Outsourcing/ Co- Packaging Manager

Job Summary:

The Outsourcing / Co-Packaging Manager in a meat manufacturing facility is responsible for managing relationships with third-party co-packers, suppliers, and vendors. This role involves overseeing the co-packing process, ensuring product quality, tracking production schedules, and ensuring compliance with food safety and industry regulations. The manager will play a key role in optimizing production capacity, cost efficiency, and timely delivery of products while maintaining high-quality standards in the meat manufacturing sector.

Office Environment: 75% of the work is conducted in an office setting, involving time spent on computer research, project management, and communication with team members and stakeholders. Frequent participation in both in-person and virtual meetings, including project updates, strategy sessions, and presentations to management and stakeholders.

Production Environment: 20% Regular visits to the production areas will involve exposure to machinery, noise, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions.

Travel: >5% Occasional travel for training, meetings, conferences, etc.

Schedule: Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed based on operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Co-Packing Management:

a. Identify new, maintain current, and work with co-packing partners based on their capabilities, expertise, and adherence to food safety standards.

b. Oversee day-to-day operations with co-packing partners to ensure the timely, accurate, and cost-effective production of products.

2. Supplier and Vendor Relationships:

a. Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure consistency in raw material availability, quality, and price.

b. Monitor supplier performance and resolve any issues related to supply chain, quality, or delivery.

c. Provides support in the sales process through the development of transition approaches, estimates, timelines, resource requirements, and information describing the value of mobilization.

d. Be the main point of contact for incoming and potential customers, handling incoming inquiries and soliciting new business, and you will shepherd customers through contract, onboarding, and licensing processes to production.

3. Production Planning and Scheduling:

a. Coordinate with internal production teams and co-packers to align production schedules, ensuring that demand is met on time.

b. Monitor and manage inventory levels, ensuring sufficient materials for production without excess stock.

c. Maintain project schedules for new product introductions and process improvement initiatives.

d. Address any production delays or issues, ensuring that timelines are met.

4. Quality Control and Compliance:

a. Ensure that all outsourced co-packing operations comply with food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP) and internal quality standards.

b. Work with co-packers to develop and implement quality control processes to prevent product defects.

c. Perform regular audits of co-packing operations to ensure compliance with specifications and standards.

5. Documentation and Reporting:

a. Track and report on cost savings or increases in outsourcing arrangements.

b. Maintain accurate records of outsourcing contracts, agreements, and performance metrics.

c. Generate regular reports on production status, costs, quality issues, and any other relevant performance indicators.

Qualifications:

a. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Food Science, or related field (preferred); or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

b. 5 years of experience in manufacturing, preferably in the food or meat processing industry.

c. Solution-oriented problem solver possessing a growth mindset.

d. Knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP, FDA, USDA regulations, and quality control processes.

e. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple partners and priorities.

f. Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

g. Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

h. Experience in managing budgets and cost control within a manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions/ Physical Requirements:

a. Regular visits to production areas will involve exposure to machinery, high noise levels, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions.

b. Must be comfortable sharing office space with other professionals and performing repetitive, computer-based tasks. This includes extended periods of sitting, reaching with hands and arms, and using input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and other tools. The role requires maintaining focus on detailed screen work for prolonged durations, including tasks such as data analysis, report preparation, and troubleshooting operational issues.

c. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, and bend for extended periods.

d. Ability to work around ingredients and/or finished products containing food allergens.

e. Must be able to communicate through various channels, including phone, email, face-to-face, and videoconferencing, effectively building and presenting organized data and plans to executive leadership, internal and external groups of various sizes, and key stakeholders.

The physical demands described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job. Other duties or tasks may be assigned as required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Cloverdale Foods Company offers a competitive compensation package and an excellent benefits program. For confidential consideration, please send your resume to HRDept@cloverdalefoods.com or Fax: 701-663-0690. To comply with government recordkeeping requirements, please go to http://www.cloverdalefoods.com/employment/apply.asp and send us a completed Online Application along with your resume/cover letter.

Cloverdale Foods Company is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000 - $90,000