Vice President Supply Chain, Food Manufacturing

Position Summary: Vice President Supply Chain, Fremont CA Remote

As a direct report to the President & CEO, the Vice President Supply Chain is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the supply chain, including customer service, logistics, procurement, and production planning. Additionally, the VP will be the architect of our next move regarding increased capacity. With responsibility for materials procurement and finished goods movement, the VP Supply Chain will design an overhaul to the warehouse function, seeking ways to optimize talent, systems, policies, and procedures to mitigate risk, guard against unforeseen headwinds and create favorable cost conditions, thus driving profitability.  The VP Supply Chain will be an experienced strategic leader, will have accomplishments in supply chain, capacity expansion and co-manufacturing, as well as proven ability to lead, develop and advance a team. The incumbent will have played a role in offering risk-mitigating solutions, that apply state-of-the-art technical approaches, for on-going operations, capacity and capability expansion and new product launches. The VP Supply Chain will have multi-year experience in a high-growth, food manufacturing environment. We prefer fresh food experience, but we understand that being a sourcing and strategic rock star can translate. The position is responsible for developing a strong team to drive alignment with all food safety & quality programs and initiatives. The VP Supply Chain will partner strategically with both the Operations and Product Development teams, to ensure materials availability and to achieve profitable product commercialization. The VP will also work closely with the Sales team to ensure distribution and service levels are established and maintained.

Impact Statement for Vice President Supply Chain

The Vice President Supply Chain directs the cost-efficient supply chain function, planning system and process enhancements that keep us prepared for supply procurement or distribution challenges. Oversees day to day supply chain, directing the team through complex, integrated problem resolution that involves systems and process change. Strong empathetic leader to come in, roll up your sleeves, address Supply Chain challenges head on, and drive progress. In partnership with the executive team, architects the next business expansion move, identifying acquisition, brown/green field and/or co-manufacturing opportunities. 

Responsibilities of Vice President Supply Chain

Strategic Partnering

Understands the strategic planning and tactical execution and effectively partners cross-functionally to drive excellence. Embraces the culture of Candid and Curious, provides transparency and aligns with the notion that great ideas can emerge at any time from any place. Commits to advancing supply chain function to achieve world-class outcomes. 

Profitability and Efficiency

Leads the effort to identify, replace, consolidate, etc., suppliers to drive costs down, mitigate supply chain issues. Organizes systems, processes, machinery/equipment, materials, and talent to optimize supply chain opportunities, reducing cost and mitigating risk. Applies advanced technological solutions as appropriate. Interprets data provided by both ERP and other systems.

Team Management and Development

Ensures methods for aligning supply chain team. Identifies areas of development for team members and works with HR to put together development plans. Builds a highly capable and resilient team, with the capability to drive continuous improvement, manage challenging conditions, and perform well during periods of change. Strategizes on workforce management and ensures that management team follows all company policies and procedures. Deploys development plans to drive learning and continuous improvement within team.  

Procurement

Oversees the procurement function, identifying alternate suppliers to build a more robust supply chain. Identifies cost-saving methods for sourcing fresh RTE and NRTE ingredients that meet/exceed product requirements. Manages risk in Supply Chain by planning for market fluctuations in commodities and building predictability in pricing and supply, where possible. Responsible for procuring all ingredients, materials, and packaging in just-in-time cycles due to nature of fresh business. Partners cross-functionally to resolve supply, production, storage, and commercialization challenges.

Materials Movement and Inventory

Oversees the distribution, materials movement and storage for all incoming and outgoing shipments and materials movement throughout the warehouse infrastructure. Our made to order business model presents challenges regarding trucker network and availability. Fresh product has storage requirements that must be met by any trucking companies. Drives novel solutions for complex logistics challenges and seeks ways to streamline logistics operations while reducing costs, including application of both MRP and MPS software, principles, and data interpretation.

S&OP Process & Demand Planning

Partners cross functionally across the organization, particularly with the Sales Team and Operations Teams to implement best practices, around Sales & Operations Planning.  These processes will need to enable LTF to continue to be nimble and responsive to customer needs and allow for greater predictability within Operations and Supply Chain. 

Business Development

Identifies acquisition, brown/green-field or co-manufacturer to enable our business expansion goals. Develops clear vision and criteria for best-fit solution and vets potential opportunities for feasibility, including financial analysis. Works in partnership across the leadership team to gain alignment on identification and execution of solution(s).

Requirements for Vice President Supply Chain

BS in Business or a related field is required. A minimum of ten years supply chain experience and/or operations experience at a food manufacturer in multi-facility and co-manufacturing model is required –fresh food experience is a plus. Must have demonstrated experience getting results through people. Executive level experience is required, with proven strategic and visionary thinking. Must have demonstrated critical thinking skills, with the ability to apply system thinking approaches to complex problem sets.  Strong leadership and influencing skills are required. Must have experience driving change and creating alignment amongst teams to support change. Strong action orientation and sound decision-making skills are required. Ability to partner effectively with Operations, R&D, Sales, and HR to drive market growth is essential. Complete familiarity with the regulatory environment of fresh food manufacturing, including SQF, HAACP, Food Safety and OSHA. Must have strong understanding of FDA and USDA regulations for Food Labeling, Food Manufacturing and Processing, Food Distribution and must remain proactively abreast of any updated regulations. 

Role-Based Competencies for Vice President Supply Chain

• Strategic Vision and Planning
• Influencing and Driving Change
• Leadership
• Decision-Making & Judgment

Candidates must be authorized to work in the US, now and in the future, without sponsorship.

 Please send your Resume as a Word.doc with the title of the position in the subject line.