Description

This is a high-impact, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership role.

The General Manager will oversee high-level operations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and profitability. With the VP of Operations and the VP of Quality Control reporting directly to the GM, the candidate must excel in strategic oversight, team leadership, and cross-functional coordination rather than day-to-day tactical execution. They will  be responsible for overseeing all facets of the business, with direct accountability for plant operations, finance, compliance, team leadership, and business development. The ideal candidate should have financial and analytical skills, where they can analyze financial reports, manage budgets (COGS) and deliver results through resource allocation to improve financial performance. The ideal candidate should have prior experience as a knowledgeable operator with knowledge of machinery, products, and food process manufacturing with a strong background in pet food or food manufacturing, who also brings robust financial acumen and a proven ability to grow and scale manufacturing operations in a contract environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day, hands-on leadership across production, quality, supply chain, warehousing, and administrative functions.
• Own full P&L responsibility — develop budgets, manage costs, monitor performance metrics, and drive profitability.
• Lead efforts to acquire and onboard new clients, contributing directly to revenue growth and customer diversification.
• Champion a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.
• Ensure full compliance with all pet food manufacturing regulations, including FDA, AAFCO, FSMA, SQF, and customer-specific standards.
• Work closely with quality, R&D, and production teams to support product launches, reformulations, and line extensions.
• Drive strategic capital investments, including line upgrades and facility enhancements aligned with growth plans.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing management team with a focus on leadership development and retention.
• Report to COO with detailed financial and operational performance updates on a regular basis.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience in pet food, human food, or related regulated manufacturing.
• Demonstrated hands-on operational leadership — visible on the floor, problem-solving in real time, and actively engaging with teams.
• Proven success managing P&L for businesses in the $30M–$100M+ range.
• Strong background in financial reporting, forecasting, cost control, and EBITDA growth strategies.
• Experience working in contract manufacturing (B2B) environments is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of food safety standards, pet food knowledge is preferred, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment undergoing rapid growth.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or finance/accounting background is a significant advantage.
• Experience with ERP systems, production analytics, and operational KPIs.

Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in manufactured cost routing, product costing, and capturing scrap and hidden costs of manufacturing to drive financial performance. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making. 
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities, with experience managing senior-level direct reports. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate across departments and with external partners. 
• Be able to read, write and clearly communicate English. 

Attributes

Strategic thinker, results-oriented, adaptable, and committed to fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in human food or animal nutrition manufacturing.  
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies.  
• Prior success in scaling operations to meet growing market demand.
• Experience in SAP, SAP Business One, ERP Batching software, BatchMaster or equivalent.

Physical Requirements

• Office-based and Plant-based work involves sitting, standing, walking, using a computer and telephone, and other office equipment.
• Works under regular office, laboratory, and manufacturing conditions.
• GMP/PPE required for plant and warehouse: hair nets, earplugs, bump caps, and safety shoes.
• Normal laboratory and manufacturing temperature conditions may vary from cool to very warm.  There can be exposure to potentially toxic substances and unpleasant fumes or odors.