Operations Manager - Yonder Cider

Overview

Yonder Cider Co. is seeking a full-time Operations Manager to join our growing team. The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing logistics, maintenance, and packaging. They provide strategic planning, clear oversight, and effective communication while supervising, motivating, and holding the production team accountable. The Operations Manager also provides support with warehousing and distribution to help ensure timely product flow, while maintaining a safe, clean, and well-functioning facility.

They will work closely with the CEO, Director of Production, and cider-making teams to create practical schedules and staffing plans that meet facility needs. The Operations Manager supports overall operations by reporting data, making process recommendations, and ensuring all legal, compliance, and chain-of-custody requirements are diligently followed. This role requires strong, hands-on leadership, a forward-thinking mindset, proven problem-solving skills, and ownership of preventative maintenance programs to keep people, equipment, and product moving efficiently.

Candidates must also be mechanically savvy, able to troubleshoot electrical issues, identify equipment problems, and be comfortable working around motors, at heights, and in small spaces.

Location: Wenatchee, WA •
Work location: Wenatchee, WA •
Full Time (Salary)

• Responsible for general facility maintenance and upkeep, including a preventative maintenance schedule. Ensure the site meets required standards OSHA and Food Safety Regulation.
• Oversee staffing decisions, performance management, training, safety and quality of cidery operations. Ensure team members have the right tools, knowledge, and equipment required to do their jobs safely and effectively.
• Guarantee a safe working environment for employees by maintaining the facility and equipment in an optimal working environment and enforcing adherence to safe work practices.
• Work alongside cider making leadership to manage operational strategic plans and tasks, ensuring the teams remain focused on all core projects and feedback progress to leadership.
• Utilize cidery management software (EKOS) to problem solve and investigate issues, taking responsibility for ensuring stock is controlled from packaging to delivery.
• Manage proper and timely procurement of raw materials; liaise with staff on site and Shipping & Receiving Assistant to ensure stocks of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods are stored and recorded accurately.
• Assist leadership in meeting production goals. Collaborate on all production activities and create schedules to meet sales forecasts and demands. Hold teams accountable to timelines and delivery of results.
• Monitor and continuously improve cider making operations with regards to safety, quality, efficiency, cost optimization and profitability.
• Develop and implement long and short term planning goals and corrective action plans. Translate the overall business strategy into operational goals and objectives for the cidery.
• Standardize (and update as needed) procedures and protocols and ensure they are being adhered to. Maintain and develop all related SOPs in collaboration with the production team.
• Research and implement operation-related industry trends and compliance initiatives to evolve the cidery operations standards.
• Oversee the design, operation and improvement of systems that produce the Company’s products. Assess equipment purchases and major expenditures to maximize benefit and adhere to budgets.
• Maintain an enjoyable and efficient working environment on site, ensuring the site is functional and repairs occur quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain positive relationships with facility contractors, raw materials suppliers and distribution partners. Manage relationships with orchard partners, projections, receiving of fruit and returning of bins post harvest.
• Support overall operations by reporting data and making process recommendations, while ensuring all legal, compliance, and chain of custody requirements are met and diligently followed by all staff.
• Work with Accounting to review financial statements, sales and activity reports and…