Vice President Operations

Founded in 1984, Best Formulations LLC, a diversified nutraceutical and personal care company headquartered in City of Industry, California, is a contract manufacturer of thousands of branded SKUs, including high quality nutritional supplements including softgels, tablets, capsules, powders, teas, dietary supplements, and vegetarian softgels.

About the role:

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and have one of the strongest R&D, product formulation and technical teams in the industry. We are recognized as the leader in plant-based softgel innovation and our ability to encapsulate difficult formulas. We seek out innovation across our entire business and pass that knowledge and expertise to our customers.

The Vice President of Operations will play a vital role in establishing and managing our manufacturing facility. This position will oversee sourcing, procurement, planning, and operations, ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and quality. The VP of Operations will also provide critical input for customer quotes, meet with clients to determine optimal configurations, and ensure successful product launches. This role requires a blend of mechanical knowledge, industry experience, and exceptional leadership skills.

How will you contribute:

Oversee the Entire Supply Chain Process:

• Ensure raw materials are ordered in appropriate quantities to keep production running smoothly while minimizing inventory dollars.
• Ensure planning and production are managed to optimize output, quality, and cost to meet customer due dates.
• Hire, train, and develop staff to properly manage the ongoing business and be prepared to manage future business requirements.
• Ensure products are delivered accurately and on-time to customers.
• Manage total inventory levels, COGs, and labor efficiently and within budget.
• Ensure department expense budgets are reasonable and achieved within budget.

Oversee Buildout of New Facility:

• Manage architect/engineer and guide the permit process.
• Provide input to facility design to maximize space usage and throughput efficiencies.
• Select subcontractors based on competitive bids, qualifications, and timing.
• Oversee internal personnel in distributing air and other non-electrical setup items.

Oversee Equipment Purchases to Ensure Adequacy:

• Obtain multiple quotes for appropriate machinery.
• Track and manage committed delivery dates.
• Adjust delivery schedules to accommodate critical infrastructure items.
• Interface with finance to provide all required information for equipment leases.
• Design infrastructure for desired capacities (water, etc.).
• Identify the best automation vs. affordability vs. flexibility trade-offs, resulting in minimal lines to handle a maximum number of SKUs.
• Source new and used equipment from various markets.
• Develop SOPs for compounding, production, maintenance, and facilities, keeping in mind FDA, GMP, and customer requirements.
• Plan for future expansion of production.
• Interface with the planning function to ensure timely scheduling and completion of jobs.

Oversee First Production of New Formula Launches:

• Meet with appropriate customer staff for product launches with R&D.
• Review initial packaging of brand launch to ensure compatibility with filling equipment and offer any efficiency suggestions or recommendations.
• Review final packaging of the brand prior to launch, ensuring tooling compatibility.
• Offer feedback or suggestions regarding pack outs, transportation based on types of components, etc.
• Conduct pilot batches of new formulas with the customer possibly on-site.
• Conduct production line trials of new formulas with final packaging to ensure formula and equipment compatibility with the customer possibly on-site.

Supervisory Duties:

• Perform a variety of leadership duties and job tasks within assigned department and/or work area, ensuring compliance with all applicable safety laws/regulations and state/federal employment laws.
• Support Company policies, procedures, and work-rules and ensure that department employees comply.
• Assist with interviewing and selecting new hires for the department, following non-discriminatory laws and guidelines.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and training to department employees to meet company standards and work expectations.
• Review safety rules with new department employees, ensuring understanding of Company safety policies and work rules.
• Participate in injury/accident investigations and conduct necessary safety inspections.
• Counsel and discipline employees as needed to ensure compliance with Company policies and standards.
• Set a positive example of leadership, promoting open communication, positive team-building efforts, and employee morale.
• Assist with the completion of 90-Day and annual employee performance evaluations.
• Participate in employee suspension and termination meetings.
• Perform other supervisory and managerial duties as needed/requested by senior management.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations management within the nutraceuticals or supplements industry.
• Proven experience in manufacturing buildouts and optimization.
• Strong mechanical knowledge and expertise in determining proper equipment and setups.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with all relevant functions within the organization.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Positive reputation among leading brands in the industry.

Work Environment:

May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

What Best Formulations can offer you:

• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Pet Insurance
• Health & Wellness programs
• Generous time off for vacations

More about us:

As a valued strategic partner, Best Formulations offers a comprehensive program of services, turnkey solutions, and client support that is unmatched in the industry. Our product development team can provide customized, proprietary formulations designed specifically to meet the needs of our customers and their method of distribution. Our vertically integrated manufacturing and packaging process allows us to schedule flexible production runs to respond quickly to shifting market demands. Every step of the way, we are committed to your growth and success!

"To develop and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with our employees, customers, and business partners by providing the highest quality products and the Best customer service. Together We Grow!"

This position is currently classified as on-site.

Base Salary Range: $198,000 - $258,000 per year, based on candidate professional experience level. Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Holidays, Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

In accordance with the CO Equal Pay Act, Colorado Applicants Are Not Permitted to Apply.

The Company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior management, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

EEO Statement

Best Formulations is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Best Formulations will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Best Formulations in advance.