Senior Manager, Contract Manufacturing

Just Born, Inc. is a family-owned candy manufacturer that has been creating joyful moments for generations. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, we are proud to produce iconic brands like PEEPS®, MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES®, and GOLDENBERG’S® PEANUT CHEWS®.
 
Our purpose is simple: to create joyful moments and build stronger communities. Guided by our highest ideals—to take care of each other, do the right thing, and give forward—we remain committed to our people, our consumers, our community, and the planet.

Position Summary:

We’re looking for a Senior Manager, Contract Manufacturing to accelerate the launch of new products and to scale our base business. The primary objective of this role is to identify and establish a network of co-manufacturers, ensuring effective collaboration while upholding the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing operations and end-to-end supply chain, excellent communication skills, and a passion for fostering productive partnerships.

Location: Bethlehem, PA

How You’ll Impact Results:

Manage Co-Man Partnerships

·                  Serve as the main point of contact for all contract manufacturing relationships.

·                  Build and maintain strong partnerships that increase capabilities and meet production goals, timelines, and quality standards.

Evaluate and Onboard Vendors

·                  Partner with QA and R&D to identify, assess, and qualify new co-manufacturers.

·                  Lead audits and onboarding to ensure capability, capacity, and compliance with company standards.

Lead Commercialization and Production

·                  Oversee commercialization with co-manufacturers for new and existing products.

·                  Ensure on-time, in-specification production and readiness across all launch phases.

Collaborate Cross-Functionally

·                  Partner with Brand Marketing, Innovation, R&D, QA, Supply Chain, and Production.

·                  Align on project feasibility, timelines, and product requirements to deliver business goals.

Optimize Quality, Cost, and Efficiency

·                  Conduct site visits, inspections, and audits to verify adherence to specifications and regulations.

·                  Monitor production output and material usage to identify and implement improvements in yield, cost, and consistency.

Support Strategic Sourcing and Continuous Improvement

·                  Conduct “make vs. buy” analyses to guide sourcing decisions.

·                  Maintain accurate records of co-man capabilities and drive corrective actions and process enhancements.