Operations Lead, Canning

Very Good Manufacturing; Fort Worth, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Very Good Manufacturing is seeking a Technical Operations Lead to own and optimize the 100ml canning line in Fort Worth, TX. You will drive major line upgrades, integrate new equipment, and mentor a growing team of mechanics, operators and leads to deliver high performance and reliability on a fast-moving production floor.

The role demands hands-on technical leadership, data-driven decision making, and passion for automation and process improvement in a startup-like environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading 100ml canning line operations.
• Hands-on role on a fast-paced production line.
• Ability to mentor mechanics, operators and leads.
• Data-driven troubleshooting and preventive maintenance planning.

Responsibilities

• Own daily technical operations, performance, and efficiency of the 100ml canning line (100+ cpm).
• Lead integration of new equipment and upcoming line upgrades/expansions.
• Develop and mentor the technical team to build a world-class operation.
• Drive continuous improvement across line speed, changeover, and inspection systems.
• Collaborate with Engineering to standardize processes and pursue automation opportunities.

Skills

Technical leadership

High-speed canning

Line upgrades

Automation

OEE tracking

Mentoring

Troubleshooting

Tools

PLC programming

Automation integration

Inspection systems

Job description

We're Hiring — Beverage Co-Packing Jobs in Fort Worth, TX

Technical Operations Lead, 100ml Canning

About Very Good Manufacturing:

Very Good Manufacturing is a rapidly growing beverage manufacturing company trusted by the world’s leading alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands. We design and build innovative production lines emphasizing efficiency, consistency, flexibility, and rapid changeover. With state-of-the-art capabilities and a relentless commitment to quality, we position production as a competitive advantage—not merely a cost center.

Our company is growing fast: the Fort Worth, Texas production facility will be at full capacity by the end of 2026 with plans of opening a second location by years end. We are looking for professional, talented and driven individuals to join our team and grow with the company.

About the role:

Join a fast-growing, engineering-driven beverage manufacturing startup that partners with the world's leading alcohol brands. In this role, you'll be the technical authority driving operational excellence for 100ml canning at Very Good, including spearheading major line upgrades and expansions planned.

Key responsibilities:

• Own daily technical operations, performance, and efficiency of our 100ml canning line (100+ cpm)
• Lead implementation of new equipment integration and upcoming line upgrades/expansions
• Develop and mentor canning line mechanics, operators, and team leads to build a world-class technical team
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for:
  • Line efficiency improvements (line speed, changeover time, inspection system improvements)
  • Preventive maintenance programs tailored to each work center
  • Integration of automation and OEE tracking systems
• Manage relationships with and allocate resources to contractors, OEM technicians, and equipment vendors
• Collaborate with Engineering to standardize existing processes and drive process optimization initiatives — including automation opportunities, line layout changes, liquid process streamlining
• Serve as primary technical resource for Quality Control on critical quality checks including fill levels, seam integrity (visual and teardown analysis), dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, and package integrity
• Has extensive hands-on technical experience with high-speed canning and packaging equipment
• Is a natural problem solver who enjoys working in a manufacturing floor setting
• Is always first on the scene to get their hands dirty
• Eager to learn and experiment with new technologies, processes, and equipment — someone who sees innovation as part of the job, not a side project
• Has experience with and interest in automation and OEE, PLCs, inspection systems
• Has a data-driven, documentation-oriented approach to troubleshooting, preventive maintenance and continuous improvement
• Enjoys mentoring and developing technical talent
• Is excited about working in a fast-paced startup environment where you have full ownership over your own initiatives, and your impact is immediate and visible

Why join Very Good:

• Be part of a rapidly growing company that's disrupting beverage manufacturing
• Work with cutting-edge engineering and fabrication resources, including in-house sanitary welding, CNC machine, and 3D printing capabilities
• Work directly with industry-leading alcohol brands
• Opportunity to shape and scale technical operations as we expand

About Very Good Manufacturing

Very Good Manufacturing is a high-speed beverage production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. We run contract production for leading alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands. We specialize in distilled spirits, ready-to-drink (RTD), and canned cocktails, and our high speed canning and bottling lines run all TTB-approved sizes and fill levels. We are the #1 co-packer in the country for 100ml cans (specialty format for craft distilled spirits and high proof canned cocktails), and we have a full on-site R&D Beverage Laboratory for private label beverage concepting & formulation.