JOB SUMMARY
Mama Lola’s is a dynamic and rapidly expanding tortilla and fried chip manufacturer located in Phoenix, AZ. We are seeking an experienced and vision-oriented VP of Operations to spearhead the company’s efforts, execute on the ambitious growth expectations of more than doubling revenue to large national customers within the next 3 years. This position requires an individual who can achieve both short-term objectives while focusing on how these objectives get the company closer to achieving its long-term initiatives.
The VP-Operations serves as the Company’s senior operating leader collaborating and reporting directly to the President and is fully accountable for the safety, consistent product quality, and efficient operation of the entire facility. This role owns production output, labor efficiency, equipment reliability, routine and preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement across the plant and is a major contributor to food safety, quality compliance, SOPs.
The ideal candidate is a proven leader who has mastered being an agent of change within the organization—someone who thrives in an SQF Level 3 environment, understands high-speed food manufacturing, and can translate strategy into disciplined execution across both people and equipment and excels in shaping future growth
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Execution
- Own full responsibility for production performance, labor utilization, efficiency, waste, downtime, throughput, and equipment uptime.
- Lead Production, Maintenance, Engineering and Sanitation departments with clear expectations, disciplined processes, and accountability at every level.
- Trains team on continuous improvement methods. Measures results and initiatives process improvement execution
- Can evaluate the effectiveness of all equipment, identifies bottlenecks limiting growth, and recommends viable solutions
KPI Ownership & Continuous Improvement
- Collaborate with the President to establish, modify, monitor, and improve KPIs
- Suggest and optimize improvement initiatives that reduce material loss, boost throughput, stabilize labor standards, and improve equipment reliability.
- Oversee an up to $5 million capital improvement plan that needs to be implemented within the next 3 years
- Use Microsoft Dynamics / Business Central and MaintainX to drive decisions and accountability, not just reporting.
People, Performance & Department Leadership
- Directly manage the Production Manager, Maintenance Manager, Production Scheduler, and Sanitations Leads
- Ensure standardized onboarding, training, certification, and skills development for all production, maintenance, and sanitation personnel.
- Conduct routine coaching, performance evaluations, and corrective actions when necessary.
- Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, pride in workmanship, and cross-functional ownership.
- Ensure all equipment is operated, maintained, and serviced in compliance with safety, food safety, and regulatory standards
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
- Partner closely with Quality Assurance leadership to ensure SQF Level 3 compliance and continuous audit readiness.
- Support and enforce all requirements related to SQF, FDA, Organic, and Kosher certifications.
- Ensure all SOPs, work instructions, GMPs, sanitation procedures, and safety rules are documented, trained, followed, and enforced.
- Champion a food safety and sanitation culture where quality and compliance are non-negotiable.
Process, Documentation & Systems
- Develop, maintain, review, and continuously improve SOPs, work instructions, maintenance standards, and safety documentation.
- Collaborate with Business Data Analysts to convert plant and maintenance data into actionable improvements.
- Reduce changeover time and operational variability through standard work and disciplined scheduling.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (18-36 months)
- Develop executable plans to double production output over next 3 years via:
- Select new equipment or process improvements
- Transition to a 24/5 production facility
- Potentially move one of the current product lines to new facility
- Waste and labor cost as % of revenue are measurably improved
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in: Operations Management, Engineering or Business Administration
- 5–7+ operating at a Senior Level in a high-volume food operation with a track record of executing capital improvement plans and doubling growth objectives.
- Proven experience leading operations in SQF Level 3 or GFSI-certified facilities
- Strong working knowledge of FDA regulations, food safety systems, maintenance best practices, and audit preparation
- Working understanding of P&L, budgeting, and cost controls
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods
- Ability to work in industrial environments
- Ability to lift 50 lbs
- Ability to bend, reach, kneel.
- Good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
SALARY
$175K - 185K annual salary paid biweekly
