Job title: VP of Operations

Location: Glendale Heights, IL *must be based in IL, within a 1-2 hr drive to/from Glendale Heights*
Reports to: CEO

Job type: Full-time

Overview:

NSI is a leading player in the natural private label food industry, dedicated to providing high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced food products to consumers. We are focused on building a high-performing, scalable operation that can support continued business growth. As we continue to expand, we are looking for a strategic and hands-on VP of Operations to lead our operations and help take our manufacturing and logistics network to the next level. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who combines operational excellence, strong leadership, commercial instincts, data-driven decision-making, and a passion for building scalable systems and partnerships.

Mission:

The VP of Operations will lead both the day-to-day operating business and the development of NSI's U.S. manufacturing network. You will oversee the team responsible for operating the existing business while also leading the continued development of a network of co-packers, co-manufacturers, 3PLs, and other strategic operational partners.

The ideal candidate is not someone who simply maintains an existing operation. You are someone who sees opportunities, asks "How can we do this better?", uses data and technology to solve problems, and has the drive to turn ideas into measurable improvements. You will also be expected to build strong relationships with manufacturing and logistics partners while being a strong negotiator who knows how to protect NSI's interests.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the Operations organization and ensure the business operates efficiently, reliably, and consistently.
• Establish and manage key operational KPIs, with a strong focus on OTIF, service levels, quality, food safety, capacity, and reliability.
• Identify operational gaps and drive corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Create clear ownership, accountability, priorities, and performance expectations across the team.
• Lead the development and optimization of NSI's U.S. network of co-packers, co-manufacturers, 3PLs, and other strategic partners.
• Develop long-term relationships with manufacturing and logistics partners.
• Identify new partners and opportunities to increase capacity, reliability, scalability, and competitiveness.
• Negotiate manufacturing and logistics contracts, pricing, capacity, service levels, and commercial terms.
• Develop partnerships that help prevent unnecessary cost increases and create greater cost stability.
• Build robust planning and forecasting capabilities across demand, manufacturing capacity, inventory, production, and logistics.
• Anticipate operational needs and risks rather than reacting to them.
• Ensure our manufacturing and logistics network can support future growth.
• Build a highly data- and systems-driven operating environment.
• Improve operational visibility through dashboards, reporting, and data infrastructure.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve efficiency.
• Leverage AI and technology to improve planning, forecasting, risk identification, and decision-making.
• Lead the implementation of new tools and processes and effectively manage organizational change.
• Partner closely with Quality to maintain high standards of food safety and quality across the manufacturing network.
• Implement and enforce Quality Control standards at co-packers and co-manufacturers.
• Ensure appropriate specifications, controls, testing, inspections, corrective actions, and accountability are in place.
• Build and develop a high-performing Operations organization.
• Establish a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Develop strong leaders and build organizational capability ahead of growth.
• Partner effectively across Procurement, Quality, Finance, Sales, R&D, Customer Operations, and other teams.
• Serve as a trusted operational partner to the CEO.
• Translate company strategy into clear operational priorities and execution.
• Communicate risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations clearly.
• Challenge assumptions when necessary and consistently bring solutions-not simply problems to the executive team.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 15-20 years of relevant experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field.
• Significant experience managing a complex network of U.S. food manufacturing facilities, co-packers, co-manufacturers, and/or strategic manufacturing partners.
• Experience managing a large network; experience with 50+ facilities or partners is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing and food safety.
• Proven experience with demand planning, forecasting, capacity planning, inventory, production, and logistics.
• Experience with ERP, MRP, MPS, or similar planning and operational systems.
• Demonstrated experience implementing systems, dashboards, reporting, automation, or data infrastructure.
• Experience applying AI, automation, or advanced technology to operations is highly valued.
• Strong contract and commercial negotiation experience.
• Experience negotiating with and managing third-party manufacturers and logistics partners in the U.S.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25-30% of the time.

Work environment:

• Illinois-based remote role. Candidates must reside in Illinois and be able to work remotely, with regular travel to NSI's offices for in-person team collaboration, leadership meetings, strategic planning, and other business needs.
• Travel of approximately 25-30% is required to visit co-packing/co-manufacturing partners, 3PLs, industry partners, and other operational sites.

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