Job Description

We are partnered with a a dynamic, private equity-backed ingredients, flavors, and sauces company with ambitious growth plans to triple in size over the next few years . With a strong product portfolio and a growing customer base, we are seeking a seasoned operations leader to help scale the business while driving operational excellence, efficiency, and profitability.

Role Overview

This is a unique, hands-on executive role combining VP of Operations and General Manager responsibilities . The ideal candidate will have a strong operational background in the ingredients, flavors, or food production space and a proven track record of turnarounds and scaling businesses . You will be responsible for overseeing the full spectrum of operations — manufacturing, supply chain, quality, logistics, and continuous improvement — while partnering closely with the CEO and private equity investors to execute aggressive growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day operations across manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality, and logistics.
• Develop and execute strategies to scale the business to $100M+ , ensuring operational processes and infrastructure keep pace with growth.
• Identify and implement operational improvements, including cost optimization, workflow automation, and process standardization.
• Drive turnaround initiatives for underperforming areas, ensuring sustainable improvements in efficiency, throughput, and profitability.
• Partner with private equity stakeholders on strategic initiatives, including M&A, capital projects, and operational performance metrics.
• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams, instilling a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, food safety standards, and quality assurance programs across all manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and R&D teams to ensure operational alignment with business growth objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven operational leadership in the ingredients, flavors, or food production industries.
• Hands-on experience in high-growth and/or turnaround environments , preferably in a private equity-backed business.
• Strong financial acumen , with experience managing budgets, P&L, and operational KPIs.
• Experience leading multi-site manufacturing or co-manufacturing networks a plus.
• Exceptional problem-solving, project management, and people leadership skills .
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced business degree preferred.

Why Join

• Opportunity to shape the operations of a high-growth, PE-backed company with ambitious expansion plans.
• Work closely with seasoned leadership and investors to execute strategic initiatives and make a tangible impact.
• Lead a passionate, high-performing team dedicated to excellence and innovation in the ingredients and flavors industry.

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