Manager, Co-Manufacturing

Manager, Co-Manufacturing

Since 1951, Hickory Farms has connected people with savory flavors to share and send. Our specialty cured meats and cheeses are available for purchase online, in catalogs, in leading mass merchants and supermarkets, and in seasonal retail locations in the US and Canada.

Hickory Farms is a privately held company with 75 years of delivering quality, well-loved food gifts and charcuterie essentials. Every member of our nimble, dynamic team makes an impact every day in a high-energy, results-driven culture.

Our values lead the way. They are:
The customer is our focus. Integrity and respect. We own it. Everyone has a place at the table. We embrace change. We savor the journey together.

The Manager, Co-Manufacturing, is responsible for overseeing third-party manufacturing partners to ensure products are produced efficiently, delivered on time and in full, meet cost objectives, and comply with company quality standards and customer requirements. This role manages the end-to-end execution of outsourced manufacturing operations, including sourcing and onboarding co-manufacturing partners, negotiating pricing, monitoring vendor performance, managing inventory, and mitigating operational risks.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Operations Strategy and Technology, the Manager, Co-Manufacturing serves as a key cross-functional partner, coordinating across Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Sales, and external manufacturing partners to ensure the successful execution of outsourced business initiatives and customer programs.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage relationships with third-party manufacturers and co-packers to ensure service, quality, compliance, and operational performance expectations are consistently achieved.
• Serve as the primary liaison for third-party manufacturing and co-packing partners, driving accountability, fostering strong business relationships, and conducting regular site visits and performance reviews.
• Oversee outsourced production activities to ensure products are manufactured accurately and efficiently, delivered on time and in full (OTIF), and meet all quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Identify & evaluate opportunities to outsource production and/or fulfillment services for existing businesses.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard third-party manufacturers/co-packers; negotiating manufacturing costs to secure favorable pricing.
• Monitor vendor performance through KPIs, scorecards, and regular business reviews to ensure SLA's are being met.
• Partnering with quality and product teams to ensure outsourced items meet exact customer and product specifications.
• Develop strong working relationships with internal & external partners.

Project Management:

• Lead and oversee the end-to-end execution of third-party manufacturer/co-packer programs.
• Develop, maintain, and manage comprehensive project plans to ensure clear objectives and milestones.
• Facilitate and lead cross-functional project meetings to align stakeholders, drive accountability, and resolve issues impacting project timeliness.
• Consistently deliver projects on schedule and within budget parameters.

Other requirements:

• Proactive and results-driven professional capable of independently driving initiatives and delivering outcomes.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets, manufacturing costs, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Dedication to ongoing innovation and process improvement
• Proven success in driving cross-functional collaboration to achieve business objectives
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail to drive data-informed decisions
• Proficiency in spreadsheet modeling and financial analysis to assess business impact and support strategic initiatives
• Alignment with company values and culture, demonstrating behaviors that reinforce organizational priorities
• Hybrid role spending 2-3 days per week in Joliet with up to 5 days per week during peak season in August-October.
• Ability to…