Operations Lead

At a glance

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Employment type: Full-Time

Work type: On-Site

Industry: Manufacturing

Compensation: $300,000 – $325,000

Status: open.

About the role

PeopleSource Solutions is proud to represent this confidential search for an Operations Lead within the food and beverage manufacturing industry, based on-site in Phoenix, AZ. This is a full-time, senior-level opportunity for a proven operator who wants real autonomy, accountability, and a clear runway to enterprise leadership. You will oversee operations across a multi-brand portfolio at different stages of maturity, owning end-to-end execution across commercialization, supply chain, manufacturing, food safety, financial integrity, and contract manufacturing relationships. This role is not brand-specific — you will operate with enterprise accountability and significant P&L ownership across the entire portfolio.

Key responsibilities

You will build repeatable operating systems that scale beyond heroics and increase speed to market without compromising food safety or margins. You will onboard, manage, and negotiate new contract manufacturing relationships while owning deal flow, operational contracts, and commercialization execution. You will develop and manage P&Ls and operating budgets at both division and brand levels on an annual, quarterly, and monthly basis. You will lead end-to-end supply chain functions including procurement, transportation, production planning, inventory management, and supplier and customer replenishment relationships. You will ensure compliance with food safety standards including FDA, USDA, SQF, and HACCP, maintain audit readiness, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and partner cross-functionally with Accounting, IT, Legal, HR, R&D, and Sales to align operations with broader business objectives.

Required skills

The ideal candidate brings senior operations leadership experience in food manufacturing or CPG with a demonstrated track record managing multi-brand or multi-entity operations. You must have deep expertise in contract manufacturing and co-packer management, proven experience negotiating operational contracts, and full P&L ownership with strong financial acumen. Uncompromising standards for food safety and compliance are required, along with the ability to build teams, systems, and scalable processes from the ground up. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP systems, and possess strong analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.

Experience required

Senior operations leadership experience in food manufacturing or CPG with demonstrated success managing multi-brand or multi-entity operations, contract manufacturing expertise, and full P&L ownership

Preferred qualifications

Experience with manufacturing systems and supply chain complexities specific to high-protein food products is preferred. A background managing brands at materially different stages of development — from pre-launch startups to mature platforms — will position you strongly for the complexity this portfolio demands.

Compensation and benefits

PeopleSource Solutions places candidates with organizations that offer highly competitive executive compensation packages. Companies we partner with in the food manufacturing and CPG space typically provide comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, performance-based incentives, and meaningful equity or bonus structures. This role's compensation reflects the level of accountability involved and rewards operators who drive measurable results.

About the location

Phoenix, AZ is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States, offering a business-friendly climate and a strong talent base in manufacturing, logistics, and consumer goods. The city provides access to major transportation corridors and distribution infrastructure that supports complex supply chain operations. With a lower cost of living compared to coastal cities and a growing professional community, Phoenix is an excellent base for senior operations leaders.

Career opportunities

This role is explicitly designed to build long-term operating capacity and leadership redundancy at the executive level, with a clear runway toward enterprise leadership. You will operate with co-authority on strategic tradeoffs and are expected to influence and shape executive decisions through expertise and results. For the right operator, this position represents a direct path to broader organizational ownership as the portfolio continues to expand.

How to apply

Apply through https://www.peoplesource.org/job-board/operations-lead-food-manufacturing, or contact PeopleSource Solutions on 678-428-2789 or chris@peoplesource.org.