Director of Processing

Job Title: Director of Processing

Department: Bonifresh / Bonita

Location: Santa Maria, CA

Reports To: Vice President, Cooler Operations

Pay Range: $100,000 - $150,000 (15% Bonus)

Summary

The Director of Processing will develop and implement manufacturing strategies that align with the overall goals and objectives of the company. This includes identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the manufacturing process, developing and implementing production forecasting and replenishment systems, and monitoring and analyzing manufacturing data to make informed decisions about production, demand fulfillment and inventory management.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement strategic plans to optimize manufacturing operations, improve efficiency, and meet production goals while ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of manufacturing managers and supervisors to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Process Optimization: Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement initiatives to streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
• Quality Assurance: Implement a right-first-time quality culture, and implement process improvement programs, tools and practices.
• Regulatory and Food Safety Compliance: Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, FDA and industry standards related to manufacturing processes, product quality, and safety.
• Cost Management: Develop and manage manufacturing budgets, product costing models, monitor expenses, and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or safety.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including research and development, finance, supply chain, and logistics, to coordinate activities and achieve company goals.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of continuous improvement by implementing best practices, fostering innovation, and encouraging employee involvement in process optimization initiatives.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and monitor manufacturing performance, identify areas for improvement, and drive operational excellence.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks to manufacturing operations and develop strategies to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity.

Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or Supply Chain  

·        Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, with at least 3 years in a Director or Senior Manager role.

·        Proven track record in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance within regulated environments such as supplements, food, or pharmaceuticals.

·        Experience driving operational excellence, reducing waste, and improving process efficiencies, specifically in supplement, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing settings.

·        Extensive experience in managing and optimizing labor resources, including scheduling, workforce planning, and productivity improvement initiatives.

·        Strong understanding of manufacturing finances, including cost analysis, budgeting, and financial forecasting.

·        Proven ability to manage and optimize manufacturing budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and alignment with financial goals.

·        Experience in driving cost-saving initiatives while maintaining product quality and regulatory compliance.

·        Expertise in root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and corrective action implementation to resolve production and quality issues.

·        Data-driven decision-maker with proficiency in using metrics to measure performance and drive improvement.

·        Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and align teams across all levels of the organization.

·        Strong partnership skills to work effectively with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and external stakeholders.

·        Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies for process improvements.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods.
• Must be able to climb stairs.
• Lifting may be required.

Work Environment:

• Works outdoors/indoors
• Works in warm/cold climates
• Works in high places
• Works on wet surfaces
• Is exposed to loud noise, fumes and/or toxic chemicals
• Works near moving, mechanical parts and lift truck traffic
• Must be able to move up to 55 lbs.