Manager, Manufacturing & Distribution

POSITION OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

The Manager of Manufacturing & Distribution will lead and manage all operations associated with our Hudson Valley workshop, including production, quality assurance, warehousing, inbound/outbound shipping, and safety & compliance. This includes ensuring products are made in the quantities required by production planning, within designated timeframes, and at the most efficient cost without compromising high standards for safety and quality. 

The Manager of Manufacturing & Distribution will also be responsible for hiring, training, supervising, motivating, and developing production team members to ensure optimal production results and a culture of continuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role at a fast growing beauty brand with fantastic opportunities for ownership and impact. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Personnel Management

• Build a strong, achievement-oriented organizational culture with high levels of professionalism, quality, productivity, and engagement
• Understand, communicate, and drive results consistent with company goals and strategic plans, including administration and communication of corporate policies and procedures
• Develop and maintain workshop staffing model; recruit, hire, and train additional staff to meet demand 
• Maintain training documentation and administer training programs
• Set team and individual performance expectations; regularly evaluate employee performance, providing coaching, feedback, and corrective action as needed

Operational Planning and Processes

• Collaborate with Director of Strategy & Operations to review strategic plans and forecasts; develop production plans that effectively prioritize available resources
• Develop and communicate weekly production schedules and goals, ensuring planned output is achieved
• Create and implement operational systems including inventory management processes and other process improvements to ensure the workshop operates at peak efficiency
• Assess and maintain appropriate inventory levels between the workshop and our 3PL to ensure we can meet demand across channels
• Maintain accurate documentation of all production output and ensure all systems are updated in a timely manner
• Place orders for all raw materials, shipping supplies, and office supplies, and maintain positive relationships with all suppliers
• Ensure all materials and finished goods meet  quality standards; this may include scent testing and visually inspecting products as part of daily quality checks
• Facilitate all inbound and outbound shipments, manage freight relationships, and assess areas for cost optimization

Wholesale

• Communicate directly with wholesale contacts to finalize orders, facilitate samples, and provide tracking information
• Maintain detailed documentation and ensure compliance with all retailer routing requirements, including updating external systems
• Effectively prioritize and QA wholesale orders to ensure all retailer ship windows are achieved

Facility Management & Safety

• Ensure that facilities are well-maintained and meet compliance standards / government regulations
• Conduct proactive facility maintenance, scheduling cleaning, repairs, or other projects as needed
• Maintain robust organizational systems within the workshop and foster a neat and tidy work environment 
• Enforce adherence to all health and safety policies and ensure safe use of all workshop equipment, including  manufacturing machinery and pallet jacks
• Urgently communicate any quality, safety, or personnel concerns immediately to senior management

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A. required
• 5+ years of experience working in a manufacturing facility or fulfillment center, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role required
• Experience in Cosmetics, Personal Care, and/or Food Production preferred
• Proven experience building high-performance teams, with ability to lead and motivate employees in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills—both written and oral
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to work efficiently under tight timelines and achieve quality results 
• Exceptional critical thinking skills, with ability to proactively and independently identify problems and build solutions 
• Knowledge and experience in continuous improvement methodologies and operational excellence practices, including adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) standards
• Demonstrated leadership of safety initiatives that drive a zero-injury culture
• Passionate about learning and development; eager to give and receive candid, real-time feedback in support of professional development
• Experience working with WMS and ERP systems (Netsuite preferred), with a strong understanding of inventory management best practices
• Proficient in Excel
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift 55 pounds repeatedly and frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach
• Ability to maneuver pallets, operate forklift and other equipment as needed
• Ability to stand/walk for up to 9 hours during shifts