Director Operations

THE ROLE: The Director of Operations will lead Cornbread Hemp's supply chain, inventory management, fulfillment, and logistics operations. This role is pivotal to both the strategic direction and day-to-day execution of the Fulfillment, Supply Chain, and Warehouse functions, with a focus on driving operational efficiency, cost savings, and scalable processes. The Director will own procurement, inventory, warehousing, and fulfillment; manage co-packer and 3PL partner relationships; lead the build-out of new workflows in our recently implemented Acumatica ERP system; and build out our distribution infrastructure to support the company's growth. TEAM YOU'LL LEAD: This role currently oversees the following functions and direct reports, with the org structure expected to evolve as the team scales: Internal Supply Chain Manager - sources all gummy ingredients, packaging, and processing materials for internal production at our manufacturing plant External Supply Chain Manager - sources all beverage ingredients and packaging, manages beverage co-packers and cartoning plus other external co-manufacturers Inventory Manager - manages inventory accuracy for finished goods and raw materials, aging, and cross-functional inventory needs Warehouse Manager - order fulfillment execution including systems, staffing, fulfillment materials, and processes Systems Administrator - software access, integrations and troubleshooting across Shopify, Acumatica, etc. WHAT YOU'LL DO: Leadership & Management Provide clear direction, structure, and accountability for the Fulfillment, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams. Implement effective systems for team management, process improvement, and performance tracking. Research and propose tools, vendors, or technologies that improve capabilities and performance. Collaborate cross-functionally across all departments to align operational execution with business goals. Mentor operations team members, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Ensure safety and compliance protocols are followed across all facilities, warehousing, and shipping practices. Supply Chain, Inventory & Demand Planning Oversee end-to-end inventory management, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all warehouse locations and SKUs, including proactive monitoring of low-supply products. Lead demand planning efforts, using our financial projections to forecast inventory and production needs to meet customer demand while minimizing stockouts and excess inventory. Coordinate and optimize ordering of supplies, raw materials, and production schedules to maintain ideal stock levels. Drive improvements to the product launch process (pre-sell timing and production lead time) to avoid inventory crunches. ERP & Systems Serve as the operational lead on Acumatica (ERP/WMS), managing purchasing, digital item card creation (SKU/UPC), inventory, order processing, fulfillment workflows, and reporting. Drive the continued build-out of new workflows, automations, and process improvements within Acumatica following its recent go-live. Drive automation and integration between systems to streamline operations and reporting. Cost Management & Reporting Monitor and manage Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), shipping expenses, and fulfillment labor cost per order with a focus on margin optimization. Own end-of-month (EOM) COGS and inventory reporting, partnering with Accounting to ensure an accurate close to the finished goods and raw materials inventory accounts. Identify opportunities to reduce costs across procurement, production, and logistics without sacrificing quality or service. Logistics, Warehousing & E-commerce Fulfillment Oversee warehouse operations, space utilization, location mapping, and fulfillment workflows to ensure timely, accurate order processing of more than 10,000 e-commerce orders per week, 15,000+ during peak season. Manage relationships with 3PL partners and evaluate new freight carriers and shipping partners to ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective fulfillment. Guide proactive fulfillment staffing decisions with the Warehouse Manager based on company projections, including hiring, temporary 3PL resources, performance management, and backfilling. Beverage Supply Chain & Distribution Fulfillment Own the beverage supply chain, managing co-packer relationships across beverage production and cartoning. Scale distributor fulfillment operations for the beverage line as the channel grows. Lead the build-out of distribution infrastructure to support the company's ramp in this channel. Partner & Vendor Management Lead the supply chain team to negotiate pricing, contracts and performance SLAs with external vendors, co-packers, and 3PL providers. Build and manage incentive/bonus structures for the supply chain team tied to COGS and freight performance metrics. WHAT YOU'LL NEED: 5+ years of experience in operations leadership, ideally within CPG, consumer products, or another fast-paced, high-growth environment. Hands-on experience owning an ERP/WMS platform (Acumatica, NetSuite, or similar) through implementation and day-to-day operation. Proven track record managing co-packer, 3PL, and vendor relationships, including contract negotiation and SLA management. Strong command of COGS, inventory accounting, and margin optimization; comfortable partnering closely with Finance. Experience managing and developing multiple direct reports and functional managers across fulfillment, inventory, and supply chain teams. A hands-on, in-the-warehouse leadership style paired with the ability to think strategically about scaling systems and processes. Comfortable building structure and SOPs in a fast-moving environment with frequent day-to-day problem solving (order issues, shipping, inventory firefighting). Strong cross-functional communicator, able to proactively flag operational impacts of decisions made in Marketing, Sales, or Product. Beverage, DTC e-commerce, or regulated product (hemp/CBD, food & bev) experience a plus. Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience. Willingness and ability to work on-site at the Louisville, KY facility. Why Join Cornbread Hemp? Cornbread Hemp is positioned to win the THC beverage category with a Kentucky-grown, family-owned brand people trust and a distribution engine expanding every month. What we need is the operational excellence to support that momentum with a reliable, scalable, and cost effective supply chain. Compensation: This is a high-impact operations role with compensation structured to reward growth and efficiencies while maintaining high operational standards. Base Salary: $120K - $150K, plus quarterly incentives. Actual salary based on experience. Benefits: Full benefits package including 401k, health, dental, and vision insurance. We cover 50% of monthly health insurance costs for the base tier, and 100% of monthly costs for vision and dental. PTO: 18 days of annual leave Product: $75 monthly product stipend plus 50% off all other orders. What We Offer: The opportunity to step into a well rounded operations team for a high-growth, nationally recognized brand in one of beverage's hottest categories. A direct line to senior leadership with significant strategic autonomy to own and grow your department. A collaborative, supportive work environment rooted in Kentucky heritage and organic integrity. Professional development and career advancement as our organization scales. Cornbread Hemp is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr