Vice President of Manufacturing

Traditional Medicinals

Rohnert Park, CA, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Manufacturing

Full Time

Job Description

Job DescriptionAt Traditional Medicinals, we are dedicated to offering premium wellness products that harness the power of plants. Our herbal teas, supplements, and wellness products are crafted with integrity, sustainability, and a deep respect for the healing potential of nature. As a leader in the wellness and herbal space, we’re passionate about making a positive impact on the world. We are seeking an innovative and results-oriented Vice President of Manufacturing to join our leadership team. This role will oversee our global manufacturing operations, encompassing in-house production and co-manufacturing relationships, while ensuring adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and sustainability goals.

Summary:
The Vice President of Manufacturing will be responsible for driving operational excellence across multiple manufacturing plants, overseeing co-manufacturing partnerships, and leading engineering teams within Traditional Medicinals. This role will have a direct impact on the company's ability to meet production goals, enhance product quality, optimize manufacturing processes, and ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). The VP will work closely with the senior leadership team to implement scalable and sustainable solutions across all manufacturing operations. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a manufacturing strategy in a fast-paced, mission-driven company within the Food, Beverage, Supplements, and CPG industries.

Essential Functions:
Manufacturing Strategy & Leadership (Make):

Lead and oversee the production operations across multiple manufacturing plants and co-manufacturing partners.
Define and implement manufacturing strategies that ensure efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective production in line with company goals.
Ensure seamless integration between in-house production and external manufacturing partners to maintain quality, cost efficiency, and production continuity.
Establish and monitor performance metrics (KPIs) to ensure operational excellence and product quality.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing production efficiency, reducing waste, and improving throughput.

Engineering & Technology:

Lead engineering teams in implementing innovative manufacturing technologies and automation solutions to optimize processes.
Ensure the scalability of manufacturing operations by applying engineering best practices and leveraging technology to improve capacity and flexibility.
Champion the adoption of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to stay ahead in the competitive food, beverage, and supplement sectors.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) & Regulatory Compliance:

Ensure all manufacturing processes are compliant with GMP standards and other relevant regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, USDA Organic certifications).
Maintain rigorous quality control standards and ensure product safety and quality at every stage of the manufacturing process.
Lead training programs to ensure that all team members and manufacturing partners understand and follow industry regulations and quality standards.

Supply Chain Coordination & Production Scheduling:

Work closely with the Supply Chain Operations and Procurement teams to develop accurate production schedules, ensuring alignment with customer demand, seasonal fluctuations, and inventory targets.
Collaborate with internal and external teams to identify and resolve production bottlenecks, delays, and quality issues.

Sustainability & Environmental Impact:

Lead initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of manufacturing operations, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing.
Drive innovations in sustainable manufacturing, including the use of eco-friendly packaging and optimizing resource utilization.
Work with sustainability teams to ensure all production facilities meet or exceed environmental standards and achieve corporate sustainability goals.

Production Safety & Compliance:

Accountable for the overall safety of all manufacturing operations, ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.
Collaborate closely with the Safety and Compliance leaders to develop and implement safety protocols, monitor safety performance, and drive a culture of safety awareness across all production teams.
Lead incident investigations and drive corrective actions to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal safety regulations.
Oversee the continuous improvement of safety processes to prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and unsafe practices.

Team Leadership & Development:

Build and nurture a high-performance, diverse team across manufacturing plants, co-manufacturing partners, and engineering functions.
Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement in all manufacturing areas.
Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for team members, ensuring succession planning for key roles.

Financial Management & Budget Control:

Own the P&L for manufacturing operations, driving efficiency improvements while managing costs and capital expenditures.
Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through process optimization, automation, and strategic partnerships.
Ensure the timely execution of capital projects, ensuring projects stay within budget and meet targeted outcomes.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership:

Collaborate with R&D, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure that product designs are manufacturable at scale and meet consumer needs.
Proactively engage with senior leadership to develop strategic plans that align manufacturing capabilities with business goals and market demand.
Provide clear, actionable insights into leadership on manufacturing trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
18+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in the Food, Beverage, Supplements, or CPG industries.

Knowledge/ Abilities/Skills:

Proven expertise in leading manufacturing operations, with a focus on scalability, quality, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Strong knowledge of GMP, FDA regulations, and food safety standards.
Familiarity with organic certification processes and the unique requirements of organic food production is a plus.
Experience in managing co-manufacturing relationships and third-party vendors.
Proficiency in ERP systems and manufacturing execution systems (MES) such as Microsoft 365, Kinaxis, or similar platforms.
Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire teams and collaborate effectively across functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

New Plant Startups & Greenfield Operations: Proven experience in successfully launching and scaling new manufacturing plants, including greenfield operations, from site build to full-scale production.
Direct experience in the Food, Beverage, Supplements, or Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors.
A track record of successful process optimization, lean manufacturing, and cost management.
Experience with sustainable manufacturing practices and energy-efficient solutions.
Knowledge of industry-leading technologies in manufacturing automation, robotics, and data analytics.

Personal Attributes:

A strategic leader with a hands-on approach to manufacturing challenges.
Passionate about sustainability and the ethical production of wellness products.
Results-driven, with a proven ability to deliver operational improvements while maintaining high standards of quality.
A proactive communicator with a collaborative mindset who excels in fast-paced environments.

Travel Requirements: 25% to multiple manufacturing sites.

Office Hours/Location:
This position is based in Rohnert Park, CA. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 pm. This is a hybrid role offering the flexibility to occasionally work remotely. Expected in-offices days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Subject to change.

Traditional Medicinals, Inc. and its subsidiaries are proud equal-opportunity employers. We wholeheartedly embrace authenticity, diversity, and people's differences. We acknowledge, celebrate, and support individuality to the great advantage of our consumers, our stakeholders, our products, and the planet. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace for all our people.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

e82I4XabuY