Senior Director, Co-Manufacturing

Kinder's•Walnut Creek, CA

5d•$215,000 - $235,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Kinder's is seeking a Senior Director of Co-Manufacturing to oversee the company's co-manufacturing operations. This role involves managing relationships with co-manufacturers, ensuring quality and consistency in production, and driving continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. The company is described as a privately held, founder-led CPG company that is expanding globally and approaching $1 billion in revenue. They pride themselves on being adventurous, fearless, and focused on making food unforgettable. This role offers the opportunity to see the real impact of your work and contribute to adding flavor to millions of meals and lives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in manufacturing operations or co-manufacturing, supply chain experience in the food industry.
Proven track record of managing relationships with co-manufacturers and delivering results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Demonstrated experience developing and coaching teammates and peers.
Ability to travel up to 50% of month as needed.
General computer skills (MS Office, web, etc.), ERP and advanced Excel skills preferred.
Understand how business drivers such as OPEX, CAPEX, MOQs, OEE, throughput, yield and scrap ultimately affect a deal in terms of quality, delivery, and cost.
Demonstrated understanding of end-to-end CPG supply chain processes with an emphasis on the technical aspects of food/beverage manufacturing and packaging.
Empathy, self-awareness, and respect.
Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to drive decision making.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage the Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Co Packer Review processes for co-manufacturing partners, monitor performance and drive quality, efficiency, cost and case fill improvements through KPIs and scorecards.
Evaluate operations, management teams, financial structure, and potential risks at each facility with input from FSQA, PD, Commercialization, Sourcing, Planning, Customer Services and Finance. Make internal recommendations/presentations for new products or transitions of existing products.
Establish and maintain contract manufacturing relationships, acting as a single point of contact for the supplier on production qualifications, quality/supply issues and KPIs. Serve as the tactical business link between the Co-Manufacturer and Kinder’s.
Analyze manufacturability of new products with Vendors, PD and Commercialization departments, recommending changes to facilitate efficient manufacturing and lower costs. Develop processes to ensure products can be commercially reproduced.
Model theoretical and actual (OEE) at co-packers. Balance availability of capacity against constraints to line time (clean outs, change overs, down-time, other customers’ line time) at the Co-packer.
Meet with Co-Packers to discuss ways to manage capacity consistent with sales forecasts. Prospect redundant and overflow capacity and provide recommendations for unexpected sales growth or unforeseen supply constraints.
Ensure quality and consistency in production, including establishing quality standards and conducting regular audits of co-manufacturing facilities.
Drive and document continuous improvement in manufacturing processes, identifying and implementing opportunities for cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved quality.
Stay current with industry trends and best practices in co-manufacturing and recommend changes to the company's strategy and operations as needed.