Senior Vice President of Operations

Job Description

About the job

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We at Pelagic are excited to share an opening at one of our long-time partners, Equip Foods!

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Why Equip Foods

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We are a countermovement to overcomplicated health trends. Creators of the beef protein category — a clinically-proven, gut-friendly alternative to whey and plant-based protein. Nutrient-dense, minimally-processed, real-food nutrition. We believe humans should eat real food, and when you do supplement, it shouldn't be with weird isolated ingredients — it should be with more real food.

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We exist to set a new standard in an industry that is incredibly shady; fancy packaging with ineffective doses, lack of transparency, under-dosed products relative to label claims. Without regulation, it is up to us, the brands, to set the standard. Simple, real-food supplements with 100% transparency on label claims, third-party tested for hundreds of toxins that have found their way into our food supply.

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We're growing rapidly beyond 9-figures. We've been focused on our online business for the past 5 years but are launching 4,000 retail doors in 2026. We're a lean, distributed team looking for an ops leader to drive product outcomes and build infrastructure to support scale.

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Watch this short video to learn more

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The Role

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Equip is seeking a hands-on Senior Vice President of Operations to lead the company's operating organization through its next stage of growth. This executive will serve as a key partner to the CEO and assume broad ownership of product, supply chain, quality, operational planning, and retail execution.

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The SVP of Operations will build the systems, partnerships, and organizational capabilities needed to scale Equip while protecting margins, improving product quality, service levels, and execution speed.

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This role is ideal for an experienced CPG operator who can think strategically, remain close to the details, and create structure without slowing down a high-growth organization.

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Key Responsibilities

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- Serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, translating growth objectives into clear operating plans.

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- Drive product R&D and improvement at pace, without cutting corners. Push formulation and new-product work fast enough to beat launch cadence, while building the quality standards and risk-mitigation discipline.

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- Build the infrastructure, processes, reporting, and operating cadence required to support rapid retail and SKU expansion.

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- Lead and develop the supply chain and broader operations organization, establishing clear ownership, accountability, and performance expectations.

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- Oversee contract manufacturing relationships, including partner selection, capacity planning, commercial terms, performance management, and long-term network strategy.

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- Improve Equip's leverage with manufacturing partners through thoughtful incentive structures, payment terms, quality standards, and capacity commitments.

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- Establish rigorous standards for quality, production consistency, vendor performance, and operational risk management.

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- Strengthen forecasting, demand planning, production planning, and inventory management as the business becomes more complex.

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- Partner cross-functionally with product, finance, sales, and other leaders to improve commercialization planning and operational readiness.

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- Identify and resolve operational risks before they affect customers, retailers, margins, or growth timelines.

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- Maintain executive-level visibility into operational performance, capacity requirements, costs, risks, and improvement opportunities.

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Candidate Profile

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- Significant operations leadership experience within a high-growth CPG company.

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- Demonstrated ability to drive efficient product R&D and launch outcomes at a fast pace while raising the bar on quality standards, specs, and risk mitigation processes along the way.

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- Demonstrated success scaling a business through substantial revenue, retail, distribution, and SKU growth.

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- Broad expertise across supply chain, contract manufacturing, quality, inventory, demand planning, and operational strategy.

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- Proven ability to select, negotiate with, and manage contract manufacturers and other critical external partners.

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- Experience building capacity plans and manufacturing networks capable of supporting rapid growth.

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- Experience working in a business larger or more operationally complex than Equip Foods.

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- Demonstrated ability to build processes and teams while remaining hands-on and close to execution.

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- Experience helping prepare a business for a strategic transaction is beneficial but not required.

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Leadership Characteristics

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- High ownership and a strong bias toward action.

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- Low ego, high capacity, and exceptional attention to detail. Operates with urgency in a rapidly evolving environment.

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- Able to move between long-term strategy and immediate operational problem-solving – comfortable and can thrive in the weeds. Builds accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

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- Strong cross-functional communicator who can align internal teams and external partners.

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- Motivated by the opportunity to build enterprise value and drive a meaningful outcome over the next several years.

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- Willing to directly lead execution rather than operate solely as a high-level advisor.

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Measures of Success

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- Product development and improvement ships on an efficient, predictable cadence, with quality specs and risk reviews built in up front.

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- Retail expansion and SKU growth are supported without compromising service, quality, or availability.

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- Manufacturing capacity is secured ahead of demand and supported by strong partner economics.

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- On-time and in-full delivery, inventory health, and product consistency remain strong.

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- Operational costs and working capital are managed while protecting EBITDA margins.

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- The operations organization has the leadership, systems, and accountability required for Equip's next stage.

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- The CEO can meaningfully reduce direct involvement in day-to-day operational execution.

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- The company is operationally prepared for a potential strategic transaction.

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Other Details

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- Fully remote and location independent.

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- High growth potential and opportunity.

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Benefits

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We are extremely intentional about how we support you as individuals. All our benefits contribute to your education, well-being, physical health, and self-improvement so you can be your best self.

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- Top of the line health care, vision, dental plans.

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- Health and wellness perks that you actually care about.

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- $200/month for local farmer's market and food.

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- $200/month for gym membership or any personal fitness.

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- Free Kindle and unlimited free books.

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- $1k/year for continued learning, training programs.

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- $200/month in emotional/mental wellness.

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- You are treated like an adult — no work schedule or monitoring of hours. You create your own working environment.

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- Flexible work arrangements. Unlimited time off.

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- Free company products.