VP of Operations

VP of Operations

Location:

Glendale Heights, IL
* must be based in IL, within a 1-2 hr drive to/from Glendale Heights*

Reports to:

CEO

Job type:
Full-time

NSI is a leading player in the natural private label food industry, dedicated to providing high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced food products to consumers. We are focused on building a high-performing, scalable operation that can support continued business growth. As we continue to expand, we are looking for a strategic and hands-on VP of Operations to lead our operations and help take our manufacturing and logistics network to the next level.

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who combines operational excellence, strong leadership, commercial instincts, data-driven decision-making, and a passion for building scalable systems and partnerships.

The VP of Operations will lead and scale NSI's operations by ensuring we operate better today while building the capabilities and network required for tomorrow's growth. The role has a dual focus:

• Optimize and transform our existing operations through stronger planning, forecasting, inventory management, systems, processes, data, and performance management.
• Develop and scale our manufacturing network by strengthening existing partnerships, developing new co-packers and co-manufacturers, and building strategic 3PL and operational partnerships.

• Planning & Forecasting:
  Develop and lead a strong S&OP and planning process that improves demand visibility, capacity planning, inventory management, and operational decision-making.
• Operational Performance:
  Improve OTIF, service levels, quality, food safety, reliability, and overall operational execution.
• Operational Margin:
  Own the Operations P&L and identify opportunities to improve operational margins, control costs, and prevent unnecessary cost increases.
• Manufacturing Network:
  Diversify, strengthen, and scale NSI's U.S. co-packer and co-manufacturing network to support growth, improve reliability, and reduce operational risk.
• Logistics Network:
  Develop and optimize the U.S. 3PL and logistics network to improve service, capacity, flexibility, and cost competitiveness.
• Inventory:
  Improve inventory planning and management to balance customer service, working capital, supply continuity, and operational efficiency.
• Systems, Data & Automation:
  Transform how Operations uses data, technology, automation, and AI to improve visibility, efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Organization & Leadership:
  Build a high-performing Operations organization with clear ownership, accountability, and the capabilities needed to support NSI's growth.

• Lead S&OP, demand forecasting, capacity planning, inventory, and operational performance.
• Drive improvements in OTIF, service levels, quality, efficiency, and operational margins.

• Build, strengthen, and diversify NSI's U.S. co-packer and co-manufacturing network.
• Develop strategic partnerships and negotiate agreements that support capacity, quality, service, scalability, and cost competitiveness.

• Develop and optimize NSI's U.S. 3PL and logistics network.
• Build strong partner relationships while ensuring performance, reliability, scalability, and competitive commercial terms.

• Modernize operations through better systems, data visibility, reporting, automation, and AI.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards that enable faster, data-driven decision-making.

• Partner with Quality to maintain strong food safety, quality, and operational standards across the manufacturing network.
• Ensure partners consistently meet NSI requirements and performance expectations.

• Lead and develop a high-performing Operations organization with clear accountability and ownership.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and execution.

• Partner closely with the CEO and executive team to translate company strategy into operational priorities.
• Challenge assumptions, identify opportunities, and bring solutions that support NSI’s growth.

• 15+ years of relevant experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field.
• Significant experience managing a complex network of U.S. food manufacturing facilities, co-packers, co-manufacturers, and/or strategic…