Vice President of Manufacturing
Cranford, NJ
$190,000 - $250,000 + performance bonuses, equity, and LTI opportunities
We are seeking a strategic, results-oriented VP of Manufacturing to lead and oversee all manufacturing operations for our Food & Beverage production facilities. You will bring deep industry expertise, operational excellence, and a passion for quality and innovation. You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that ensures high efficiency, safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance while supporting the company’s growth and profitability goals.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement a long-term manufacturing strategy aligned with the company’s vision and business objectives.
Operational Excellence:
- Oversee all aspects of plant operations including production, quality control, sanitation, engineering, and maintenance to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness.
Team Management:
- Lead and mentor a high-performing team of plant managers and operations leaders. Build a strong performance-driven culture across all facilities.
Food Safety & Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and other food safety and regulatory standards.
Continuous Improvement:
- Champion lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to drive cost reductions and operational enhancements.
Supply Chain & Logistics Alignment:
- Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and supply chain teams to ensure raw material availability and timely distribution of finished goods.
Capital Projects & Budgeting:
- Lead major capital investment projects, including equipment upgrades, facility expansions, and automation. Manage manufacturing budgets and deliver on cost targets.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner closely with R&D, Quality Assurance, Sales, and Marketing to support product innovation, go-to-market timelines, and customer satisfaction.
Sustainability & ESG Initiatives:
- Integrate sustainable manufacturing practices and support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
- 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role within the Food & Beverage industry highly desirable.
- Proven track record managing multi-site operations and scaling manufacturing capabilities.
- Deep understanding of food safety regulations and quality systems.
- Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and financial acumen.
- Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, or related methodologies.
- Excellent communication, team-building, and change management skills.
- Experience with ERP and MES systems preferred.
Work Environment:
- Position may require frequent travel to manufacturing sites across the US
For more information, contact me directly on here, or email me at [email protected]
