Operations Manager

Position Overview:

The Senior Operations Manager is responsible for executing production and inventory management, forecasting, production planning, and scheduling for assigned beverage clients. Primary responsibility is to support and manage beverage production with co-packers for our clients’ day-to-day operations, driving client satisfaction and high-quality results.

Principle Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage the complex operations of several outsourced beverage projects.
• Maintain an elite level of client satisfaction to create raving customers and drive profitability.
• Confidently and efficiently own problem solving for your accounts, driving resolution quickly with partners and clients.
• Serve as an industry expert and escalated team resource for problem solving and client concerns.
• Effectively schedule, plan, and execute productions with swiftness and a zero-defect mindset.
• Track and reconcile raw material and finished goods inventory and report timely and accurately.
• Key advocate and leader of process improvement internally and with customers / suppliers.
• Partner with co-packers to ensure all quality and production expectations are met.
• Plan and lead recurring operational client meetings.
• Participate in client strategy discussions in monthly, quarterly, and annual business reviews.
• Ensure NetSuite data accuracy regarding work orders, purchase orders, assembly builds, order statuses, etc.
• Advise clients on cost saving strategies and identify opportunities for supply chain efficiencies.
• Investigate, facilitate, and resolve expensive claims by collaborating with Development, Accounting, Compliance, Material Planning, etc.
• Be flexible to cross over into the Development business to take on the pre-production duties of product development, including:
• Ensure delivery and completion of all development deliverables including formulations, copacker identification, cost of goods sold and cash schedule, production set-up, and first production planning.
• Quickly acquire command of our NetSuite system & Smartsheet project planning software.
• Properly onboard or validate onboarding of production customers in NetSuite, set up their raw materials, and create their finished goods (other activity: setup pack fees, raw material item updates, assemble bill of materials, review cost of goods sold and cash modeling for new product concepts).
• Review Development SOWs to ensure complete understanding of project scope.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in business or technical discipline or equivalent of 5+ years of related professional experience.
• 5 years minimum of applicable experience in the operational planning.
• 5+ years of experience leading successful client projects.
• Experience in the food and beverage industry or consumer packaged goods.
• Capable of managing 6-8 production clients simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• NetSuite MRP or general NetSuite ERP experience and advanced in Excel are big pluses.
• Proven track record of developing strong business relationships by building trust and rapport with clients, colleagues, and partners.
• Proven understanding of cost structures of raw materials and finished goods, as well as financial impacts of production deadlines.
• High degree of learning agility.
• Base knowledge of beverage industry standards of quality, food safety and compliance regulations including FDA, GFSI, USDA, TTB, CFIA, etc.
• Passionate and customer service driven with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Willing and flexible to travel up to 25%.