Director of Operations

Job Description

The Director of Operations is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of manufacturing and supply chain, with a strategic focus on scaling processes, systems, and people to support rapid growth. Initially, this role will directly manage the Plant Manager and Supply Chain Manager, with future responsibility expanding to include Commercialization efforts. This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a proven operational leader with a strong track record of driving performance, cost control, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Duties and responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to the Plant Manager and Supply Chain Manager.

Develop and implement operational strategies to increase production efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure on-time delivery.

Lead the implementation and optimization of ERP systems to support live packing, consumption tracking, and inventory utilization.

Streamline the use of inventory management platforms and maintenance software to enhance predictive and preventive maintenance programs.

Partner with the Finance team to monitor and analyze operational costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and drive cost control initiatives.

Launch and oversee continuous improvement projects, supporting efficiency, productivity, and profitability goals across the operation.

Establish, monitor, and improve KPIs for production, logistics, quality, and supply chain performance.

Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Sales, and Finance to align operations with strategic growth and support successful commercialization.

Lead long-term operational planning, including facility expansion, capital investments, and process enhancements.

Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory and certification standards, including SQF, Organic, Kosher, and others.

Support regulatory audit readiness, documentation practices, and operational compliance.

Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.

Assist executive team in strategic discussions and decision making

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA preferred.

Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain, ideally in food, beverage, or CPG.

Experience implementing ERP systems integrated with live operations and inventory tracking.

Strong background in maintenance systems, especially predictive and preventive programs.

Proven success in cost analysis, cost-reduction planning, and collaboration with finance to improve bottom-line performance.

Strong leadership & communication skills and managerial presence

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization

Hands-on experience leading continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Knowledge of and compliance with SQF, Organic, Kosher, FDA, USDA, and relevant regulatory frameworks.

Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and team-building skills.

Must possess a positive attitude in a fast-paced & changing production environment

High proficiency and expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, in particular PowerPoint and SharePoint are required.

Proven time management skills with the ability to work on several projects simultaneously.

Must be able to understand complex information and communicate the information to people with diverse professional backgrounds.

Individuals must be able to understand and follow directions in English

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

Occasional work in various adverse conditions such as tight or enclosed spaces heights, and temperature extremes to complete work assignments

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

Ability to be unfazed by ambiguity and comfortable in environments with shifting priorities

Full-time