Vice President of Operations (Food Manufacturing)

Status: Direct Hire

Job Title: Vice President of Operations

Location: On-site in McMinnville, Oregon

Salary: $250,000-$275,000 + Bonus

About the Company:

We are a health-focused company dedicated to creating high-quality, nutrient-rich bars that fuel your body and empower your lifestyle. Crafted with clean, natural ingredients, our bars provide a delicious and convenient source of energy for those on the go, whether you're at the gym, in the office, or out exploring.

Our range of bars is designed to meet the nutritional needs of active individuals, offering a blend of protein, healthy fats, and fiber to support sustained energy, muscle recovery, and overall wellness. We are committed to using only the best ingredients to deliver products that not only taste great but also contribute to a healthier, more empowered lifestyle.

Driven by a mission to make healthy living accessible and convenient, we aim to provide a product that supports your fitness goals and helps you stay energized throughout the day. Whether you're looking for a pre-workout snack or a nutritious post-workout recovery, our bars are the perfect companion to keep you going.

Vice President of Operations (Food Manufacturing):

Our client is seeking a Vice President of Operations to lead a large-scale manufacturing operation and drive operational excellence across a high-growth environment. This highly visible leadership role will oversee all core plant functions while fostering a strong culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings a balance of strategic leadership and hands-on execution, with a proven ability to scale operations and lead large, complex teams.

This role is on-site in McMinnville, Oregon.

Vice President of Operations Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership over all site operations, including production, maintenance, safety, sanitation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Translate organizational strategy into actionable operational plans, aligning teams around clear priorities, KPIs, and performance expectations.
• Lead and develop a high-performing operations leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational performance across key metrics such as productivity, cost efficiency, quality, and service levels.
• Oversee large-scale workforce operations, ensuring effective structure, communication, and execution across a workforce of 600+ employees.
• Champion continuous improvement efforts, implementing systems and processes that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and support scalable growth.
• Partner with Finance to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost optimization strategies while maintaining operational discipline.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Support business growth through capacity planning, capital investments, and operational readiness for new product initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with leadership across HR, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to drive alignment and results.

Vice President of Operations Qualifications:

• 10–15+ years of progressive operations leadership experience within manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience leading large-scale operations in businesses of $250M+ in revenue.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing teams of 600+ employees in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Strong track record of driving measurable operational improvements through people, process, and systems.
• Experience in food manufacturing or other regulated industries is strongly preferred.
• Ability to build and sustain high-performance cultures focused on accountability, safety, and engagement.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets, forecasting, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and partnering with executive leadership to drive strategic initiatives.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership and execution.
• Excellent communication and leadership presence, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.