Director of Operations

Director of Operations 

McKinney, Texas | On-Site | Full-Time 

Bilingual (Spanish/English) candidates preferred 

The Company 

We are a fast-growing nutraceutical gummy manufacturer operating in one of the strongest categories in the marketplace. With a team of 400+ people, we produce the gummies our customers love - and we believe our people are just as important as our product. As we scale, we're investing in leadership that can elevate performance and culture together, not one at the expense of the other. 

Position Summary 

The Director of Operations owns the performance, quality, and culture of our McKinney facility from end to end. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role develops and executes operational strategy, leads our managers and supervisors across depositing, blending, packaging, warehouse, and quality/food safety, and carries general business ownership of the plant. This is a hands-on, strategic leadership role for someone who wants to set the standard for how we run - building a team that takes pride in the work, understands the "why" behind what we do, and wants to grow something special together. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategic & Business Leadership 
• Develop and implement operational strategies and initiatives that align with the company's business goals and long-term vision 
• Lead the development and execution of operational plans to optimize productivity, quality, and profitability across the manufacturing process 
• Ensure all operational activities align with the company's mission, values, and regulatory requirements 
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team to define company-wide goals and objectives 
• Serve as a key operating leader in the business's growth trajectory, helping scale the facility responsibly 
• Production & Manufacturing Operations 
• Oversee the manufacturing process to ensure products are produced on time, within budget, and to the company's quality standards 
• Manage production schedules, staffing, equipment, and inventory to meet production goals efficiently and effectively 
• Enforce, and develop as needed, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for all production processes 
• Monitor production performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions as necessary 
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks across the production floor, proactively and in real time 
• Establish a culture of performance awareness and execution through facility-wide adoption and utilization of the RedZone manufacturing software 

Quality & Regulatory Compliance 

• Ensure all manufacturing processes comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), FDA, and other applicable industry regulations 
• Collaborate with the quality team to maintain and improve product quality and ensure adherence to regulatory standards 
• Conduct regular audits and inspections of manufacturing processes to confirm compliance with quality standards 
• Lead initiatives to resolve quality issues and implement corrective and preventive actions when necessary 
• Support readiness for SQF and other regulatory and customer audits 
• Financial & Budget Management 
• Ensure cost-effective use of resources without compromising product quality 
• Monitor and control operational costs, identifying opportunities for cost savings and process optimization 
• Ensure efficient inventory management, minimizing waste and reducing unnecessary expenses 
• People Leadership & Team Development 
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing operations team, including production managers, supervisors, and other key staff 
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance evaluations to build a skilled, motivated workforce 
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability across all operational departments 
• Identify skill gaps and provide the training and development needed to strengthen team capabilities 
• Support and reinforce strong culture and execution across 1st, 2nd, and overnight 3rd shift 
• Model servant leadership - remove obstacles so front-line teams can do their best work 
• Communicate the "why" behind decisions so every level of the organization understands purpose, not just tasks 

Continuous Improvement & Innovation 

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve quality 
• Identify and implement technological advancements and innovative manufacturing processes to stay competitive in the industry 
• Encourage creative problem-solving and process enhancements that drive operational excellence 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work closely with project management, R&D, supply chain, and other extensions of the business to ensure alignment and achieve business objectives 
• Facilitate communication between departments to ensure smooth production workflows and timely delivery of products 
• Represent Operations cross-functionally and act as a key liaison between the plant floor and senior leadership 

Safety & Risk Management 

• Foster a culture of safety in and around all phases of the business operation 
• Ensure all safety protocols are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees 
• Identify potential operational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them 
• Ensure safety and environmental regulations are strictly adhered to in all manufacturing activities 

Reporting & Data-Driven Decision-Making 

• Prepare and present regular performance reports to senior management, highlighting key performance indicators, production metrics, and operational performance 
• Use data and analytics to monitor trends, identify opportunities for improvement, and make informed decisions 
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations for optimizing operations and achieving business objectives 

What You Bring 

Required 

• 5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role (Senior Manager or Director level) 
• Proven ability to lead large, multi-shift teams (100+ employees) in a hands-on, fast-paced environment 
• Demonstrated experience building operational strategy and translating it into day-to-day execution 
• Working knowledge of GMP, FDA, and other relevant manufacturing regulations 
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate strategy into clear direction for front-line leaders 
• A process-improvement mindset paired with genuine care for people 
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent hands-on leadership experience will be strongly considered 

Preferred 

• Manufacturing experience, ideally in food, confectionery, nutraceutical, or CPG production 
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous-improvement methodology certification/experience 
• Exposure to food safety programs and SQF certification standards 
• Bilingual in Spanish and English 

What Success Looks Like 

• A stable, engaged culture across all three shifts, including strong overnight (3rd shift) execution and morale 
• Consistent, reliable production performance against safety, quality, output, and cost targets 
• A clear operational strategy in place, with KPIs tracked and reported to leadership 
• A developing bench of managers and supervisors who lead confidently in your absence 
• A facility team that understands the mission and takes pride in the gummies they make 

Our Culture 

We are a fast-growing business with 400+ people operating in a strong and expanding category. The two most important parts of our business are the gummies we make and the people who make them. We're looking for a leader who sets the standard for execution, communicates the "why," and builds a culture of people who love what they do - and want to work hard together to achieve something special. 

Position Details 

• Reports To 
• Chief Operating Officer (COO) 
• Location 
• On-site, full-time — McKinney, TX 
• Schedule 
• Primary hours cover 1st & 2nd shift, with active support of overnight 3rd shift 
• Compensation 
• Approximately $150,000, commensurate with experience 
• Team Size 
• 400+ employees across the facility 
• Language 
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred