VP of Operations

About this role

Job title: VP of Operations

Location: Glendale Heights, IL must be based in IL, within a 1-2 hr drive to/from Glendale Heights

Reports to: CEO

Job type: Full-time

Overview:

NSI is a leading player in the natural private label food industry, dedicated to providing high-quality, organic, and sustainably sourced food products to consumers. We are focused on building a high-performing, scalable operation that can support continued business growth. As we continue to expand, we are looking for a strategic and hands-on VP of Operations to lead our operations and help take our manufacturing and logistics network to the next level.

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who combines operational excellence, strong leadership, commercial instincts, data-driven decision-making, and a passion for building scalable systems and partnerships.

Mission:

The VP of Operations will lead and scale NSI's operations by ensuring we operate better today while building the capabilities and network required for tomorrow's growth. The role has a dual focus:

• Optimize and transform our existing operations through stronger planning, forecasting, inventory management, systems, processes, data, and performance management.
• Develop and scale our manufacturing network by strengthening existing partnerships, developing new co-packers and co-manufacturers, and building strategic 3PL and operational partnerships.

Key objectives:

• Planning & Forecasting: Develop and lead a strong S&OP and planning process that improves demand visibility, capacity planning, inventory management, and operational decision-making.
• Operational Performance: Improve OTIF, service levels, quality, food safety, reliability, and overall operational execution.
• Operational Margin: Own the Operations P&L and identify opportunities to improve operational margins, control costs, and prevent unnecessary cost increases.
• Manufacturing Network: Diversify, strengthen, and scale NSI's U.S. co-packer and co-manufacturing network to support growth, improve reliability, and reduce operational risk.
• Logistics Network: Develop and optimize the U.S. 3PL and logistics network to improve service, capacity, flexibility, and cost competitiveness.
• Inventory: Improve inventory planning and management to balance customer service, working capital, supply continuity, and operational efficiency.
• Systems, Data & Automation: Transform how Operations uses data, technology, automation, and AI to improve visibility, efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Organization & Leadership: Build a high-performing Operations organization with clear ownership, accountability, and the capabilities needed to support NSI's growth.

Key responsibilities

• Planning, Forecasting & Operational Excellence
• Lead S&OP, demand forecasting, capacity planning, inventory, and operational performance.
• Drive improvements in OTIF, service levels, quality, efficiency, and operational margins.
• Manufacturing Network Development
• Build, strengthen, and diversify NSI’s U.S. co-packer and co-manufacturing network.
• Develop strategic partnerships and negotiate agreements that support capacity, quality, service, scalability, and cost competitiveness.
• Logistics & Strategic Partnerships
• Develop and optimize NSI’s U.S. 3PL and logistics network.
• Build strong partner relationships while ensuring performance, reliability, scalability, and competitive commercial terms.
• Systems, Data, Automation & AI
• Modernize operations through better systems, data visibility, reporting, automation, and AI.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards that enable faster, data-driven decision-making.
• Quality & Food Safety
• Partner with Quality to maintain strong food safety, quality, and operational standards across the manufacturing network.
• Ensure partners consistently meet NSI requirements and performance expectations.
• Team Leadership & Culture
• Lead and develop a high-performing Operations organization with clear accountability and ownership.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and execution.
• Executive Partnership
• Partner closely with the CEO and executive team to translate company strategy into operational priorities.
• Challenge assumptions, identify opportunities, and bring solutions that support NSI’s growth.
• The ideal candidate will have:
• 15+ years of relevant experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field.
• Significant experience managing a complex network of U.S. food manufacturing facilities, co-packers, co-manufacturers, and/or strategic manufacturing partners.
• Experience managing a large network; experience with 50+ facilities or partners is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing and food safety.
• Proven experience leading S&OP, demand planning, forecasting, capacity planning, inventory planning, production, and logistics.
• Experience with ERP, MRP, MPS, or similar planning and operational systems.
• Demonstrated experience implementing systems, dashboards, reporting, automation, or data infrastructure.
• Experience applying AI, automation, or advanced technology to Operations is highly valued.
• Strong contract and commercial negotiation experience, particularly with third party manufacturers.
• Proven ability to build and manage strategic third-party manufacturing relationships.
• Experience owning or significantly influencing an Operations P&L and improving operational margins is highly desirable.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25–30% of the time.
• Work environment:
• Illinois-based remote role. Candidates must reside in Illinois and be able to work remotely, with regular travel to NSI’s offices for in-person team collaboration, leadership meetings, strategic planning, and other business needs.
• Travel of approximately 25–30% is required to visit co-packing/co-manufacturing partners, 3PLs, industry partners, and other operational sites.
• NSI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
• Please direct all recruiting and candidate inquiries to HR@nsi-grp.com.
• Contacting other team members or departments will result in your message not being reviewed.