SVP Operations (CPG Private Label)

SVP Operations (CPG Private Label)

EXECUTIVE SEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT      

SVP OPERATIONS

Our client is a privately equity owned, rapidly growing, best-in-class turn-key contract and private label manufacturer of fast-moving consumer packaged goods in the health/personal care and household products. With excellent organic growth, that’s accelerating, this is an exciting time in the company’s history. We seek a growth-oriented operations leader that will help lead the organization’s aggressive contract manufacturing and private label growth strategy.

Promoting cross-functional collaboration, customer communication & excellence in service, flexibility & adaptability, and a five-year 2x growth plan, with an organic and inorganic value creation plan, we seek a strategic, but very hands-on, execution driven SVP Operations to lead our client’s manufacturing centric end-to-end product supply functions.

Our client has a strong track record of profitability and superior client retention while generating revenues of ~$200M annually with net sales growth at >50% CAGR and an excellent EBITDA margin, both of which we plan to accelerate. The SVP Operations will be expected to play an instrumental role and make a significant contribution personally, and through an all “A” player product supply (manufacturing, supply chain, procurement) team, delivering and enabling collaboratively in partnership with others, including the rest of the executive team and best in class board in guiding the PE-owned organizations strategy and equally as important execution toward continued success and an aggressive commercial and EBITDA growth supported by investment and optimizing all aspects of 80/20 principals (just because you can make it doesn’t mean you should.)

The objective of the SVP Operations is to serve as a trusted partner to the Chief Executive Officer to effectively assess, continuously evaluate, plan and execute against the company’s operating plans, talent development goals, and aggressive growth objectives. Overseeing the multi-site operation, he/she is expected to ensure the overall effectiveness of the company’s operations; focusing on revenue growth, cost savings, quality improvement, and maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Title:             SVP Operations (manufacturing, supply chain/logistics, procurement)  (JH21626) 

Reports to:  CEO

Location:     Wisconsin

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Position Summary

The SVP Operations will be a key contributor to corporate strategies supporting robust growth objectives over the next several years. This role will hold responsibility for leading all operational and technical aspects of the organization focused on Manufacturing (Processing, Packaging, Engineering, Maintenance), Supply (Procurement, Forecasting/MRP, Master Scheduling, Customer Service, Supply & Demand Planning, S&OP, and Warehousing (Inventory).

The appropriate candidate will serve as an influential leader and strategic business partner for the company, which is now under the guidance of a top-flight PE firm with an exceptional track record with mid-market companies. He/she will lead by engaging, coaching and developing an energetic team of ~400; ensuring all programs & priorities are aligned to drive improved capabilities, end-to-end supply harmonization, competitive customer service deliverables & industry best practices.

The SVP Operations must possess the ability to build his/her team towards continued functional excellence, but also to collaborate exceptionally well in a small, dedicated, hand-on, cross-functional leadership team focused on results, accountability and team-development. The incumbent will be expected to instill a fast-growth mindset, and building a high performance culture.

He/she must have experience in a high-SKU/high-volume CPG environment and customer facing to ensure the customer service/sales, supply, manufacturing and technical organizations continue to operate as valuedSVP Operations will serve as an inspirational & influential leader; infusing the organization with new thinking, adaptability, and improved ways of operating, while providing a sustainable & competitive advantage for the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

♦ Initiate key strategic initiatives across the non-union sites to continually improve working capital utilization and operating cash flow. Focus areas of opportunity include leading manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, supply, and contributing to sales objectives.

♦ Assess available data and establish key metrics to measure success including: Supplier Performance Management (Quality, Cost, Delivery, Service), Manufacturing Metrics (OEE, Throughput, Capacity Utilization, Rejects, Production Attainment, Downtime to Operating Time, Rate of NPI, Changeover Time, Manufacturing Cost Ratios), Supply Objectives (WIP Inventory & Turns, MRP, Customer Fill Rate/On-Time delivery/Perfect Order Percentage, Inventory Management, Customer Service), and other key metrics and SMART goals (EBIDTA, CAGR, Market Share, ROI, Target Achievement.)

♦  Develop strategic plans to drive step change improvements in areas of opportunity within the company’s inventory portfolio, and in meeting/exceeding customers’ needs for improved communication, quick turns & on-time delivery related to promotional products, year-round products, new product launches, and seasonal demands.

♦  Continuously develop costing and timelines for RFPs, maintaining customer service levels and interfacing with customers as needed, while overseeing items quoted though turnkey partners. • Effectively utilize financial statements, sales and activity reports, along with other available performance data to identify areas for cost savings, increased efficiencies and capacity, and new areas of revenue generation.

♦  Backstop manufacturing and technical (R&D, Quality, Product Development) team members on challenges or issues providing the necessary resources or support as required.

♦  Represent the organization in key customer meetings providing insight into the overall supply and technical capabilities as it relates to innovation, delivering finished products, and in identifying new ways to better serve customers.

♦  Benchmark and establish targets for forecast accuracy, inventory turns, inventory obsolescence and monitoring results to ensure targets are met/exceeded.

♦  Establish and implement short- and long-term objectives, initiatives, procedures and policies in collaboration with the CEO & Board’s objectives.

♦  Partner with the commercial group to develop annual sales forecast and growth strategies, incorporating these into operational plans, initiatives and objectives.

♦  Assess and implement global sourcing strategies focused on meeting quality, financial and timeline objectives.

♦  Create and maintain an environment focused on development, training & growth. Ensure reports have active growth plans and are coached to strengthen developmental areas of opportunity, while also ensuring his/her own succession/growth.

♦  Lead the transition from a entrepreneur led culture, to a more progressive and inclusive environment under the new PE leadership committed to taking the company from good to great.

♦  Adhere to the company’s values regarding loyalty, transparency, inclusiveness, meritocracy and collaboration in daily activities, interactions and communications.

Ideal Experience

♦ 10+ years of progressive leadership roles within Operations and Product Supply in a CM/CPG/FMCG industry. FMCG is required, Personal Care Contract Manufacturing and/or Private Label experience is preferred.

♦ Experience in a High Volume, High SKU, Fast Moving Regulatory Environment. Customer Interfacing required.

♦ Track record of Strategy Setting & Deployment, Change Management, & Large-Scale Time-Compressed Growth Projects.

♦ Ability to work in a growing, entrepreneurial, and small- to mid-sized organization poised for significant growth.

♦ Proven growth & cultural awareness in fast-moving organizations. Upwardly mobile, self-driven, adaptive leadership style.

♦ BS in Engineering, Business, or Operations related field. MS/MBA, ISM, APICs & major ERP preferred.

♦ Key Competencies: leadership & development, impact focused, adaptability, project management, strong influencing skills, and high-level communication/negotiation/problem solving.

♦ Experience at working in a “performance based” environment and fostering it within the team.

♦ Technical Aptitude – Ability to comprehend complex technical topics and specialized information.

♦ Working Under Pressure – Ability to deliver against set objectives while operating on some occasions in stressful situations.

♦ Agility – Ability to deal with shifting priorities and issues inherent to a fast-growing private organization.

♦ Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of business plans and strategies.

♦ Experience in dealing with issues on an international basis: understanding of the North American and international landscape.

♦ Interpersonal Communications - Demonstrated skills in both written and oral presentations.

♦ People Management - Ability to build, manage and develop high performance sales organization.

♦ Experienced at managing diverse and geographically remote teams.

♦ Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational and personal negotiation skills.

♦ Capacity to conceptualize as well as operationalize commercial strategies.

♦ Ability to efficiently interact with board members. Executive gravitas and presence.

Client Project Leads

If you or anyone you know feel qualified and meet the requirements outlined in this executive summary, please contact Joe Hunt joehunt@huntsearch.com, Cyndi Johnson cjohnson@huntsearch.com or your search consultant.