Director of Manufacturing – Supply

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take complete responsibility for all co-manufacturing partners, acting as the primary point of accountability for output, quality, cost, and delivery.

• Lead the onboarding and stabilization process for new co-manufacturers, which includes recipe transfer, production validation, equipment installation, and execution of ramp-up activities.

• Manage the transition from legacy partners, ensuring that supply continuity is maintained without any disruptions.

• Organize and conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with each co-manufacturing partner in collaboration with the Quality team.

• Create and apply performance scorecards to monitor delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness.

• Supervise production scheduling, capacity planning, and line allocation across all manufacturing sites in alignment with Supply Chain Planning.

• Ensure that production commitments are fulfilled while proactively addressing constraints, bottlenecks, and conflicts on the production line.

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing yield, minimizing waste, and optimizing per-unit costs.

• Implement inventory buffer strategies for packaging and raw materials to stabilize operations and prevent reactive supply challenges.

• Oversee sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management for all raw materials and inputs.

• Recruit and guide sourcing leadership to handle daily supplier relationships, negotiations, and vendor onboarding processes.

• Define and execute a strategy for supplier diversification to reduce single-source risks.

• Lead supplier negotiations, manage contracts, and optimize costs at scale.

• Address critical raw material supply challenges to ensure a steady supply of essential inputs.

• Lead and cultivate a team that supports production, supply, and sourcing operations.

• Provide coaching, performance management, and daily leadership to team members.

• Build and develop a high-performing, execution-oriented team aligned with business growth objectives.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain Planning on demand forecasts, production priorities, and inventory goals while offering feedback on constraints and lead times.

• Partner with Quality on audits, inspections, batch release processes, and QBRs.

• Assist in production readiness for new SKUs, including trials, validation, and ramp-up for commercialization.

• Work together with R&D / Innovation on the feasibility of formulations, pilot runs, and scaling up new products.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

• Proven track record in managing co-manufacturing partners, with full accountability for output, quality, cost, and delivery.

• Demonstrated success in onboarding new co-manufacturers, including recipe transfer, production validation, equipment installation, and ramp-up processes.

• Experience in leading transitions between manufacturing partners while maintaining uninterrupted supply continuity.

• A history of managing sourcing, procurement, and supplier relations for raw materials and packaging, including large-scale negotiations and contract management.

• Experience in building and leading teams across production, supply, and sourcing functions.

• Strong understanding of production scheduling, capacity planning, and line allocation across multiple manufacturing sites.

• Proven capability to drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance yield, minimize waste, and reduce per-unit costs.

• Experience in developing supplier diversification strategies and managing single-source risks.

• Ability to design inventory buffer strategies for raw materials and packaging to avert reactive supply challenges.

• Working knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including audits, inspections, and batch release processes (e.g., GMP, HACCP, SQF/BRC).

• Strong financial acumen, including skills in cost modeling, budgeting, and negotiating commercial terms.

• Proficiency with ERP systems and supply chain planning tools, along with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• Collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Flexible work arrangements.