Associate Operational Manager

Job Summary
We are hiring an Associate Operational Manager to help drive excellence in an artisanal skincare production facility in Forest, VA. This role supports the General Manager by leading day-to-day operations, fine-tuning workflows, and managing production teams to ensure quality, efficiency, and consistency. As a facility with $15 million in projected revenue, we rely on process improvement, hands-on leadership, and a shared passion for producing exceptional handmade products. We're looking for someone energized by challenge, committed to excellence, and capable of fostering a strong team dynamic in a fast-moving environment.

Duties

• Lead daily manufacturing activities to ensure efficient and timely production of handcrafted skincare items
• Supervise and coach production staff, promoting accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning
• Maintain and adjust production schedules to align with order volume and minimize downtime
• Improve operational systems to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and eliminate unnecessary waste
• Enforce safety standards and regulatory compliance, including FDA, OSHA, and GMP requirements
• Partner with the General Manager to execute strategies that support company expansion and performance goals
• Monitor operational metrics, analyze trends, and report actionable insights to leadership
• Work closely with procurement and logistics teams to maintain raw material inventory and avoid disruptions
• Support product development by managing production trials and coordinating team training
• Encourage feedback from employees and customers to inform process improvements
• Resolve operational issues promptly, applying a problem-solving mindset to minimize disruptions
• Contribute to budget planning and financial tracking to maintain strong operational performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• 3–7 years of experience in operational or production management, preferably in skincare, cosmetics, or similar consumer goods
• Proven success in cost control, process optimization, or quality improvement initiatives
• Experience managing production teams of 10–20 people
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Forest, VA, with flexibility for occasional after-hours work
• Experience leading production operations with an emphasis on quality and efficiency
• Strong team leadership skills in a manufacturing or production environment
• Skilled in identifying problems and quickly pivoting to meet evolving business needs
• High attention to detail with a deep commitment to compliance and standards
• Effective communicator across teams and capable of interpreting and presenting data
• Proficiency with production tools, ERP platforms, or other operations-related systems
• Demonstrated ability to streamline processes and drive performance improvements
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a hands-on, small-team environment

Nice to Have

• Working knowledge of FDA regulations, GMP standards, and OSHA guidelines

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What industry do you have production or operational experience in? (candidates who do not answer this question will be disqualified)
• Do you have experience managing a team of 10-20 employees in a production environment? (candidates who do not answer this question will be disqualified)

Experience:

• Production or operational management: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Forest, VA 24551: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $90,000