Director of Operations - Beverage Manufacturing - The Functional Factory : Job Details

Company Overview:

The Functional Factory, LLC is an industry-leading manufacturer of hemp-infused, federally permissible non-alcoholic beverages. Operating from a 120,000 sq. ft. production facility, we specialize in a variety of packaging formats, including cans, bottles, kegs, and shots. With a commitment to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, we are setting new standards in the functional beverage space.

Our manufacturing team currently consists of over 20 team members and is expected to grow significantly over the next three to six months. As part of this expansion, we seek a Director of Operations to drive operational excellence across our production facility.

Position Summary:

The Director of Operations will lead, manage, and own the company's new formulation development, procurement, production, quality, safety, maintenance, and inventory management. Reporting directly to the President, this individual will play a critical role in driving efficiency, innovation, and growth while ensuring compliance with all industry regulations.

The Director of Operations will be responsible for batch operations, end-to-end manufacturing process, certifications/compliance, and developing a culture to meet our high-quality standards, ensuring we maintain cost efficiency and scalability.

This role offers the opportunity to leverage existing experience to create new processes, procedures, and best practices while having a meaningful influence on the future of the manufacturing organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Strategy: Lead and develop a high-performing production team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Production & Manufacturing: Oversee daily batch operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with GMP standards.
• New Formulation & Innovation: Work closely with R&D teams to develop and integrate new beverage formulations into production while maintaining cost-effective processes.
• Procurement & Supply Chain: Optimize sourcing strategies and relationships with raw material suppliers to maintain cost efficiency and high product quality.
• Quality & Safety Compliance: Implement and enforce strict quality control measures and regulatory compliance in collaboration with the Director of Quality & Safety.
• Maintenance & Facility Management: Ensure production equipment is running at optimal performance levels, reducing downtime through preventive maintenance initiatives.
• Inventory & Cost Control: Establish and maintain efficient inventory management systems, reducing waste and improving forecasting accuracy.
• Hiring & Team Development: Oversee hiring, onboarding, and training of new employees, growing the team by 8-10 members in the next three months.
• Reporting Structure:

The Director of Operations will directly oversee and add additional roles as necessary to support the facility's growth:

• Director of Quality & Safety
• Head of Production
• Head of Maintenance
• Packaging Manager (1st Shift)
• Packaging Manager (2nd Shift)

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Experience:
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in beverage manufacturing or CPG production.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing high-growth manufacturing operations, preferably in non-alcoholic beverage production.
• Strong expertise in formulation, procurement, batch operations, and co-packer management.

Technical Proficiency:

• Experience working with ERP systems, inventory management tools, and production planning software. Knowledge of Ekos is a plus.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, data analytics, and process optimization.
• Familiarity with equipment and testing: HPLC, Mass Spec, Anton Paar, Seam Scan.
• Process & Compliance Knowledge:
• Deep understanding of GMP and HACCP regulations within beverage manufacturing.
• Proven ability to implement and scale lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

Why Join Us?

• Be a key leader in a rapidly growing and innovative non-alcoholic beverage company.
• Work in a state-of-the-art 120,000 sq. ft. production facility with cutting-edge technology.
• Lead a high-impact team with direct ownership over critical operations.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and career growth opportunities in an emerging industry.

If you are a dynamic operations leader with a passion for high-growth beverage production and the ability to drive efficiency, quality, and team success, we want to hear from you!

Learn more at: Functional Factory