Director of Contract Manufacturing – Food / Beverage
Location: Columbia, TN 38401
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the operations of contract bottling, blending, and packaging, ensuring smooth execution from production planning to delivery.
- Develop and maintain production schedules in line with customer demands, ensuring optimal use of manpower and raw materials.
- Design and implement best practices, process flows, and daily standard work for the contract bottling department.
- Oversee a diverse team of permanent and temporary staff, ensuring cross-training for operational flexibility.
- Collaborate with leadership in shaping strategic business initiatives and contribute to overall business planning.
- Supervise the entire bottling process, providing direction to key roles such as Bottling Manager, Blending Technicians, and Inventory Technicians.
- Work closely with internal departments such as production, procurement, quality assurance, sales, and logistics to meet operational goals.
- Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, as well as adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Establish and monitor KPIs for run rates, quality, staffing, and financial performance, driving operational efficiency.
- Implement and enforce rigorous quality control standards in a GFSI-certified facility, minimizing defects.
- Maintain flexibility to adjust to dynamic production schedules and client needs.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA).
- 5+ years of leadership experience in a food or beverage contract production or co-packing environment.
- Hands-on experience in GFSI-certified facilities, such as BRC or SQF.
- Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, with the ability to analyze costs and identify areas for improvement.
- Proven experience in financial control and budget management within a manufacturing setting.
- Ability to effectively manage complex client relationships, materials, and logistics.
- Proficiency in Office Suites and ERP systems.
