VP of Operations: Co-Pack & Growth Leader

Creative Alignments; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan

Employee profit-sharing program

Product stipend and access to industry

Job summary

American Outdoor Products, based in Boulder, Colorado, seeks a transformative VP of Operations to build the operational foundation for scalable, profitable growth. You will lead manufacturing, supply chain, quality, fulfillment, and facilities, shaping an aggressive, multi-brand operational strategy with a focus on co-packing as a core business unit.

You will develop and execute a roadmap, drive continuous improvement, and align functional teams with financial objectives, customer expectations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or related industries, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role.
• Proven success scaling manufacturing operations and launching a co-packing or contract manufacturing business.
• Experience achieving SQF and equivalent certifications to support co-packing clients.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to evaluate and negotiate co-packing contracts.
• Expertise in supply chain management, ERP systems, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing departmental P&L responsibility and capital projects.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and build high-performance cultures.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and hands-on leadership across Warehouse, Shipping, Quality Assurance, Production, Supply Chain, and Facilities departments, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and a 'people-first' leadership approach.
• Develop and execute a multi-year roadmap for AOP to become a leading co-packer in the outdoor and natural foods sector, including investments in equipment, facilities, staffing, and systems.
• Lead annual planning for operations, including resource allocation, capital investments, and strategic initiatives in partnership with Sales, Finance and the CEO.
• Champion and embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout all operational areas, proactively identifying, recommending, and implementing initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize waste.
• Develop, implement, and continuously enhance operational tools, systems, and processes, including automation, ERP, and digital transformation, to modernize operations.
• Oversee critical facility and equipment management strategies to minimize downtime, enhance preventive maintenance practices, and drive improvements in production capabilities.
• Bridge company vision and manufacturing operations, embedding brand ethos into sourcing decisions, operational practices, fulfillment processes and supply chain strategies.
• Ensure rigorous compliance and leadership in adhering to all company policies, regulatory requirements, quality standards, safety protocols, sanitation practices, and certifications such as OSHA, USDA, HACCP, Kosher, Organic, Non-GMO, and SQF.
• Oversee systems and accountability for production schedules, ensuring on-time, in-full shipment targets of at least 98%.
• Analyze operational and manufacturing data to proactively resolve challenges and minimize disruptions, delivering timely, accurate reporting to leadership.
• Build and lead AOP's co-packing business unit, owning full P&L accountability to drive profitability while meeting customer service and quality standards.
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Finance to position AOP as a competitive, reliable co-packing provider and ensure innovation meets customer needs.
• Build contingency planning and redundancy into the supply chain through diversified vendor relationships.

Skills

Operations leadership

Supply chain management

ERP systems

P&L management

Regulatory compliance

Financial acumen

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations/Engineering/Supply Chain

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

American Outdoor Products, based in Boulder, Colorado, seeks a transformative VP of Operations to build the operational foundation for scalable, profitable growth. You will lead manufacturing, supply chain, quality, fulfillment, and facilities, shaping an aggressive, multi-brand operational strategy with a focus on co-packing as a core business unit.

You will develop and execute a roadmap, drive continuous improvement, and align functional teams with financial objectives, customer expectations,