Chief Operating Officer (California)

Base pay range

$225,000.00/yr - $275,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types

• Annual Bonus
• Direct message the job poster from Cobalt Recruitment

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A fast-growing food manufacturing company is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to provide strategic and operational leadership across its production, supply chain, quality, finance, R&D and engineering functions. Working closely with the President and CEO, this is a key executive role for a proven operations leader with a track record of driving efficiency, safety, and scalability in a complex, high-volume manufacturing environment.

About the Chief Operating Officer role

• Lead end-to-end operations including production, supply chain, logistics, maintenance, and quality assurance across a large-scale manufacturing facility.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support company growth, efficiency, and customer delivery goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, yield, waste reduction, and cost optimization.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, regulatory, and quality standards (FDA, USDA, FSMA, SQF/BRC, HACCP, GMP).
• Oversee capital projects, automation efforts, and preventive maintenance programs to enhance plant reliability and performance.
• Partner with Sales, R&D, and Finance to align production capacity with customer demand and business forecasts.
• Lead operational budgeting, forecasting, and performance management, ensuring accountability to KPIs and P&L targets.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing operations leadership team across production, QA, supply chain, and maintenance.
• Foster a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
• Serve as a primary operational contact for key customer accounts, ensuring alignment on schedules, quality, and delivery.

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, or Business (MBA preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, co‑packing, or CPG production.
• Proven success overseeing large-scale operations, including multiple production lines.
• Deep expertise in food safety systems, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial acumen with P&L ownership and capital project management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement scalable systems.
• Exceptional communication, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Distribution, Manufacturing, and Strategy/Planning

Industries

• Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Packaging and Containers Manufacturing, and Manufacturing

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)