Senior Director of Operations

ABOUT BRAINJUICE, BRAINJAVA, BRAINWATER:

BRAINJUICE, LLC  is a consumer product company leader in natural brain supplements. The company was founded and based in Austin, Texas, with primary fulfillment and sales operations in Dallas.  

BRAINJUICE has two subsidiary brands, BRAINJAVA and BRAINWATER, which offer ready-to-drink functional beverages that are 100% natural and scientifically formulated to support brain function. BRAINJUICE products are intended to promote and support brain neurotransmission, health, and performance.

At BrainJuice, we believe that food is medicine. We have a proprietary formula that is included in all of our products. Our proprietary blend includes an antioxidant complex derived from organic blueberry, organic acai, organic acerola cherry, and organic green tea caffeine, along with vitamins B12 & C to help protect and energize the brain. BRAINJUICE, BRAINJAVA, & BRAINWATER are distributed throughout the United States with ex-US territories in the 2026 & 2027 roadmap. BRAINJUICE distributes to natural and conventional distributors nationwide throughout the United States, and also direct to key accounts in the United States.

ROLE LOCATION: Provo, Utah (in person)

ROLE REPORTING: This job reports to the Chief Executive Officer

This role is responsible for driving strategic initiatives and impacting operational efficiency across the company — serving as a trusted manager and adviser to the cross-functions of Product Innovation, Product Research & Development, Production and Manufacturing, Asset Management, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, and Sales Operations.

ROLE / JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Minimum of 10 years of Product Operations experience in Supplements, CPG, or Natural product sectors, Vitamins, Supplements. Additional product lab and R&D experience with supplements, vitamins, amino acids, and natural/organic ingredients is a plus
• Minimum of 10 years of Supply Chain and Inventory Management experience in CPG, Natural Product, Vitamins, and Supplements
• Passionate and motivated about Brain Health products and functional beverages, with a desire to execute the brand’s product strategy and goals
• Identifying and managing relevant KPIs, including profit & loss (P&L)
• Apply strategy, planning, and communication to product management as the company’s centralized stakeholder management and leader in operations
• Manage timely production timelines and forecasts (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual budgets, scheduling, and quality)
• Work with Product Research & Development on Ex-US roadmaps for distribution and production planning, keeping weekly and monthly revisions, changes that are needed for efficiency of cost controls, cash flow, and inventory health
• Inventory of non-finished goods (ingredients, raw materials, packaging)
• Work with Supply Chain Manager to ensure healthy inventory levels based on demand planning and life of product requirements for retailers and distributors
• Cost of Goods and management of SKUs, ingredients / raw materials, production costs, etc., provided to the CEO, any officer of the company, Accounting, Sales, and Marketing
• Focus on ensuring cost-effective procurement of raw assets, production analysis, forecasting,  cost savings initiatives, distribution, and supply chain support
• Product Operations management of inventory, assets, and product manufacturing assets (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually)
• Attendance and travel for company meetings, Trade Shows, and Meetings with Partners is required as needed
• Coordinate and support multiple departments and build partner relationships in a cross-functioning role

Operational Strategy & Freight / Shipping Management 

• Drive disciplined execution through organization, structure, and follow-through to turn conversations and planning into tangible outcomes
• Streamline and scale operational strategy for a growing portfolio of products (including Ex US skus); including vetting suppliers, procuring materials, and identifying areas of improvement in the development of finished goods
• Analyze internal and external data to identify trends and make data-driven decisions
• Collaboration with accounting, sales, supply chain, and senior management to ensure alignment and effective execution across all of the company’s teams 

Procurement & Raw Asset Inventory Management

• Own Demand Planning to guarantee supply for rapid expansion across channels: Natural Retail, Mass Retail, DTC, Convenience, Food Service, etc 
• Collaborate with the Product Team to ensure timely and efficient production schedules that support Supply Chain excellence
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to understand demand, including demand from promotions, sampling, in-store support, and other promotional activities
• Optimize transportation and logistics costs
• Oversee and monitor inventory performance across all channels and locations to avoid stockouts and to optimize against aging or excess inventory
• Ensure operations comply with retailer requirements and best practices, including building out Standard Operating Procedures 

Financial Planning and Reporting

• Creating clear communications with accounting to drive clarity, buy-in, and progress tracking for profitability
• Analyze trends to inform strategy, pivot strategy, or implement technology that improves the company's performance
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the business P&L, including developing and managing the operations budget
• Financial planning and reporting, including forecasting, tracking, reporting, and financial analysis 
• Own the go-to-market operational strategy with new product development across a portfolio of brands and products 
• Collaborate with Finance on managing of cost of goods sold (COGS)
• Hands-on (in-person) inventory management and auditing monthly

 Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (Preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, Operations Management, or similar study)
• PREFERRED: Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain Management
• REQUIRED: 10 years of experience in Supply Chain and Operations in CPG
• REQUIRED: Familiarity with CPG, primarily Natural and Organic Food & Beverage Consumer Products
• REQUIRED: Expert understanding of Vitamins & Supplements
• REQUIRED: Experience utilizing an ERP system (Oracle NetSuite required) in a CPG environment
• PREFERRED: Ex-US Distribution Experience 
• Ability to translate stakeholder requests
• Effective and proficient ability to articulate, comprehend, and dissect reporting of sales, inventory, and other reports related to Operations and Supply Chain
• Great people skills in managing up to high-level executives and direct reports in a manner that promotes collaboration and analytical coordination, leading the team to achieve improvements and goals 
• Dynamic, strong, and confident Leadership skills;  the ability to lead with accountability, organization, and strategic planning
• Ability to work with team members with humility;  seeking the goals of the company as the core focus; welcoming an inclusive and collaborative team and culture for the company 
• Desire to manage within a growing organization through changes that are needed to improve the brand’s growth and effectiveness; supporting, initiating, sponsoring, and implementing change to scale and build our unique competitive advantage in the natural and supplements consumer product sectors
• Proven experience with ingredient suppliers — both nationally and internationally
• Weekly visits to production/manufacturing facilities, trade shows, & other important events or business needs
• Resourceful & foresight in potential product-related supply chain disruptions that could cause shortages
• REQUIRED: International & domestic shipping, freight, customs, and transport experience
• Exhibit strong analytical strategic thinking and planning (careful and thoughtful preparation for meetings and presentations)
• Effective and proficient ability to articulate, comprehend, and dissect mathematical and metric reporting of product formulas, testing,  inventory, and other reports related to product and product operations
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google products and applications, inventory and supply chain financial systems
• Expert proficiency with prominent inventory management software, product supply chain operating systems, and operation management systems commonly used by consumer product companies. Technical requirements:  Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Adobe, Dropbox, 3PL, ERP systems (such as Oracle NetSuite)
• Identifying, assessing, and managing risk while striving to attain objectives (willingness to take calculated risks to achieve business goals)
• Work effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages and sexes. Promoting equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all colleagues, account representatives, and industry partners
• Experience and adherence to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, & practices

Other information about the position:

• Salary Range:  Depending on experience 
• Location:  Provo, Utah (in-person visits to manufacturing and warehouse facilities on a regular basis required)
• Travel: 50% Required (Local Daily Travel to Production / Manufacturing / Inventory Warehouse / Packaging Production)
• 100% REMOTE WORK APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage 
• Benefits: Employee Equity Program (vested waterfall)
• Maternity / Paternity Leave 
• This position is limited to persons with the indefinite right to work in the United States 
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Disability Accommodation is reasonable based on the ability to perform the job role.

BRAINJUICE LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity