Director, Manufacturing Strategy & Operations

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director, Manufacturing Strategy & Operations to lead enterprise-wide manufacturing initiatives that improve operational performance, increase scalability, and support continued business growth.

Reporting to executive leadership, this individual will serve as a key business partner across Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Commercial, Quality, and Product Development to develop and execute manufacturing strategies that drive efficiency, cost optimization, capacity planning, and operational excellence.

This leader will focus on building the long-term manufacturing strategy across a global manufacturing network while ensuring day-to-day operational execution aligns with business objectives.

Director, Manufacturing Strategy & Operations Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that align with the company's operational, financial, and growth objectives.
• Lead cross functional initiatives to improve manufacturing performance, operational efficiency, quality, and cost across the production network.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure manufacturing capabilities support business demand.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Monitor and improve key manufacturing performance metrics including OEE, labor productivity, yield, throughput, waste, capacity utilization, service levels, and manufacturing costs.
• Oversee production planning and capacity planning to ensure efficient utilization of manufacturing resources while meeting customer demand.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve productivity, efficiency, and service levels.
• Lead manufacturing network optimization initiatives, including footprint analysis, process improvements, automation opportunities, and capital investment recommendations.
• Partner with Procurement and external manufacturing partners to improve supplier performance, production capabilities, and cost efficiencies.
• Develop annual manufacturing budgets, productivity targets, and cost savings initiatives while ensuring operational performance remains aligned with financial objectives.
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, presenting recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, regulatory, and food or consumer product manufacturing standards.
• Support new product launches by collaborating with R&D, Engineering, and Commercial teams to ensure manufacturing readiness and successful commercialization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop manufacturing and operations teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain standardized operating procedures and best practices across manufacturing operations.
• Drive strategic initiatives that improve scalability and position the organization for continued growth.

Director, Manufacturing Strategy & Operations Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 10 years of progressive manufacturing and operations leadership experience within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
• Proven experience leading manufacturing operations in a fast paced, high volume consumer products environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, capacity planning, inventory management, and supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing manufacturing budgets, cost reduction initiatives, and operational performance metrics.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPIs including OEE, yield, throughput, labor productivity, scrap, downtime, and capacity utilization.
• Experience partnering with contract manufacturers and third party manufacturing organizations preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience evaluating capital investments, productivity initiatives, and manufacturing cost optimization.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to make data driven decisions.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional teams and influence stakeholders across multiple business functions.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar manufacturing platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience utilizing business intelligence and reporting tools.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic, growth oriented manufacturing environment.