Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance
ABOUT SNACK INNOVATIONS Snack Innovations is a leading manufacturer of better-for-you salty snack food located in Piscataway NJ. We produce a wide range of snack chips, sticks, straws, curls and popcorn.
JOB SUMMARY
The Co-Manufacturing Manager is responsible for overseeing the performance and execution of assigned offsite snack food co-manufacturing and co-packing operations. This role serves as the primary liaison between the company and external manufacturing partners, ensuring adherence to safety, food quality, service, cost, and operational standards. The Co-Manufacturing Manager drives accountability through influence and partnership, monitors key performance indicators, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures co-packers consistently meet business and customer requirements.
Co-Manufacturing Operations Oversight
Serve as the primary company representative for assigned snack food co-manufacturing locations.
Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly operational performance against established KPIs.
Ensure production plans are executed on time and in full to support customer demand and inventory requirements.
Review production schedules, capacity utilization, labor efficiency, yield, and waste metrics.
Partner with co-manufacturing facility leadership to address operational challenges and improve performance.
Food Safety, Quality, and Compliance
Ensure compliance with all company food safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
Monitor adherence to GMPs, HACCP, sanitation, allergen controls, and food safety programs.
Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and regulatory inspections.
Review quality performance, consumer complaints, corrective actions, and root cause investigations.
Ensure product specifications and packaging standards are consistently met.
Relationship Management
Develop strong partnerships with co-manufacturing facility management and key stakeholders.
Conduct regular business reviews to assess operational performance and improvement opportunities.
Drive accountability for service levels, quality standards, production commitments, and contractual expectations.
Facilitate communication between co-manufacturing partners and internal teams including Operations, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Quality, R&D, and Customer Service.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, increase yields, and lower operating costs.
Support implementation of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Analyze operational and financial performance data to identify trends and performance gaps.
Lead or support initiatives related to capacity expansion, new product launches, packaging changes, and process improvements.
Supply Chain and Customer Service
Partner with Planning and Logistics teams to ensure material availability and inventory accuracy.
Monitor service performance, production attainment, and order fulfillment metrics.
Assist in resolving supply disruptions, quality issues, and customer concerns.
Support contingency planning and risk mitigation activities.
Performance Management and Reporting
Monitor and report performance metrics including:
Safety
Food Safety & Quality
Production Attainment
Yield and Waste
Service Level
Cost Performance
Inventory Accuracy
Customer Complaints
Develop action plans to address performance gaps and drive sustainable improvement.
Prepare operational reviews and recommendations for company leadership.
QUALIFICAITONS
Required
Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Food Science, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
5+ years of leadership experience in food manufacturing, snack food production, co-manufacturing, or supply chain operations.
Ability to travel up to 75% of the time.
Experience working with third-party manufacturers or contract packaging partners.
Knowledge of food safety systems including GMPs, HACCP, allergen management, and sanitation programs.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and manufacturing performance reporting tools.
Preferred
Experience in snack foods, bakery, confectionery, salty snacks, or other consumer packaged goods manufacturing environments.
Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.
Experience with customer audits and retailer quality requirements.
Knowledge of SQF, BRCGS, or other GFSI-recognized food safety standards.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Influencing without direct authority
Food safety and quality focus
Relationship management
Operational excellence
Data analysis and performance management
Continuous improvement
Project leadership
Strategic thinking
Cross-functional collaboration
Effective communication