhance efficiency, capacity, and productivity while minimizing scrap, waste and yield loss.
• Be a key member of the executive team and contribute to the strategic organic growth plans as well as selective acquisitions.

2. Operations Management

• Lead the Plant managers (including contract manufacturers) to ensure best practices re: talent management, key processes, and all aspects of manufacturing.
• Proven track record in shifting production from company-owned facilities to co-manufacturers.
• Support the Quality Team to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, food safety standings, work-place safety, and quality assurance protocols.
• Implement best practices for lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to optimize processes and reduce costs.
• Execute hands-on lean manufacturing initiatives through Six-Sigma or other process improvement methodologies.

3. Team Leadership and Development

• Provide leadership and guidance to a diverse team of managers, supervisors, and production staff in a non-union plant environment.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement where we celebrate wins as a team.
• Develop talent within the organization through training, coaching, and performance management initiatives to solidify future business leaders within the operations and supply chain team.

4. Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual plant budgets, forecasts, and financial plans to achieve cost targets and profitability goals.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPI’s) and financial metrics to track performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives

5. Customer Service Excellence

• Ensure the delivery of best-in-class customer service that exceeds client expectations.
• Implement customer feedback loops to continuously improve service and maintain customer satisfaction.
• Optimize processes for order management, communication, and issue resolution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field desired. MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in food manufacturing or related industry with at least five years in a senior role.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in a food manufacturing business driving operational excellence, implementing continuous improvement, driving operational excellence, re-shaping manufacturing solutions, and supporting a growing business. She/he will exhibit excellent communication, interpersonal and gritty problem-solving skills in a team atmosphere. Proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, strategic long-range planning and executing transformational CAPEX projects.