Job Description
Job DescriptionTitle: Director of OperationsReports to: CEOFull-time, on-sight: Monday – Friday (with Mon-Thur schedule overlapping production team 5am – 3:30pm as needed)Salary: $150,000 - $165,000FLSA 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
- Bachelor’s 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
- Master’s degree or MBA
- Bilingual English/Spanish
Success Metrics in first 12–18 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