Director of Production Operations
4 days ago
Richmond
Director of Production Operations – Fresh Cut & Value-Added Products Location: Virginia Salary: $110,000 – $135,000 (based on experience) A leading Mid-Atlantic food distributor is launching a Fresh Cut & Value-Added Products division and seeking an experienced Director of Production Operations to build and lead the program from the ground up. This role combines hands-on production management with strategic leadership—you’ll design workflows, manage daily operations, and drive innovation for retail-ready produce and prepared food items like salads, parfaits, fruit cups, and snack boxes. Key Responsibilities • Lead daily operations for fresh cut and value-added product lines., • Develop and optimize production schedules for a 7-day operation., • Build and track KPIs for efficiency, yield, and labor performance., • Oversee quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance (HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA)., • Direct R&D for new product development, packaging, and labeling., • Recruit, train, and manage production supervisors and leads., • 7–12 years in food production or fresh cut operations, with 3+ years in leadership., • Proven experience launching or scaling ready-to-eat or value-added products., • Strong background in production planning, process optimization, and data analytics., • Knowledge of food safety, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement., • Build a new division within a stable, established company., • Career growth and long-term leadership opportunity., • Competitive pay, relocation support, and performance-based potential.