Vice President Operations

As Vice President, Operations , you will provide strategic leadership for the Operations function, aligning manufacturing, supply planning, environmental health and safety, engineering, continuous improvement, and project execution to deliver safe, high-quality products on time and within budget. You will lead and develop the Operations organization, partner cross-functionally with senior leadership, and shape strategies that support growth, operational excellence, and a high-performance culture.

What you will be doing...

• Lead the development, prioritization, alignment, and execution of strategic Operations initiatives that support company growth, capacity, service, cost, and quality objectives.
• Oversee manufacturing operations from ingredient processing through final packaged product, ensuring production plans are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with quality standards.
• Champion people safety, food safety, product quality, and compliance with applicable regulatory and government agency requirements, including FDA, OSHA, USDA, and HACCP expectations where applicable.
• Set the environmental health and safety strategy and ensure the organization has the focus, resources, and accountability needed to protect employees and operations.
• Lead engineering, maintenance, facilities, and continuous improvement efforts that strengthen equipment reliability, operational capability, and future manufacturing needs.
• Guide demand and supply planning and related handoffs to support effective product availability, storage, delivery, and service performance.
• Establish clear operating standards, metrics, and goals; communicate performance, capacity, risks, opportunities, and recommended solutions to senior leadership.
• Attract, retain, develop, and inspire Operations talent while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, continuous improvement, and long-term career growth.
• Participate as a member of the senior leadership team, serving as a strategic business partner and representing Operations in business reviews, growth planning, and long-term operational strategy.

When visiting manufacturing plants, you will be expected to:

• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in food manufacturing or a fast-moving consumer packaged goods environment.
• 7+ years leading teams and working cross-functionally to drive enterprise-wide results, including leadership of large-scale manufacturing, warehouse, or operations teams.
• Demonstrated expertise across manufacturing, environmental health and safety, demand and supply planning, logistics/supply chain, engineering, and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to develop and execute operational strategies, establish clear metrics, manage financial performance, solve complex problems, and identify risks and opportunities proactively.
• Strong leadership presence, integrity, communication skills, collaboration skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or MBA.
• Experience within snack, bakery, confectionary. premium food, or other highly regulated food manufacturing environments.
• Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, APICS, HACCP, or Quality Management certification/training.
• Experience operating within a global manufacturing organization.
• Proven track record of developing high-performing teams and leading organizations through change, growth, or transformation.