Technical Director of Operations, Supply Chain - Vita Coco : Job Details

The Vita Coco Company, created in 2004 by Co-CEO Michael Kirban and Ira Liran, produces the leading brand of coconut water in the United States with a growing presence around the world. The Vita Coco Company's brands includethe leading coconut water, Vita Coco; clean energy drink Runa; premium canned water, Ever & Ever; and protein-infused water, PWR LIFT. In 2021, The Vita Coco Company became a publicly traded, Public Benefit Corporation. With a growing portfolio of natural products, The Vita Coco Company has identified its public benefit purpose as creating ethical, sustainable products that uplift communities and do right by our planet by harnessing and protecting nature's resources. In 2022, The Vita Coco Company was certified as a B Corporation furthering the Company's commitment toward operating its business as a force for good, while delivering better-for-you products. Vita Coco is headquartered in New York City with international offices in London and Singapore. In a Nutshell, we're looking for--- We are seeking an experienced Technical Director to lead our technical operations in the Americas. The successful candidate will be leading technical operations, driving continuous improvements and quality standards while supporting our business development initiatives across our supplier network and co-manufacturing partners. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong technical background and excellent leadership skills. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Project Management

• Oversee/Lead projects involving new plant installations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage overall project timelines to ensure on-time delivery.
• Guide the team in providing technical support to co-manufacturing partners during project phases and daily operations. Team Management
  • Recruit, train, and mentor technical staff.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Manage performance and development of the technical team. Operations Support
    • Direct the team's efforts to optimize Quality, Productivity, and Costs through technical support.
    • Supervise/Assist in root cause analysis, troubleshooting, and resolution of manufacturing-related issues.
    • Lead the technical aspects of execution of new package launches and product commercialization.
    • Involvement in defining technical audits plans of co-manufacturing facilities and coordinate follow-up actions.
    • Collaborate with QA Team to investigate and resolve product quality issues. Innovation & RD
      • Provide technical guidance on executing trials for new process development with co-manufacturing partners.
      • Drive product improvements and new product formulations, leveraging team expertise and the Innovation team needs.
      • Support and oversee technical feasibility and manufacturing audits for potential new partners and suppliers. Operations Management
        • Define and lead a technical consultancy service team across co-manufacturer network.
        • Direct efforts to streamline operations and identify cost-saving opportunities.
        • Assess network capacities and capabilities to support supply chain planning.
        • Define and lead cost savings and optimization initiatives in technical and Supply Chain operations. Quality Assurance
          • Collaborate with Quality executives to ensure product reliability and safety.
          • Develop and reinforce quality standards.
          • Maintain relationships with manufacturing partners to strengthen operations. Sustainability
            • Lead and define the company's sustainability framework.
            • Establish carbon and water footprint assessments for operations (Scope 1, 2) and partners (Scope 3).
            • Enable live assessment of product Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
            • Define approaches to reduce environmental impact and generate carbon credits. Qualifications:
              • Bachelor's degree in Food Sciences, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
              • Minimum of 10 years of experience in technical operations and project management.
              • Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control, and continuous improvement methodologies.
              • Excellent leadership and communication skills.
              • Experience working with co-manufacturing partners and managing complex projects.
              • Understanding of sustainability principles and life cycle assessment.
              • Ability to travel as required.
              • Proficiency in Portuguese is a plus. If you're a dynamic leader with a passion for driving technical excellence and innovation in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. #J-18808-Ljbffr