Manager of Contract Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable fruits and vegetables under our Fresh and Foods divisions. Our diverse product portfolio proudly bears the Del Monte® brand and also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts - available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years.

Benefits We Offer Include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid life & disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 7 Company Paid Holidays
• 24/7 Telemedicine & Employee Assistance Program
• Optional voluntary benefits (legal, accident, identity protection)
• Eligibility on the first of the month following your hire date

Purpose of Position:

Del Monte Foods is the Foods Division of Fresh Del Monte, a global grower, producer and marketer of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable produce. Del Monte Foods has a powerful portfolio of brands, including the iconic Del Monte®, Contadina® and S&W®. We are currently seeking a Manager of Contract Manufacturing.

As the Manager of Contract Manufacturing at Del Monte Foods, you will play a vital role in overseeing the co-manufacturing strategy and operations to ensure the successful production and delivery of high-quality products in collaboration with our external manufacturing partners. Your responsibilities will include selecting co-manufacturers, negotiating contracts, managing relationships, and driving continuous improvement initiatives with a focus on operational excellence to optimize efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. This role is accountable for delivering operational and financial performance across the co-manufacturing network through effective supplier management, budget stewardship, forecasting, cost optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Accountabilities:

Co-Manufacturing Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and execute co-manufacturing strategies that align with company manufacturing, supply chain, financial, and business objectives, ensuring the network can support current and future growth.
• Evaluate, qualify, and select co-manufacturing partners through comprehensive assessments of operational capabilities, capacity, quality systems, food safety standards, financial stability, service performance, and geographic fit.
• Lead network planning activities to ensure adequate manufacturing capacity, flexibility, and scalability while balancing cost, service, quality, and risk considerations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations, R&D, Quality, and Finance to support new product launches, supply continuity initiatives, and strategic business priorities.
• Manage and continuously enhance supplier scorecard processes to evaluate co-manufacturer performance against key operational, service, quality, cost, and compliance metrics, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support contract negotiations and supplier business reviews by providing operational, performance, and financial insights that drive informed decision-making.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of supplier capabilities, strategic priorities, and long-term growth plans to ensure alignment with Del Monte's manufacturing and supply chain objectives.
• Proactively identify network gaps, capacity constraints, and emerging business requirements, recommending solutions that strengthen supplier performance and supply chain resiliency. 

 

Supplier Performance Management:

• Own the strategic and day-to-day relationships with co-manufacturing partners, fostering collaboration, transparency, and alignment to Del Monte's operational, quality, service, and financial objectives.
• Lead regular business reviews with suppliers to evaluate performance against key metrics, including service, quality, cost, capacity, and operational efficiency, driving accountability and corrective actions where needed.
• Conduct performance assessments, audits, and compliance reviews to ensure adherence to quality standards, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Develop and implement supplier improvement plans to address performance gaps, enhance capabilities, and drive continuous improvement across the co-manufacturing network.
• Monitor and analyze supplier scorecard results, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to improve overall supplier performance and business outcomes.
• Partner cross-functionally with Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, Finance, and Operations teams to resolve issues, execute strategic initiatives, and ensure supplier alignment with business priorities.
• Lead supplier-facing root cause analyses and corrective action processes to improve reliability, reduce disruptions, and strengthen supply continuity.
• Identify and drive productivity, cost savings, and process optimization opportunities with supplier partners while maintaining service, quality, and food safety standards.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier performance issues, ensuring timely resolution and effective communication with internal stakeholders and external partners. 

 

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Support the implementation and oversight of quality assurance processes to ensure co-manufactured products meet regulatory requirements and quality specifications.
• Participate in audits and inspections at co-manufacturing facilities, collaborating with quality assurance teams as needed.
• Manage continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and safety. 

 

Operational Excellence:

• Drive initiatives to optimize production processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency at co-manufacturing facilities.
• Manage the implementation of best practices in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence to drive cost savings and improve overall performance.
• Establish, monitor, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including yield, throughput, schedule adherence, service levels, quality, waste, and cost performance, identifying opportunities and implementing corrective actions as needed
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the co-manufacturing team.
• Develop a deep understanding of co-manufacturing operations, capabilities, constraints, and cost drivers to effectively support strategic planning, capacity management, and performance improvement initiatives. Lead cross-functional efforts to improve manufacturing reliability, supply continuity, inventory performance, and network flexibility in support of business objectives.
• Champion a proactive approach to problem-solving, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation to prevent recurring operational issues and improve long-term performance.

Financial Management & Cost Optimization:

• Develop and manage annual co-manufacturing budgets, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational plans.
• Lead monthly forecasting activities for co-manufacturing spend, volume, and capacity requirements, identifying risks and opportunities to financial targets.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions to improve financial performance.
• Partner with Finance, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to support financial planning, reporting, and achievement of cost objectives.
• Identify and execute cost savings and productivity initiatives across the co-manufacturing network while maintaining quality, service, and supply performance.
• Support the financial evaluation of supplier selection, contract negotiations, business cases, and capital investment opportunities.
• Track and report key financial metrics, including manufacturing costs, inflation impacts, productivity savings, and budget adherence.
• Drive accountability with co-manufacturing partners to achieve cost, efficiency, and profitability targets.

Risk Management and Contingency Planning:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across the co-manufacturing network that could impact supply continuity, customer service, product quality, cost, or operational performance.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans, alternative sourcing strategies, and capacity solutions to minimize disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Monitor economic trends, commodity markets, labor availability, transportation capacity, geopolitical events, regulatory changes, and environmental factors that may impact suppliers, food supply availability, manufacturing operations, or broader supply chain performance.
• Proactively assess supplier vulnerabilities and emerging risks, partnering with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to develop mitigation plans and strengthen network resiliency.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions affecting key ingredients, packaging materials, freight costs, utilities, and manufacturing capacity, communicating potential risks, opportunities, and business impacts to leadership.

Minimum Skills Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, or related roles within the CPG industry.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with quality standards and best practices in food safety and quality assurance.
• Proficiency in data analysis and project management.
• Procurement or Vendor management
• Proficiency in second language preferred.
• Negotiation skills preferred.

***Please note: This position does not qualify for relocation expenses.***

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh and fresh cut fruits and vegetables. Our diverse product portfolio also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts—available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years.

We are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Fresh Del Monte and its affiliates do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We also participate in E-Verify* where applicable, to ensure employment authorization eligibility. Driven by our core values - Excellence, Care, Passion, Trust, and Creativity - we invite you to explore our career opportunities and join our FRESH team.