Simple Mills

Manager, Contract Manufacturing

Simple Mills

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Chicago • Illinois • United States

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Salary

💰 $105,000 - $120,000 per year

About the role

  • Manage business relationships with existing and new Crackers co-mans
  • Work hands-on with co-mans, R&D, Quality Assurance, and broader Operations team to ensure day-to-day issues are solved or escalated
  • Lead weekly cross-functional discussions with co-man and Operations teams to drive accountability, focus and continuous improvement
  • Drive supplier performance through KPI tracking and lead co-man quarterly business reviews
  • Negotiate one-off expenses with comans within contract terms
  • Continuously develop and improve processes and best practices
  • Write purchase orders for R&D trial expenses, capital projects; manage spend to annual budgets
  • Support Simple Mills’ strategic initiatives to support growth and manage costs
  • Support Innovation & Brand Renovation project teams and attend trials; up to 35% travel required
  • Identify and lead manufacturing and continuous improvement projects, such as moving product lines between co-mans, to manage costs and capacity
  • Support sourcing new co-mans to expand capacity and innovation platforms, aligned with Simple Mills’ growth strategy
  • Partner with director, Ops and Legal teams to craft and negotiate contracts with new and existing co-mans that support and protect the business, as well as convey expectations, low costs, superior services, and promote strong relationships
  • Perform other projects as assigned

Requirements

  • Minimum 3 years experience in Contract Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Operations and/or Supply Chain, preferably in a Food and Beverage CPG company
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Collaborative, with the ability to effectively work and build strong relationships internally and externally
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. Ability to have supportive but candid conversations with leaders of all levels and the ability to communicate and build alignment across the organization.
  • Self-directed and results focused. Bias toward action, able to synthesize information and act decisively. Strong sense of urgency and ownership of resolution. Ability to prioritize and manage deadlines.
  • A personal connection to the Simple Mills mission and a fervent desire to improve the food system to help people and the planet thrive.
Benefits
  • Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $105,000 to $120,000
  • Annual Bonus Opportunity: Eligible for an annual bonus as part of our commitment to recognizing team contributions and company success.
  • Holistic Benefits: A variety of health, financial, and wellness programs to help you feel your best and plan for the future.
  • Time to Recharge: We believe your best work comes when you have space to rest, refocus, and show up fully—our time off approach is built with that in mind.
  • Everyday Well-Being: From lifestyle perks to innovation shipments, we find meaningful ways to support you in living simply and feeling well.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
Contract ManufacturingManufacturingOperationsSupply ChainKPI trackingProcess improvementBudget managementNegotiationProject managementContinuous improvement
Soft Skills
CollaborationLeadershipInterpersonal skillsCommunicationSelf-directedResults focusedDecision makingPrioritizationDeadline managementRelationship building
Certifications
Bachelor's degree