Director of Contract Manufacturing

About the Company

The VMS Co-Op comprises rapidly expanding companies in the Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS) sector, including OLLY, SmartyPants, and upcoming acquisitions. The Director of Contract Manufacturing position is based at OLLY.

Role Overview

This leadership role demands expertise in forging strategic partnerships while ensuring contract manufacturers meet high standards daily. The role requires a proactive leader with excellent business acumen, negotiation abilities, analytical skills, and experience implementing innovative supply chain and continuous improvement initiatives. Collaborating with internal cross-functional teams, the director will identify top-tier partners to support product innovation and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives such as network design, supplier selection, capacity and contingency planning, bolstering supply chain resilience.
• Negotiate, manage, and oversee contracts securing favorable pricing, service, and value while collaborating with legal and procurement teams.
• Manage supplier relationships, establish and monitor KPIs, drive quality and service enhancements, and spearhead root cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Oversee financial aspects including pricing forecasts, budget management, cost strategies, and identifying continuous improvement opportunities.
• Work closely with key stakeholders within Unilever, Wellbeing Collective, Quality, and R&D teams to align strategies and ensure exceptional product delivery.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team fostering accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement culture.
• Support sustainability and social responsibility initiatives aligned with B-Corp values across the supply chain.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned supply chain leader with extensive experience in external manufacturing, supplier management, and strategic partnerships within consumer packaged goods. This individual possesses a strong ownership mentality, excels in both strategic planning and hands-on execution, and thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Effective communication, stakeholder influence, and problem-solving skills are essential, alongside comfort handling complex challenges.

Qualifications and Skills

• 8 to 12 years of progressive experience in supply chain management, strategic sourcing, and contract manufacturing in the CPG industry.
• Preferred experience in the vitamins, minerals, and supplements manufacturing field.
• Proven expertise managing extensive contract manufacturing networks and supplier relationships.
• Strong grasp of manufacturing operations, quality control systems, and supply chain risk management.
• Proficiency in negotiating and administering complex supplier contracts and commercial agreements.
• Solid financial skills incorporating budget management, forecasting, and cost-efficiency projects.
• Track record of leading, coaching, and developing effective teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with a transparent and collaborative approach.
• Analytical mindset with adeptness in decision-making amidst uncertainty.
• Adaptable and agile leadership capable of shifting between strategy and operations effectively.
• Ability to distill complex topics and communicate business impacts to diverse groups.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.

Interview Process

• Initial video screening with Talent team.
• First round: Discussion with Hiring Manager and team members.
• Second round: Multiple conversations with team and cross-functional staff.
• Final round: Presentation of pre-assigned homework questions to interview panel.
• Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for the interview process.

Additional Information

• Location: Remote within the United States, requiring approximately four company offsite travels annually.
• Work Hours: Full-time, exempt (salary).
• Reports to: Chief Supply Chain Officer, VMS Co-Op.
• Travel Requirement: Approximately 30% including company offsites.
• U.S. work authorization without sponsorship is mandatory.
• Compensation: Base salary range from $162,000 to $198,000, adjusted by location and experience. Includes benefits such as 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision insurance, four weeks PTO plus holidays, mental health days, paid parental leave, fertility and adoption benefits, annual bonus, 401(k) with employer match, hybrid work allowances, wellness and cell phone stipends, and complimentary products.