Vice President Operations

For over 35 years, Harris Spice has been a reliable resource for a full range of spices, herbs, and innovative seasoning blends. We own international facilities that service multiple channels of trade such as industrial bulk, food service, and retail, having supported some of the largest national brands. As a fast-growing business, we’re looking for talented and diverse candidates to expand our business to the next level.

Position Overview/Job Summary:

The Vice President of Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight across Harris Spice’s U.S. operations, with a focus on production planning & fulfillment, commercialization of new business, manufacturing operations, sales & operations strategy and CAPEX while driving operational excellence, profitability and fostering a high-performance culture. This role will ensure the business delivers on its commitments to customers, while optimizing people, processes, and assets for long-term success. The VP of Operations will work closely with senior leadership to integrate operational capabilities with business strategy, supporting both growth and efficiency.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and lead the company’s operations strategy across production, supply chain, and commercialization of new business opportunities.

• Drive alignment between Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure seamless commercialization of new products and accounts.

• Own the S&OP process, ensuring accurate demand planning, supply planning, and inventory strategies that balance cost, service, and working capital.

• Oversee day-to-day performance of manufacturing plants, ensuring safe, cost-effective, and efficient operations that meet quality and food safety standards.

• Partner with Plant/Director-level leaders to improve OEE, throughput, waste reduction, and labor productivity.

• Build a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all facilities.

• Develops metrics, monitors performance and takes corrective measures when necessary.

• Plans and coordinates operational work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical industry expertise.

• Develops capital budgets and manages capital projects to ensure that the company achieves targets for growth and profitability

• Oversees the operation and maintenance of all facilities.

• Develops and implements maintenance programs, standard operating procedures, and quality and productivity improvement initiatives to improve services, efficiency, and effectiveness of Operations.

• Ensure production planning processes align with customer demand, sales forecasts, and capacity constraints.

• Implement systems and KPIs to track on-time delivery, fill rate, forecast accuracy, and production adherence.

• Drive process discipline and data-driven decision-making throughout planning and operations.

• Lead cross-functional efforts (Sales, R&D, QA, Operations) to bring new business opportunities into production successfully.

• Ensure new customer and product launches are executed on-time, within budget, and at target margins.

• Evaluate scalability of new opportunities and adjust resource allocation accordingly.

• Develop and execute the annual CAPEX plan, ensuring resources are allocated to projects that deliver highest ROI.

• Oversee major capital investments, facility expansions, and technology implementations.

• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental standards in all capital projects.

• Develop and manage the annual operating and capital budgets.

• Monitor KPIs for production, supply chain, and commercialization to ensure financial and operational targets are achieved.

• Drive operational cost reduction and margin improvement initiatives.

• Build, coach, and mentor a high-performing operations leadership team.

• Partner with HR to ensure effective workforce planning, succession planning, and employee engagement.

• Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation across operations, sales, and supply chain teams.

• Own P&L responsibility for Operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance.

• Optimize cost structure by improving labor utilization, material yields, and overhead absorption.

• Oversee capital planning and execution (equipment upgrades, facility expansions, automation projects).

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, food science, or related field; Advanced degree strongly preferred.

• 15+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing/operations, including 5+ years at Director/VP level.

• Demonstrated experience leading production planning & S&OP processes, commercialization of new business (preferably in food/CPG industries), large-scale manufacturing operations, capital investments projects and utilization.

• Strong knowledge of food safety systems (GMP, HACCP, BRC/SQF).

• Proven ability to manage multi-site operations, budgets, and cross-functional teams.

• Track record of delivering operational improvements in OEE, cost, safety, and customer service.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills.

• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, margins, and operational P&L.

• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to represent the company professionally in client, vendor, and internal meetings.

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

• Bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in a sitting or standing position for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.

• Manual dexterity to perform data entry functions.

• Ability to bend, pull, stoop, and reach to perform functions.

• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs.

• May be exposed to heat, fumes, noise, and humidity, etc.

• Must have the cognitive and mental capacity to perform essential job functions.

• Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Visual acuity to read documents, computer screens, files, etc.

• Ability to hear in person and via phone.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and levels of the work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, the job description does not constitute a written or implied contract for employment. Harris Spice reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Harris Spice is a certified Minority-owned business. Our business is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status.