Contract Manufacturing Manager at Simple Mills CPG

Contract Manufacturing Manager at Simple Mills CPG in Wilmington
This is a

mid-to-senior manager role

in supply chain/operations at a high-growth natural food brand, now backed by the scale of Flowers Foods. The $105,000–$120,000 range is

competitive but slightly below market

for a seasoned Contract Manufacturing Manager in CPG in a major metro like Chicago, where comparable roles at similarly sized brands often range $115,000–$140,000. The annual bonus partially offsets this.

Skills you'll develop and deepen:

End-to-end contract manufacturing oversight, including co-packer negotiations and KPI management

Cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Quality, Legal, and Operations

Supplier relationship management and quarterly business review facilitation

Financial acumen: PO management, budget variance analysis, cost negotiation

These are

highly marketable skills

in the CPG sector, which continues to see strong demand for supply chain professionals. Experience at a brand like Simple Mills — recognized by Fast Company and Inc. — carries real resume weight.

Green flags:

Inc. Best Workplaces recognition, mission-driven culture, people-first leadership, and clear reporting structure (Director of Contract Manufacturing). The Flowers Foods acquisition signals expanded resources and growth opportunity.

Watch for:

Post-acquisition integration dynamics can shift culture and priorities. The 35% travel requirement is significant and should be factored into work-life balance calculations. This role suits someone eager to build deep CPG operational expertise and grow toward a Director-level position.

Company Description

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made, creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we're a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Learn more

Replay

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Our work has been recognized by

Fast Company

as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in

Vogue, Forbes, Women's Health , and

NPR's How I Built This . In 2024,

Inc.

named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.

The Manager of Contract Manufacturing is a critical role on Simple Mills' Manufacturing team, supporting performance and growth across the contract manufacturing & repacking network for the Simple Mills product portfolio. Reporting to the

Director of Contract Manufacturing , this role partners closely with external manufacturers, co-packers, and internal cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturing plans are executed effectively, issues are resolved with urgency, and continuous improvement opportunities are advanced.

This is a hands-on, relationship-driven role that requires strong operational judgment, clear communication, and comfort balancing day-to-day execution with broader business objectives.

Contract Manufacturing Partnership & Performance

Manage business relationships with existing and new contract manufacturers and contract packers (co-packers), serving as a primary day-to-day point of contact and helping ensure alignment to quality, service, cost, and performance expectations.

Partner hands-on with co-manufacturers, R&D, Quality Assurance, and the broader Operations team to resolve day-to-day issues, bringing structure to problem-solving, escalating appropriately, and balancing cost, service, and risk considerations.

Lead weekly cross-functional discussions with co-manufacturers/co-packers and Operations teams to drive accountability, align on priorities, and reinforce expectations across internal and external partners.

Drive supplier performance through KPI tracking and lead quarterly business reviews, translating performance trends into actionable improvement plans and follow-ups.

Negotiate one-off expenses with contract manufacturers within existing contract terms and support cost management initiatives.

Identify and lead manufacturing and continuous improvement projects, such as transitioning production between co-manufacturers, to support cost, capacity, and risk management objectives.

Continuously develop and improve processes, tools, and best practices to support operational consistency and scalability as the business grows.

Innovation, Network Support & Strategic Initiatives

Support Innovation and Brand Renovation project teams by collaborating closely with R&D, Quality, and Operations and attending manufacturing trials.

Support sourcing of new contract manufacturers to expand capacity and innovation platforms, contributing operational input, assessments, and recommendations aligned with Simple Mills' growth strategy.

Support Simple Mills' broader strategic initiatives to enable growth and manage costs across the manufacturing network.

Write purchase orders for R&D trial expenses and capital projects; manage spend against annual budgets and provide visibility to variances.

Partner with the Director, Operations, and Legal teams to help craft and negotiate contracts with new and existing contract manufacturers that support the business, convey expectations, and promote strong, collaborative relationships.

Performs other projects as assigned.

Position Requirements

4–7 years of experience

in Contract Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Operations, and/or Supply Chain, preferably within a Food & Beverage CPG environment.

Bachelor's degree

required.

Technical experience

in Food & Bev (Engineering, R&D, etc.) strongly preferred.

Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to have supportive yet candid conversations at all levels and build alignment across the organization, including with internal teams and external partners.

Sound operational judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess trade-offs, synthesize information, and make thoughtful recommendations.

Self-directed and results-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Detail-oriented while maintaining a broader business perspective and comfort operating amid ambiguity and change.

Travel required up to 35% , including regular travel to manufacturing sites and on-site support for trials and key initiatives.

Working at Simple Mills
At Simple Mills, we're not just building a brand, we're leading a movement that's transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you're passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Why Join Us?

Be a Change-Maker
Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.

Thrive in a Mission-Driven Community
Work alongside a dynamic team of innovators and food lovers who are committed to positive change and bold ideas.

A Workplace Where You Belong
We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.

A Culture of Integrity and Impact
We don't just talk about doing good, we live it. Our team is committed to ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and making decisions that drive real, positive change.

Grow with People-First Leadership
Our supportive leadership team is dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and your long-term success.

Continuous Learning & Development
Whether through hands-on training, innovative learning platforms, or career growth opportunities, we invest in your professional development.

We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That's why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life.

Competitive Compensation:

This role offers a salary range of

$105,000 – $120,000

Annual Bonus Opportunity:

Eligible for an annual bonus as part of our commitment to recognizing team contributions and company success.

Holistic Benefits:

A variety of health, financial, and wellness programs to help you feel your best and plan for the future.

Time to Recharge:

We believe your best work comes when you have space to rest, refocus, and show up fully—our time off approach is built with that in mind.

Everyday Well-Being:

From lifestyle perks to innovation shipments, we find meaningful ways to support you in living simply and feeling well.

Our work model is role-dependent and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.

This position will be hybrid:

a balance of in-person and virtual work. Hybrid employees will work from our Chicago, IL office at least once per week. When working remotely, employees must work from a designated location

in the United States

(the new hire's permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) with sufficient internet access to support video conferencing. Safety protocols in accordance with CDC recommendations are followed.

At Simple Mills we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on chicagocareersite.com.

Is this role fully remote or does it require office attendance? This is a hybrid role. Employees must work from Simple Mills' Chicago, IL office at least once per week. Remote work is permitted from a permanent US address on other days. What is the salary range for the Contract Manufacturing Manager position? The role offers a salary range of $105,000–$120,000 annually, plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus. How much travel is required for this role? Travel is required up to 35% of the time, primarily to domestic manufacturing sites and for on-site support during trials and key project initiatives. What experience is required to apply for this position? Candidates need 4–7 years of experience in Contract Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Operations, or Supply Chain, preferably in a Food & Beverage CPG environment. A Bachelor's degree is required, and technical food & beverage experience (engineering, R&D) is strongly preferred. Can I work from a US city other than Chicago? Yes, but you must be able to commute to the Chicago office at least once per week and must maintain a permanent US residence as your documented work location.

Remote work & career advice that actually works.

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