Operations Director (Nutraceuticals/Dietary Supplements)

Gummi World LLC•Chandler, AZ

11d•$145,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Operations is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the CEO. The position sets operational strategy and drives execution across Gummi World's Chandler, Arizona facility, with periodic travel to the Gardena, California facility to promote alignment across sites. This is a hands-on, onsite executive role with full operational accountability from raw-material receiving through finished-goods shipping. The Director owns the P&L impact of production performance and helps build the systems, culture, and talent needed to scale a high-volume nutraceutical manufacturing operation. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director partners with the CEO and executive stakeholders on strategic planning, resource allocation, and long-term operational vision. The role leads a manufacturing facility of more than 60 people through significant growth, drives performance and cost outcomes, and develops organizational capability and leadership succession. The ideal candidate communicates effectively, demonstrates executive presence and high emotional intelligence, and can build trust and lead change at every organizational level.

Requirements

Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a senior leadership role.
Bachelor's degree or higher.
Working knowledge of cGMPs and FDA regulations.
Demonstrated executive presence and strategic thinking, with the ability to partner with the CEO and senior leadership team.
Strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, including the ability to align teams and stakeholders across organizational levels.
High emotional intelligence, including the ability to build trust and coach employees through performance and behavioral challenges.
Hands-on approach and comfort spending regular time on the production floor while operating credibly at the executive level.
Track record of P&L ownership or direct accountability for cost, productivity, and profitability targets.
Strong record-keeping skills and ability to calculate figures and amounts.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret inventory-related documents and write reports and procedural manuals.
Ability to solve problems involving limited standardization and concrete variables.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from the CEO, senior leadership, and executive stakeholders.
Ability to work in a dynamic, multifunctional, multicultural environment.
Willingness and ability to travel periodically to the Gardena, California facility.
Resume should reflect year-over-year accomplishments in productivity, cost targets, profit achievement, and KPIs, as well as a continuous-improvement and lean mindset.
Proficiency with modern manufacturing systems and digital tools, including ERP/MES platforms, production dashboards, and digital quality/compliance documentation.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including extended periods of sitting and walking; bending, reaching, and carrying; occasional lifting or moving of objects up to 50 pounds; and using hands, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, and hearing.
Ability to work in the described plant environment, including occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and risk of electrical shock; use of personal protective equipment is required while in the plant.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and/or medical device industry.
MBA or another advanced degree.
Technical degree.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team on operational strategy, business planning, and long-term growth initiatives.
Own operational performance and cost outcomes that affect company profitability, translating strategic goals into measurable targets.
Set the vision and direction for a high-volume manufacturing facility of more than 60 people and build the culture, systems, and leadership capability needed to scale.
Represent Operations in executive discussions concerning capital investment, headcount planning, facility expansion, and alignment with the Gardena site.
Build and develop a production leadership pipeline and succession readiness.
Achieve 100% on-time delivery and meet or exceed internal and external quality expectations.
Work toward zero PPMs and meet or exceed financial targets.
Implement Production Systems methods and targets using continuous-improvement and lean practices.
Improve safety performance and maintain compliance with facility Food Safety and Quality Management System policies, procedures, and work instructions.
Support daily team management and prioritization to meet production efficiency, cost, waste, safety, quality, and sanitation standards.
Set direction for the production team and communicate management goals clearly and consistently across the organization.
Review schedules and direct inventory, purchasing, receiving, weighing, production, packaging, and shipping to meet operational goals.
Hold routine meetings with staff and team members to establish expectations and targets.
Provide employees with information and resources to make decisions and solve problems.
Communicate how each employee contributes to individual and team performance.
Train and develop employees to coordinate their line or area in the Facilitator's absence, explaining expectations and confirming understanding.
Monitor employee progress and provide regular, constructive feedback.
Support the supply chain by identifying shortages and assisting with purchasing.
Coach team members with empathy and emotional intelligence; maintain documentation for evaluations, warnings, and related records.
Oversee coordination of production activities across assigned areas.
Coordinate with other departments and shifts regarding staffing, housekeeping, safety, and production.
Report safety issues to Production Managers and escalate security breaches, tampering attempts, contamination concerns, and other suspicious activity to management.
Oversee facility sanitation, maintenance, equipment, repairs, contractors, and third-party technicians.
Travel periodically to the Gardena, California facility to support consistent standards, culture, and operating practices across sites.
Perform other duties as assigned or needed.