ABOUT THE COMPANY
Our client is a family-owned food manufacturer headquartered in Covina, California, producing authentic Hispanic food products for retail, foodservice, and private label customers throughout the United States and has built a strong reputation for quality, authenticity, and exceptional customer relationships.

As the business has grown, so has its vision. Today, our client is part of a growing portfolio of food manufacturing companies that also includes affiliate manufacturing businesses. Ownership is investing in stronger systems, scalable processes, modern technology, and operational leadership to support the next phase of growth.

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT
This is not a traditional Director of Operations role. You will work directly with the Owner, gaining hands-on exposure across the business while helping build the systems, processes, and leadership needed for continued growth. The Owner is committed to mentoring and developing the right individual, creating a long-term opportunity with a clear path toward becoming Chief Operating Officer.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Operations will serve as the Owner's strategic partner, helping transform a successful entrepreneurial business into a more scalable, professionally managed organization. This individual will lead operational improvements across manufacturing, supply chain, people, systems, and technology while learning every aspect of the business from ownership. Over time, responsibilities will expand to support affiliate manufacturing businesses and affiliate manufacturing businesses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational Leadership
• Partner directly with the Owner to learn every aspect of the business.
• Lead manufacturing operations.
• Standardize SOPs and best practices.
• Improve accountability and execution.
• Establish management rhythms.
Organizational Development
• Develop leaders.
• Strengthen culture.
• Improve onboarding and training.
• Build scalable organizational structure.
Business, Systems, & Technology
• Implement ERP, reporting tools, automation and AI.
• Develop KPI dashboards.
• Document SOPs and workflows.
Cross-Functional Leadership
• Partner across Production, Supply Chain, Procurement, QA/Food Safety, Maintenance, Finance, HR, Sales and Customer Service.
Continuous Improvement
• Lead Lean initiatives.
• Improve productivity, quality, efficiency and profitability.
• Support capital projects and expansion.
Portfolio Leadership
• Support affiliate manufacturing businesses and affiliate manufacturing businesses.
• Standardize operations across facilities.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA strongly preferred.
• Bilingual English and Spanish required.
• 5–10+ years of progressive operations leadership in food manufacturing or related industries.
• Experience implementing systems and leading organizational change.
• Strong analytical and business acumen.
• Lean/Continuous Improvement experience.
• Knowledge of FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, SQF preferred.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

WHO YOU ARE
We're looking for someone with tremendous upside. You are intelligent, curious, humble, hands-on, and ambitious. You enjoy building systems, developing people, and creating scalable organizations. Most importantly, you want to grow alongside an experienced entrepreneur and ultimately lead the organization.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Within the first 12–24 months, the Director of Operations will strengthen processes, leadership accountability, KPI reporting, employee development, and scalable systems. Over time, this individual will become a trusted strategic partner and be positioned to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.