Contract Manufacturing Manager

David Protein; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range: $165–$185K per year

Company equity opportunity

Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

401(k) with match

Gym expenses coverage

Substantial PTO

Job summary

David in New York City is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to own key co-manufacturing relationships, drive performance, and lead initiatives across quality, cost, and throughput. You will partner with planning and cross‑functional teams to allocate capacity, ensure on‑time production, and optimize the network for growth.

The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing or operations, a strong ownership mindset, and the ability to influence without direct authority.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing/operations or supply chain in fast-paced settings.
• Strong relationship management and ownership mentality.
• Ability to influence others and drive results without direct authority.
• Clear, direct communicator comfortable with tough conversations.
• Detail-oriented with prioritization skills in ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

• Own relationships with key co-manufacturing partners, primary contact for performance and escalations.
• Lead performance reviews and quarterly business reviews with clear metrics and owners.
• Own manufacturing KPIs: production attainment, OTIF, RFT, throughput, yield, scrap, cost per pound, quality, complaints.
• Identify performance gaps, lead root-cause analysis, drive corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement across throughput, yield, quality, service, cost with partners.
• Develop understanding of partner capabilities to inform allocation and strategy.
• Partner with Planning to manage short- and long-term capacity to support growth.
• Represent manufacturing partners internally, communicating capabilities and constraints.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Procurement, Finance, Fulfillment, and Commercialization.
• Build analytics and reporting to create visibility and identify opportunities.
• Lead high-impact operational initiatives from problem definition through execution with ownership.

Skills

Relationship management

Ownership mentality

Influence without authority

Clear communication

Decision making in ambiguity

Continuous improvement

Job description

Company:

David creates tools to increase muscle and decrease fat. Our first product is a protein bar. More broadly, David is a platform to develop high-protein, low-calorie, blood-sugar-friendly foods that are craveable.

This is a rare opportunity to join a breakout food brand at a pivotal stage of growth. Led by CEO Peter Rahal, Cofounder and Former CEO of RXBAR, David is working to become the leading consumer food brand focused on high-protein foods in North America and beyond.

Role & Responsibilities:

As a Manager on the Manufacturing team at David, you will own the relationship and performance of key co-manufacturing partners. You will be responsible for building strong partnerships while holding a high bar for service, quality, cost, yield, throughput, and capacity.

You will develop a deep understanding of each partner’s operations, use data to drive performance, and ensure risks and opportunities are acted on quickly. Internally, you will represent your partners’ capabilities and constraints, aligning cross‑functional teams around clear priorities and decisions.

In this role you will:

• Own relationships with key co-manufacturing partners, serving as the primary point of contact for performance, priorities, risks, and escalations.
• Lead performance reviews and quarterly business reviews, establishing clear metrics, commitments, owners, and accountability.
• Own manufacturing KPIs including production attainment, OTIF, RFT, throughput, yield, scrap, cost per pound, quality performance, and complaint rates.
• Identify performance gaps, lead root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions through measurable and sustained resolution.
• Drive continuous improvement across throughput, yield, quality, service, and cost in partnership with co-manufacturers.
• Develop a deep understanding of partner capabilities, constraints, processes, and economics to inform production allocation and manufacturing strategy.
• Partner with Planning to manage short- and long‑term capacity, ensuring the manufacturing network can reliably support David’s growth.
• Represent manufacturing partners internally, clearly communicating capabilities, constraints, risks, and tradeoffs to drive effective decision‑making.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Quality, R&D, Procurement, Finance, Fulfillment, and Commercialization to execute operational priorities and product launches.
• Build the analytical tools and reporting required to create visibility, identify opportunities, and drive manufacturing performance.
• Lead high‑impact operational initiatives from problem definition through execution, with clear ownership for results.

• 5+ years of experience in a fast‑paced, high‑accountability environment; manufacturing, operations, supply chain, high‑growth startup, or similarly rigorous experience preferred.
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to build trust while holding external partners to a high bar for performance.
• High motor and strong ownership mentality; you identify problems early, drive them to resolution, and take accountability for outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive results through others without relying on direct authority.
• Clear, direct communicator who is comfortable navigating difficult conversations, challenging stakeholders, and driving accountability.
• Strong judgment and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and make decisions in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a track record of identifying opportunities and translating them into measurable results.

• We work in the office 5 days per week in New York City – when culture lines up, it is fun to be in the office together.
• Salary: $165–185K per year, inclusive of cash bonus based on attainment of company targets.
• Company equity opportunity on top of cash compensation.
• 100% covered Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance.
• 401(k) with 4% match.
• Additional perks, such as covered gym expenses.
• Substantial and required PTO.