Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain (Chicago)

Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain

Location: Atlanta, GA or Chicago, IL preferred; exceptional candidates outside these areas will be considered

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Department: Operations

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Travel: Regular domestic and international travel required

About the Role

Better Earth is a mission-driven sustainable packaging company creating environmentally responsible alternatives that help reduce waste and support a circular economy.

We are seeking a highly independent, hands-on Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain to assume full day-to-day responsibility for Customer Service, Operations, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Fulfillment, and Logistics .

This is a critical leadership role designed for an experienced operator who can independently run the day-to-day operating functions of the business, establish priorities, make decisions, resolve cross-functional issues, develop the team, and ensure customer commitments are fulfilled.

This is a player-coach role in a lean, entrepreneurial organization—not a strategy-only position. The successful candidate must be equally comfortable leading managers and personally working through operating data, processes, supplier issues, customer-service challenges, and execution gaps when necessary.

What You’ll Own

• Provide day-to-day leadership across Customer Service, Operations, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Fulfillment, and Logistics.
• Establish operating priorities, clear ownership, KPIs, processes, and accountability across the organization.
• Lead supply planning, demand planning, purchasing, inventory management, product availability, and supplier performance.
• Oversee warehouse operations, third-party logistics providers, fulfillment partners, inbound/outbound logistics, freight performance, and carrier relationships.
• Improve forecasting, inventory visibility, service levels, working capital, order accuracy, fulfillment performance, and cost-to-serve.
• Establish effective operating cadences, dashboards, SOPs, escalation procedures, and corrective-action processes.
• Identify recurring operational issues, determine root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Partner closely with Sales to ensure customer commitments are operationally achievable and customers receive proactive, accurate communication.
• Manage operating budgets, forecasts, productivity initiatives, and cost controls in partnership with Finance.
• Coach and develop managers while establishing clear expectations and accountability for results.
• Work directly with domestic and international suppliers, manufacturers, logistics partners, warehouses, and customers as needed.
• Provide the CEO with concise reporting on operational performance, material risks, corrective actions, and decisions requiring executive input.

What We’re Looking For

The right leader is highly self-directed, accountable, practical, and comfortable making decisions with imperfect information . You identify problems early and bring recommendations rather than simply escalating issues.

You can move naturally between executive leadership and hands-on execution. You know how to introduce structure and discipline without slowing down an entrepreneurial organization, and you can hold people accountable while developing stronger, more independent managers.

We are looking for someone interested in building for the long term and prepared to make a meaningful professional commitment to strengthening the people, processes, systems, and infrastructure required for Better Earth’s next stage of growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience across operations, supply chain, logistics, fulfillment, distribution, customer service, or related functions.
• Experience independently leading multiple operating functions within a growing, founder-led, or entrepreneurial organization.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as both a senior leader and hands-on individual contributor.
• Strong experience in demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, procurement, warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation.
• Experience managing third-party warehouses, contract manufacturers, suppliers, and logistics providers.
• Proven success developing KPIs, SOPs, operating cadences, dashboards, and performance-accountability systems.
• Strong financial understanding of inventory, working capital, freight, warehousing, COGS, margin, and cost-to-serve.
• Experience coaching managers and improving team performance.
• Packaging, foodservice, distribution, manufacturing, or adjacent industry experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; an equivalent combination of relevant experience and demonstrated results will be considered.
• Proficiency with ERP, CRM, analytics, reporting, and Microsoft 365 systems.
• Valid passport and ability to travel regularly, both domestically and internationally.

Location & Travel

Atlanta or Chicago area candidates are preferred. Exceptional candidates located outside these areas will also be considered, provided they are able and willing to travel regularly to Better Earth locations and other business partners.

Regular domestic and international travel is required, including visits to warehouses and fulfillment facilities, suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, customers, and other business partners.

Compensation

Better Earth offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and final scope of responsibility.

The package is expected to include a competitive base salary, annual performance-based incentive opportunity, eligibility for Better Earth’s applicable long-term incentive or equity program, and comprehensive employee benefits.

Compensation and Pay Equity Commitment

Better Earth is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Candidates are evaluated based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and the position’s requirements.

Compensation decisions are based on relevant market data, internal equity, experience, qualifications, and the role’s final scope. Better Earth does not request or consider a candidate’s current or prior compensation when making compensation decisions.