Vice President of Plant Operations

About FreshDirect

FreshDirect is a premier online grocer specializing in delivering the freshest quality food products directly to consumers and businesses. Our innovative facility, cutting-edge supply chain, and skilled team enable us to rapidly provide fresh produce, premium proteins, prepared meals, and daily essentials with outstanding accuracy and speed. Operational excellence, food safety, and continuous innovation are central to our mission.

Role Overview

The Vice President of Plant Operations plays a pivotal role within the Operations Leadership Team, responsible for steering the strategic direction and day-to-day management of manufacturing, fulfillment, warehousing, shipping, and inventory operations at FreshDirect. This senior executive leads diverse cross-functional teams to drive efficiency, quality, safety, and scalability in our high-volume food production and distribution facilities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategically lead and supervise all aspects of plant operations including production, warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, inventory control, and sanitation.
• Manage and coordinate operational personnel ensuring efficient execution across multiple departments daily.
• Design and implement operational strategies aligned with company growth, customer satisfaction, and long-term objectives.
• Continuously analyze operational workflows to identify and drive improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
• Assume full responsibility for the plant’s financial performance, including overhead, labor, productivity, cost-per-order, budgeting, and forecast management.
• Develop and oversee annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital expense projects.
• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators related to safety, quality, productivity, labor, inventory accuracy, customer service, and financial results.
• Lead manufacturing excellence initiatives through Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and similar process improvement methodologies.
• Ensure full compliance with FDA, USDA, OSHA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and other relevant regulations, fostering a culture prioritizing food and workplace safety.
• Plan and direct capacity strategy, facility optimization, automation projects, and expand operational scalability to support business growth.
• Oversee capital improvements from initial concept through to implementation ensuring achievement of ROI targets.
• Guarantee efficient planning, execution, performance measurement, and continuous enhancement of manufacturing, warehousing, and fulfillment operations.
• Build and mentor a high-performing Operations Leadership Team emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and ongoing improvement.
• Foster a workplace culture valuing safety, operational excellence, innovation, employee engagement, and superior customer experience.
• Hold managers accountable for departmental goals and operational performance standards through routine coaching and performance assessments.
• Develop and implement succession and leadership development programs to bolster organizational strength.
• Drive initiatives to enhance employee retention and professional growth.
• Maintain transparent communication throughout the organization via regular operational meetings and open leadership style.
• Collaborate closely with Human Resources on workforce planning, hiring, organizational growth, and employee relations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field (MBA highly preferred).
• At least 10 years of advanced leadership experience managing manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or fulfillment operations in large, complex, high-volume environments; experience in food manufacturing, grocery, or consumer packaged goods is preferred.
• Proven track record leading operations with full accountability for profit and loss.
• Successful history of driving operational transformations, boosting productivity, and spearheading continuous improvements.
• Deep expertise in logistics, inventory flow, materials management, procurement, and supply chain operations.
• Experienced in scaling operations and optimizing processes in fast-growing organizations.
• Strong familiarity with high-volume pick, pack, production, and fulfillment settings where productivity, quality, and service metrics are critical.

Skills and Competencies

• Executive-level insight into manufacturing operations, warehouse management, distribution, inventory control, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operations strategy.
• Excellent financial management capabilities, adept at handling complex budgets and improving profitability.
• Expert knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Capability to lead complex change efforts and coordinate large, cross-functional teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical problem solving, decision-making, and executive communication skills.
• Experience working with ERP systems, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and operational technology integration.
• Ability to manage continuous 24/7 production and fulfillment operations while balancing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated success improving operational KPIs related to productivity, quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Hands-on leadership approach with a focus on motivating, coaching, and developing leaders at every level.
• Track record of fostering accountability, innovation, and cultivating a high-performance culture.
• Dedication to developing future leadership through mentorship, succession planning, and career advancement.

Additional Information

FreshDirect is committed to equal opportunity employment and promoting an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive and achieve their potential.