Director of Confectionery Operations

Director of Confectionery Operations

$145000 - $175000 per year | Chandler, AZ | On-site | Permanent

Jobot is working with a rapidly growing nutraceutical manufacturer is seeking a hands-on Director of Operations to lead its high-volume manufacturing facility in Chandler, Arizona. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, this individual will translate company strategy into operational results while helping build the systems, culture, and leadership capabilities required for continued growth.

This leader will have end-to-end responsibility for plant operations—from receiving raw materials through production, packaging, and shipment of finished products. The Director will oversee a team of more than 60 employees and directly influence profitability through improvements in productivity, cost, quality, safety, delivery, and waste reduction.

The ideal candidate combines executive presence with a genuine willingness to spend time on the production floor. This person should be an effective communicator and emotionally intelligent leader who can build trust, develop teams, navigate change, and hold the organization accountable for measurable results.

• Three weeks of paid time off in Year 1
• Six company-paid holidays
• Employee product perks
• Professional development and advancement opportunities
• ... and more!

This is an opportunity for a leader who is equally comfortable on the production floor and in executive-level discussions. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking, financial accountability, and strong emotional intelligence to improve performance and build a high-performing culture.

• Lead operational strategy and execution for a 60+ employee manufacturing facility
• Own plant performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, waste, and profitability
• Translate company goals into measurable operational targets and accountability systems
• Establish scalable processes, operating rhythms, and performance dashboards
• Lead lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement initiatives
• Evaluate production schedules, staffing, capacity, inventory, and equipment constraints
• Partner with the CEO on capital investments, headcount planning, and facility expansion
• Develop plant leadership, strengthen succession planning, and improve employee performance
• Maintain compliance with cGMP, FDA, food-safety, and quality-management requirements
• Oversee facility maintenance, sanitation, equipment reliability, and third-party contractors
• Promote consistent operational standards between the Arizona and California locations

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced or technical degree preferred
• At least 3-5 years of senior operations leadership experience in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical-device, food, or similarly regulated manufacturing
• Experience leading a sizable workforce in a high-volume production environment
• Working knowledge of cGMP and FDA regulations
• Demonstrated accountability for cost, productivity, profitability, and plant KPIs
• Documented accomplishments in cost reduction, productivity, quality, delivery, or capacity improvement
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement practices
• Strong executive presence with the ability to partner directly with senior leadership
• Hands‑on leadership style and willingness to maintain a visible production‑floor presence
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and people‑development skills
• Experience with ERP/MES platforms, production dashboards, and digital quality systems
• Ability to travel periodically to the company’s Gardena, California facility

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work…