This role provides an opportunity to work within the key product area at a fast growing DTC startup. The Food Manufacturing & Commercialization Lead will oversee all co-manufacturing relationships, and influence the food production strategy within Smalls.

Working within a data-focused culture, you will identify all the key levers to optimize food production while solving for a best in class customer experience. You will roll up your sleeves and work closely with our manufacturing partners to solve issues and scale up new products so that they can be manufactured reliably, within a business-friendly cost structure, and with minimal quality complaints.

What you’ll do:

• Own co-manufacturer relationships, and hold them accountable to key metrics that impact our ability to serve the customer
• As new products are identified within the portfolio, act as a stakeholder in the co-manufacturer selection process, and ensure that all new products are positioned to scale efficiently
• Develop the production schedule in conjunction with the Supply Chain Planning & Analytics Lead, and triage any production schedule changes with both the co-manufacturer and the Smalls Supply Chain team
• Identify optimization levers that will reduce production costs and implement approved changes with co-manufacturer partners
• Coordinate with Replenishment lead on pipeline POs and ensure timely transfer of product from the co-manufacturer to our 3PLs

What we'll love about you:

• You have 10-12 years of experience working within a food manufacturing role
• You have a deep understanding of food manufacturing levers that unlock margin, and the ability to drive manufacturing process improvements
• You demonstrable experience leading and collaborating with co-manufacturing partners, and scaling up new products from bench top samples to large-scale distribution
• You are a strong, proactive communicator
• You have strong problem solving skills and the ability to conduct analyses to drive decision making

What you'll love about us:

• Mission-driven Company: highly motivated by cat health.
• People-driven Company: we work hard but also deeply care about mental health and burnout.
• Data-driven Culture: we do not make decisions without consulting the data.
• Competitive Salary: make some $$$
• Competitive benefits: Fully paid Health, Vision, Dental insurance options
• Fully Remote Office and Culture: our team is located across all four US time zones.
• Free Product: Free Cat Food every month.