Position: VP, Operations
Industry: Food Production
Compensation: $250,000 – $300,000 + 40% bonus
Location: Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office, non-negotiable)
Position Overview
The VP, Operations is responsible for leading all food manufacturing operations and supply chain functions across Company’s multi-site production network with food-processing plants in the USA and Canada. This executive role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure optimal production efficiency, quality standards, safety protocols, and supply chain effectiveness across all locations. The VP will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Quality & Food Safety, R&D, Procurement, and Finance, to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and business growth. This position serves as a member of the Leadership Team and reports to the CEO, ensuring alignment with both Company’s business objectives and parent company’s operational standards.
Manufacturing Operations Leadership
- Lead and oversee all manufacturing operations across multiple production facilities, ensuring optimal productivity, efficiency, and quality standards
- Develop and implement manufacturing strategies that support business growth while maintaining cost-effectiveness and operational excellence
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for production output, efficiency, waste reduction, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
- Ensure consistent application of manufacturing best practices across all sites while respecting local requirements and capabilities
- Lead capital investment planning for manufacturing equipment, facility improvements, and capacity expansion projects
- Oversee production planning and scheduling to meet customer demand while optimizing inventory levels and manufacturing costs
Supply Chain Management
- Develop and execute comprehensive supply chain strategies encompassing procurement, logistics, inventory management, and distribution
- Optimize end-to-end supply chain processes to ensure product availability, minimize costs, and maintain service level commitments
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers, co-manufacturers, and logistics partners
- Lead demand planning and forecasting processes in collaboration with Sales and Marketing teams
- Implement supply chain risk mitigation strategies, including supplier diversification and business continuity planning
- Drive supply chain digitization and technology adoption to enhance visibility, efficiency, and decision-making capabilities
- Oversee international logistics and customs compliance for cross-border operations, particularly between US and Canadian facilities
Multi-Site Leadership & Talent Development
- Provide leadership and direction to site leadership teams across geographically dispersed manufacturing locations
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across all operational teams
- Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and strategic hiring initiatives
- Ensure effective communication and knowledge sharing between manufacturing sites
- Drive employee engagement and retention through strong leadership presence and site visits
- Establish consistent operational standards while empowering local leadership to address site-specific needs
- Lead workforce planning to ensure appropriate staffing levels and capabilities across all facilities
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Champion a safety-first culture across all operations, ensuring compliance with OSHA, local regulatory requirements, and parent company safety standards
- Partner with VP, Quality & Food Safety to ensure manufacturing operations meet all food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
- Oversee compliance with industry certifications including SQF, BRC, organic certifications, and customer-specific requirements
- Lead incident investigation processes and implementation of corrective actions for safety and quality events
- Ensure environmental compliance and drive sustainability initiatives across manufacturing operations
- Maintain audit readiness across all facilities for customer, regulatory, and third-party audits
Financial Performance & Cost Management
- Develop and manage operational budgets across all manufacturing sites and supply chain functions
- Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality standards and service levels
- Analyze manufacturing variances and implement corrective actions to achieve financial targets
- Optimize labor productivity, material utilization, and overhead costs across the operation
- Provide accurate forecasting for operational expenses and capital requirements
- Partner with Finance on cost accounting, standard costing, and profitability analysis by product and facility
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with R&D and Quality teams to ensure successful new product launches and commercialization
- Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to align production capabilities with market demands and promotional activities
- Partner with Procurement on supplier selection, contract negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives
- Coordinate with IT on implementation of manufacturing systems, including ERP, MES, and planning tools
- Support HR in workforce planning, labor relations, and organizational development initiatives
- Serve as key liaison with parent company operations leadership to ensure alignment with parent company standards and best practices
Integration & Strategic Initiatives
- Lead operational aspects of integration activities following new acquisitions, ensuring seamless alignment with global standards
- Identify and execute synergy opportunities across the parent company network
- Drive standardization of systems, processes, and methodologies across Company’s manufacturing footprint
- Lead strategic projects including facility consolidations, network optimization, and capacity planning
- Champion innovation in manufacturing processes and supply chain operations
Qualifications
Experience
- 15+ years of progressive experience in FMCG, beverage, or CPG manufacturing operations
- Minimum 5 years in executive leadership roles with multi-site manufacturing responsibility
- Proven track record of managing geographically dispersed operations across multiple states/countries
- Demonstrated experience in supply chain management including procurement, logistics, and inventory optimization
- Experience working in organizations with both owned manufacturing facilities and co-packer relationships
- Strong background in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing methodologies
- Experience operating in a matrix organization and collaborating with parent company/corporate structures preferred
- Track record of successful capital project management and facility expansions
- Experience in union and non-union manufacturing environments
Skills & Abilities
- Exceptional leadership skills with ability to inspire and develop teams across multiple locations
- Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on operational expertise
- Advanced problem-solving and decision-making capabilities in complex, fast-paced environments
- Excellent influencing and negotiating skills with internal and external stakeholders
- Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, with ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels
- Strong financial acumen with experience in P&L management and budget oversight
- Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational demands
- Demonstrated change management capabilities
- Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred), manufacturing execution systems, and advanced planning tools
- Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical skills
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 40-50%)
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field required
- Master's degree (MBA, MS in Engineering, or related advanced degree) strongly preferred
- Professional certifications such as Six Sigma Black Belt, APICS CPIM/CSCP, or similar credentials highly valued
Working Conditions
- Hybrid work arrangement based in Chicago office with significant travel to manufacturing facilities
- Occasional travel to supplier locations, co-manufacturers, and parent company corporate locations
- Some evening and weekend work required to support 24/7 manufacturing operations
Compensation
- Competitive compensation package including base salary, annual performance bonus, long-term incentives, 401(k), comprehensive insurance, relocation assistance if applicable, and other executive benefits
For immediate consideration, please email your resume in Word format to Cameron at cameronwall@ifgus.com.