Director of Manufacturing

Location : Vista, CA

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About Us : Nordic Naturals is a leading supplement company dedicated to providing high-quality nutritional products that promote health and wellness. Our commitment to excellence in manufacturing and product development has established us as a trusted brand in the industry. We are passionate about improving lives through our innovative supplements and are seeking a Director of Manufacturing to join our team and lead our manufacturing operations to new heights.

Position Overview : As the Director of Manufacturing, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the manufacturing process to ensure the efficient production of high-quality nutritional supplements. You will lead a team of manufacturing professionals and work closely with other departments to optimize processes, drive continuous improvement, and uphold the highest standards of quality and safety.

Key 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 roll out company’s Lean Six Sigma Program, 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, 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 :

• Education and Experience :
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management; a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Engineering is a strong plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 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.
• Lean Manufacturing Expertise :
• Demonstrated success in implementing and sustaining Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and Continuous Improvement) in highly regulated environments.
• Experience driving operational excellence, reducing waste, and improving process efficiencies, specifically in supplement, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing settings.
• Industry-Specific Skills :
• Strong preference for candidates with direct experience in pill, capsule, or softgel manufacturing processes.
• Expertise in managing high-volume production lines with strict quality and safety standards.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation and Industry 4.0 applications, is a plus.
• Labor Management and Team Leadership :
• Extensive experience in managing and optimizing labor resources, including scheduling, workforce planning, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead and develop cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Skilled in implementing training programs to enhance employee skills and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
• Financial Acumen and Budget Management :
• 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.
• Regulatory and Compliance Acumen :
• In-depth understanding of FDA, cGMP, NSF, and other regulatory requirements governing dietary supplement or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead audits and ensure compliance with all relevant standards and certifications.
• Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills :
• 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.
• Communication and Collaboration :
• 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.
• Nice to Have :
• Familiarity with encapsulation, tableting, and coating processes, as well as packaging technologies used in supplement manufacturing.
• Experience managing facilities with temperature-controlled or cleanroom environments.

Pay, Benefits & Perks :

The estimated annual pay for this role is $190,000 to $200,000. This pay is an estimate and the exact compensation may vary depending on an applicant's location, skills, prior experience, professional qualifications, and other relevant factors. Additional compensation may also include incentive compensation (i.e. bonus or commission) if applicable.

At Nordic Naturals, ‘step one’ toward achieving our goal of a healthy world is taking care of our family of employees. We offer a comprehensive and attractive benefits program to employees and eligible family members. Our benefits & perks include the following :

Nordic Naturals is an equal opportunity employer. A pre-employment drug screening and background check are conditions of employment.

At Nordic Naturals, we’re committed to delivering the world’s safest, most effective nutrients essential to health. Our award-winning omega-3 fish oil and other foundational nutrients are research supported, expertly formulated, rigorously tested, proven effective and, best of all, great tasting. With products for the whole family, we deliver the nutrients essential for healthy living.

Nordic Naturals has been revolutionizing omega-3s since 1995, pioneering a new definition of fish oil as it relates to purity, freshness, taste, and dosage. Headquartered in Watsonville, CA, the company has expanded beyond solely omega-3s and offers complementary, foundational nutrients essential to health. Our portfolio, which is distributed to over 35 countries, includes more than 200 products in a variety of flavors and formulations for adults, kids, athletes, and pets. Family owned; Nordic Naturals works passionately to see generations of healthier, happier people around the world.

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Salary : $190,000 - $200,000