About the Job:
Pacific International has been retained by a leading food manufacturing and distribution organization. As the company continues to scale, it is investing in operational excellence across its network. A key part of this transformation is the search for a dynamic Director of Operations to lead end-to-end performance at a new critical manufacturing and distribution hub.
Reporting to theVice President of Operations, the Director will be responsible for driving warehousing and logistics strategy, improving people operations and frontline engagement, and delivering financial performance. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence day-to-day execution while shaping long-term process improvements across a high-volume, fast-paced food manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate brings both strategic insight and hands-on leadership experience, with a strong track record in union environments and food production settings.
Responsibilities:
- Operational Leadership: Oversee daily operations across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and compliance with food safety standards.
- Warehousing & Distribution: Optimize inbound and outbound warehouse processes, inventory management, and transportation execution to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
- People Operations: Lead a large hourly and salaried workforce within a unionized environment, championing a culture of accountability, safety, and engagement.
- Financial Management: Own the P&L for the site; identify and implement cost control initiatives and drive margin improvement.
- Performance Management: Utilize KPIs to monitor operational health and drive continuous improvement in throughput, waste reduction, and downtime.
- Labor Relations: Foster collaborative labor-management relationships and lead negotiations, contract compliance, and workforce planning.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Quality, HR, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams to ensure an integrated approach to operational success.
- Talent Development: Build leadership bench strength through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
- Strategic Projects: Support capital investments, technology upgrades, and Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to future-proof operations.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field (MBA or relevant master’s a plus).
- 7–10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, distribution, or related operations roles.
- Demonstrated success managing large teams and warehouse operations in a unionized environment.
- Strong financial acumen with direct P&L responsibility and experience driving cost and productivity improvements.
- Skilled in leading continuous improvement and change management initiatives.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence at all levels.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, seasonal, and high-complexity business environment.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
About Pacific International Executive Search:
Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.
Diversity Statement:
At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.
For further information on this position and a confidential discussion about your career please contact:
[email protected]
Compensation banding: $130,000 - 150,000
