Director of Operations

ForceBrands; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ForceBrands seeks an executive to Lead and scale the operations across planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics and fulfillment in a dynamic CPG environment.

You will own S&OP, forecasting, inventory planning, and ERP-driven workflows while managing co-manufacturers and distributor relationships. A strong emphasis on cost optimization, supplier negotiations, and end‑to‑end execution drives this role.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of operations or supply chain leadership within CPG, preferably food & beverage
• Strong manufacturing experience across in-house and co-manufacturing environments
• Deep expertise in procurement, supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost optimization
• Strong knowledge of S&OP, forecasting, inventory planning, MRP, and ERP systems
• Experience managing logistics, warehousing, distribution, and international inbound freight
• Familiarity with Amazon FBA and major retailers/distributors (Walmart, KeHE, UNFI, Whole Foods, Sprouts)

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the operations function across planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and fulfillment
• Own and strengthen S&OP processes including forecasting and inventory planning
• Ensure strong tactical execution across supply planning, production, inventory, and customer fulfillment
• Professionalize and optimize processes across procurement-to-pay, manufacturing, and logistics
• Improve ERP utilization to support MRP, forecasting, inventory management, and operational reporting
• Oversee relationships and production planning with co-manufacturing partners
• Lead procurement strategy, supplier negotiations, contracts, and cost optimization
• Manage international inbound freight and outbound distribution across channels
• Oversee Amazon FBA, retail consolidation, and relationships with major distributors
• Align inventory and planning with growth objectives
• Maintain onsite leadership and direct a growing operations team
• Travel ≈25% to visit suppliers and partners

Skills

Supply chain leadership

Forecasting

Inventory planning

S&OP

MRP

ERP systems

Procurement

Supplier negotiations

Contract management

Cost optimization

Logistics management

Fulfillment

Job description

• Lead, develop, and scale the operations function across planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and fulfillment
• Own and strengthen the S&OP process, including forecasting, inventory planning, and supply alignment
• Ensure strong tactical execution across supply planning, production, inventory, and customer fulfillment
• Professionalize and optimize processes across procurement-to-pay, manufacturing, and logistics
• Improve ERP utilization to support MRP, forecasting, inventory management, and operational reporting
• Oversee relationships and production planning with multiple co-manufacturing partners
• Lead procurement strategy, supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost-optimization initiatives
• Manage international inbound freight and outbound distribution across retail, ecommerce, and distributor channels
• Oversee Amazon FBA, retail consolidation, and relationships with major distributors
• Align inventory and operational planning with the company’s growth objectives
• Maintain a strong onsite leadership presence and provide direction to a growing operations team
• Travel approximately 25% to visit suppliers, manufacturing partners, and other operational locations

Candidate Profile

• 10–15+ years of operations or supply chain leadership experience within CPG, preferably food and beverage
• Strong manufacturing experience across both in-house and outsourced or co-manufacturing environments
• Deep expertise in procurement, supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost optimization
• Strong knowledge of S&OP, forecasting, inventory planning, MRP, and ERP systems
• Experience managing logistics, warehousing, distribution, and international inbound freight
• Familiarity with Amazon FBA and major retail and distributor channels such as Walmart, KeHE, UNFI, Whole Foods, and Sprouts