Director of Operations (Manufacturing)

Job Title: Director of Operations / Director of Manufacturing / Plant Manager Location: Memphis, TN Department: Operations Reports To: CEO / COO

POSITION SUMMARY

Vanguard Soap is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Operations (Plant Manager) to lead end-to-end manufacturing operations across liquid and solid soap production. This role is responsible for delivering operational excellence at scale, ensuring world-class quality, cost efficiency, production reliability, and safety performance.

This leader will translate business strategy into execution through disciplined manufacturing systems, strong people leadership, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise, operational rigor, and a builder's mindset, capable of scaling a high-growth, entrepreneurial manufacturing environment into a best-in-class operation.

The Vanguard manufacturing campus is a 14-acre site producing 40-50 million pounds of product annually with over 100 employees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure Quality (Product Integrity & Compliance)

• Establish and enforce world-class quality standards across all production lines, ensuring consistent product integrity and customer satisfaction
• Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance with GMP, ISO, FDA, and customer-specific standards
• Implement robust quality systems, including in-process controls, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
• Drive a culture of "quality at the source," embedding accountability at every level of the organization
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects, waste, and rework

Standardize Costs (Operational Efficiency & Margin Expansion)

• Own plant-level cost structure, including labor, materials, yield, and overhead performance
• Identify and execute cost optimization initiatives through lean manufacturing, process engineering, and waste elimination
• Improve production yields, line efficiencies, and asset utilization across all manufacturing processes
• Develop and implement standardized operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure repeatability and cost discipline
• Partner with Finance and Supply Chain to align production planning with cost targets and margin goals

Achieve Schedule (Delivery & Throughput Reliability)

• Ensure on-time, in-full (OTIF) production performance aligned with customer commitments and business priorities
• Lead integrated production planning in partnership with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Customer teams
• Optimize production scheduling, capacity planning, and labor allocation across multiple product lines and shifts
• Proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks, downtime risks, and supply constraints
• Establish performance metrics and dashboards to drive accountability for throughput, uptime, and delivery performance

Ensure Safety (People & Environmental Safety)

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture, ensuring compliance with all OSHA and environmental regulations
• Establish and enforce safety policies, procedures, and training programs across the plant
• Lead safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations with a focus on prevention
• Ensure safe operation of all equipment, processes, and facility infrastructure
• Build a culture where safety is a core value and embedded in daily behaviors

Enterprise & Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations team, including Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supervisory leadership
• Build organizational capability to scale with company growth, including succession planning and talent development
• Drive a culture of accountability, performance management, and continuous improvement
• Lead capital investment planning, including equipment upgrades, automation, and facility expansion
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to overall business strategy and execution
• Ensure alignment across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams

KEY CAPABILITIES

• Operational Leadership at Scale: Proven ability to lead full plant operations with accountability for safety, quality, cost, and delivery
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Deep expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and manufacturing excellence methodologies
• Technical & Engineering Acumen: Strong understanding of process engineering, equipment optimization, and manufacturing systems
• People Leadership & Team Building: Ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent while building a high-performance culture
• Execution Discipline: Translates strategy into clear priorities, metrics, and results
• Managing Complexity: Effectively balances multiple product lines, customer demands, and operational constraints
• Business & Financial Acumen: Understands cost drivers, margin levers, and operational impact on P&L performance

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
• Prior experience as a Plant Manager, Director of Operations, or Director of Manufacturing
• Experience in personal care, chemical, CPG, or contract manufacturing strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success driving improvements in safety, quality, cost, and delivery metrics
• Experience leading multi-shift operations and scaling manufacturing capabilities in a growth environment
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, or related field required)
• Advanced degree (MBA or Master's in Engineering/Operations) preferred

Additional Requirements

• Strong knowledge of GMP, FDA, OSHA, and relevant regulatory standards
• Proven track record of implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with evolving priorities