VP of Operations

Job title: VP of Operations

• Location: Glendale Heights, IL * must be based in IL, within a 1-2 hr drive to/from Glendale Heights*
• Reports to: CEO

Job type: Full-time

Overview:

NSI is a leading player in the natural private label food industry, dedicated to providing high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced food products to consumers. We are focused on building a high-performing, scalable operation that can support continued business growth. As we continue to expand, we are looking for a strategic and hands-on VP of Operations to lead our operations and help take our manufacturing and logistics network to the next level. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who combines operational excellence, strong leadership, commercial instincts, data-driven decision-making, and a passion for building scalable systems and partnerships.

Mission:

The VP of Operations will lead and scale NSI's operations by ensuring we operate better today while building the capabilities and network required for tomorrow's growth. The role has a dual focus:

Optimize and transform our existing operations through stronger planning, forecasting, inventory management, systems, processes, data, and performance management.

Develop and scale our manufacturing network by strengthening existing partnerships, developing new co-packers and co-manufacturers, and building strategic 3PL and operational partnerships.

Key objectives:

Planning & Forecasting: Develop and lead a strong S&OP and planning process that improves demand visibility, capacity planning, inventory management, and operational decision-making.

Operational Performance: Improve OTIF, service levels, quality, food safety, reliability, and overall operational execution.

Operational Margin: Own the Operations P&L and identify opportunities to improve operational margins, control costs, and prevent unnecessary cost increases.

Manufacturing Network: Diversify, strengthen, and scale NSI's U.S. co-packer and co-manufacturing network to support growth, improve reliability, and reduce operational risk.

Logistics Network: Develop and optimize the U.S. 3PL and logistics network to improve service, capacity, flexibility, and cost competitiveness.

Inventory: Improve inventory planning and management to balance customer service, working capital, supply continuity, and operational efficiency.

Systems, Data & Automation: Transform how Operations uses data, technology, automation, and AI to improve visibility, efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making.

Organization & Leadership: Build a high-performing Operations organization with clear ownership, accountability, and the capabilities needed to support NSI's growth.

Key responsibilities:

1. Planning, Forecasting & Operational Excellence

Lead S&OP, demand forecasting, capacity planning, inventory, and operational performance.

Drive improvements in OTIF, service levels, quality, efficiency, and operational margins.

2. Manufacturing Network Development

Build, strengthen, and diversify NSI’s U.S. co-packer and co-manufacturing network.

Develop strategic partnerships and negotiate agreements that support capacity, quality, service, scalability, and cost competitiveness.

3. Logistics & Strategic Partnerships

Develop and optimize NSI’s U.S. 3PL and logistics network.

Build strong partner relationships while ensuring performance, reliability, scalability, and competitive commercial terms.

4. Systems, Data, Automation & AI

Modernize operations through better systems, data visibility, reporting, automation, and AI.

Establish KPIs and dashboards that enable faster, data-driven decision-making.

5. Quality & Food Safety

Partner with Quality to maintain strong food safety, quality, and operational standards across the manufacturing network.

Ensure partners consistently meet NSI requirements and performance expectations.

6. Team Leadership & Culture

Lead and develop a high-performing Operations organization with clear accountability and ownership.

Build a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and execution.

7. Executive Partnership

Partner closely with the CEO and executive team to translate company strategy into operational priorities.

Challenge assumptions, identify opportunities, and bring solutions that support NSI’s growth.

The ideal candidate will have:

15+ years of relevant experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field.

Significant experience managing a complex network of U.S. food manufacturing facilities, co-packers, co-manufacturers, and/or strategic manufacturing partners.

Experience managing a large network; experience with 50+ facilities or partners is highly desirable.

Strong understanding of food manufacturing and food safety.

Proven experience leading S&OP, demand planning, forecasting, capacity planning, inventory planning, production, and logistics.

Experience with ERP, MRP, MPS, or similar planning and operational systems.

Demonstrated experience implementing systems, dashboards, reporting, automation, or data infrastructure.

Experience applying AI, automation, or advanced technology to Operations is highly valued.

Strong contract and commercial negotiation experience, particularly with third party manufacturers.

Proven ability to build and manage strategic third-party manufacturing relationships.

Experience owning or significantly influencing an Operations P&L and improving operational margins is highly desirable.

Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25–30% of the time.

Work environment:

Illinois-based remote role. Candidates must reside in Illinois and be able to work remotely, with regular travel to NSI’s offices for in-person team collaboration, leadership meetings, strategic planning, and other business needs.

Travel of approximately 25–30% is required to visit co-packing/co-manufacturing partners, 3PLs, industry partners, and other operational sites.

NSI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

Please direct all recruiting and candidate inquiries to [email protected].

Contacting other team members or departments will result in your message not being reviewed.