Director of Production Operations – Fresh Cut & Value-Added Products

Location: Virginia
Salary: $110,000 – $135,000 (based on experience)

A leading Mid-Atlantic food distributor is launching a Fresh Cut & Value-Added Products division and seeking an experienced Director of Production Operations to build and lead the program from the ground up.

This role combines hands-on production management with strategic leadership—you’ll design workflows, manage daily operations, and drive innovation for retail-ready produce and prepared food items like salads, parfaits, fruit cups, and snack boxes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations for fresh cut and value-added product lines.
• Develop and optimize production schedules for a 7-day operation.
• Build and track KPIs for efficiency, yield, and labor performance.
• Oversee quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance (HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA).
• Direct R&D for new product development, packaging, and labeling.
• Recruit, train, and manage production supervisors and leads.
• Collaborate with sales to support go-to-market and retail strategies.

Qualifications

• 7–12 years in food production or fresh cut operations, with 3+ years in leadership.
• Proven experience launching or scaling ready-to-eat or value-added products.
• Strong background in production planning, process optimization, and data analytics.
• Knowledge of food safety, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with hands-on leadership style.

Why Join

• Build a new division within a stable, established company.
• Career growth and long-term leadership opportunity.
• Competitive pay, relocation support, and performance-based potential.