Operations Director

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Title: Director of Operations
Reports to: CEO
Full-time, on-sight: Monday Friday (with Mon-Thur schedule overlapping production team 5am 3:30pm as needed)
Salary: $150,000 - $165,000
FLSA Status: Exempt

Summary: Teeccino Caffe, Inc., a fast-growing, natural/organic brand of herbal teas and coffee alternatives, is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead end-to-end manufacturing and operational excellence in our SQF-certified facility. This role is accountable for production performance, team development, machine maintenance, warehouse and facilities management, food safety & quality systems, OSHA compliance, cost control, and scaling operations to support growth. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with CPG food manufacturing experience, deep knowledge of GMP regulatory compliance, and a proven track record of building high-performing teams.

Operations & Manufacturing Leadership

• Responsible for Operations function with management of Warehouse Manager, Production Planner, Production Supervisor, and Head Maintenance Mechanic
• Partner with Supply Chain on inventory management and planning
• Drive throughput, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), labor productivity, and on-time in-full (OTIF) performance
• Collaborate with R&D and Commercialization team to scale new products from pilot to full production
• Lead capacity planning and capital projects (equipment, automation, facility renovation/expansion)

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Serve as executive owner of our annual SQF certification and other compliance certifications including Organic, GFCO, and Kosher
• Ensure compliance and company-wide awareness of SQF and HACCP programs including daily GMPs and policy adherence
• Execute and optimize OSHA and workplace safety training program
• Champion a strong food and workplace safety culture across all departments

Planning and Inventory Optimization

• Oversee schedule with Production Planner to meet demand with optimal efficiency
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure raw material availability and inventory optimization while considering cash-flow impact and facility space constraints
• Manage co-manufacturers (if applicable) and logistics partners
• Oversee inventory system through current ERP, Acctivate, and a future ERP implementation

Continuous Improvement & Cost Management

• Lead Lean / Six Sigma initiatives to improve yield, reduce waste, and lower COGS
• Establish KPIs and dashboards for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and team morale
• Own operational P&L performance in partnership with CFO
• Identify and execute margin improvement initiatives

People Leadership & Culture

• Continual training and coaching to develop Production and Warehouse supervisors and team members
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and respect
• Support workforce planning, training, and succession planning
• Ensure strong labor relations and compliance with HR policies

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in CPG food or beverage manufacturing
• Proven ownership of SQF (or BRC/IFS) certification and successful audits
• Strong knowledge of FDA/FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, food safety systems, and OSHA workplace safety compliance
• Experience leading multi-functional teams
• Track record of driving operational excellence, cost reduction, and scalability
• Maintenance and Facilities Management Experience

Preferred Experience:

• Comfortable in high-growth, fast-paced, multi production line manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of ERP system integration, excel spreadsheets, and Microsoft Teams
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations, or related field
• Lean, Six Sigma, or Total Production Maintenance (TPM) certification
• Experience with ERP and inventory management systems including advanced production planning
• Masters degree or MBA
• Bilingual English/Spanish

Success Metrics in first 1218 Months

• SQF and other compliance audits completed with strong results and zero major non-conformances
• Measurable improvements in OEE, yield, and OTIF performance
• Reduced manufacturing cost per unit and improved gross margin
• Strengthened leadership capabilities and improved team member knowledge through strong SOP documentation and implementation
• Production planning optimized for efficient product runs planned at least 4-6 weeks in advance and inventory control
• Scalable operating model to support growth and smooth new product launches

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary + performance bonus
• 60% of health insurance covered. Dental and vision available.
• 401(k)
• 2 weeks PTO plus sick time and additional paid holidays

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift as well as sit at a computer for extended times
• Regular lifting and moving of up to 25 lbs.; occasional lifting up to 55 lbs
• Ability to bend, kneel, twist, climb, and reach in various directions
• Tolerance for a noisy environment