Director of Operations Excellence & Process Engineering

This is a high‑impact role for a builder who can translate operational strategy into durable, scalable systems across production, packaging, facilities, and last‑mile delivery.

As the company prepares to expand products and scale operations 2-3x, this leader will architect the processes, tools, and technologies that enable safe, efficient, and repeatable production.

Client Details

This confidential client is a rapidly scaling, mission‑driven food manufacturer delivering fresh, ready‑to‑eat products nationwide. With a vertically integrated model, spanning culinary production, packing, cold chain, and last‑mile delivery, they operate a high‑growth, fast‑moving environment where operational excellence directly impacts customer experience.

The organization is entering its next phase of expansion and is investing heavily in process design, automation, and systems standardization. They are building out a new Process Engineering function beginning with this Director‑level hire, providing a rare opportunity to shape how a national food operation scales end‑to‑end.

Description

• Build and lead the Operations Excellence roadmap, define performance metrics, and establish standardized operating systems and SOP governance across production and logistics.
• Map processes, remove variation, and implement controls, Lean fundamentals, and CAPAs to improve consistency, quality, throughput, and waste reduction.
• Develop and maintain full capacity models across manufacturing and logistics; identify bottlenecks and execute improvements in flow, changeovers, staging, and pack lines.
• Evaluate, justify, and implement automation, equipment, and robotics, ensuring strong ROI, operational readiness, adoption, and maintenance standards.
• Drive systems upgrades (manufacturing, inventory, labeling, routing, dashboards) with clear requirements, disciplined program management, and change‑management oversight.
• Build proactive input and leading metrics, and design workflows and systems that support menu expansion and personalization without relying on tribal knowledge.
• Partner with Logistics to strengthen 'perfect delivery' execution and influence leaders through coaching, standard‑work audits, and routine‑based capability building.

Profile

• MUST BE OPEN TO RELOCATION ANYWHERE IN THE US
• Strong grounding in Lean, process optimization, analytical problem solving, project management, and cross‑functional influence.
• Highly adaptable, data‑driven, financially minded, and able to prioritize among competing issues while implementing processes that stick.
• Open industry background; food or beverage helpful but not required.
• Career trajectory showing versatility or accelerated growth; experienced but not overly senior.
• Hybrid schedule (2-3 days onsite)

Job Offer

• Competitive annual salary between $165,000 and $180,000.
• Equity options and 401(k) retirement plan available (no match).
• Unlimited PTO
• Collaborative and innovative company culture focused on driving results.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.