Operations Director

The Company:
Birdman is the leading plant-based supplements and food company in Mexico. We're dedicated to delivering delicious, nutritious, and environmentally friendly products. As we experience exponential growth and expand into over 8 countries, we seek the brightest and most talented individuals to join our team.

As a fully integrated company, we handle everything from R&D to manufacturing in-house, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards.

We operate like a startup—fast-paced, collaborative, and driven by a desire to make a difference. We’re looking for team members who are passionate, ambitious, and eager to contribute to a shared success story. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are ready to take on new challenges, we want to hear from you.

Help us advance our mission to make a positive impact on people's lives and the planet, and come build the next unicorn with us! 🌱🚀🦅

The Role:
We’re seeking an experienced Director of Operations to oversee and lead our entire operations function. You’ll be responsible for managing our Supply Chain (Purchasing, Trade, Logistics, Warehousing), Manufacturing (Manufacturing, Maintenance, Continuous Improvement, Engineering), Quality (Assurance, Control and Regulatory Compliance), Facilities (Plant Managment, EHS, Services), and R&D operations, as well as ERP and systems management (digital transformation). This role is crucial to ensuring that our operations run smoothly and efficiently, allowing us to continue to innovate and grow. All in all you will be responsible of the Manufacturing Filial as if it were an independent company with P&L responsability.

The Ideal Candidate:
You are a visionary leader with exceptional analytical and strategic skills, deeply experienced in Operations within the pharmaceutical, supplements, and food industries. Your expertise extends beyond just managing teams; you function as an intrapreneur, capable of building projects from scratch or elevating them to levels of excellence, not merely maintaining the status quo. This means you are a hands-on leader, known for directly engaging in projects, diving into the details, and leading from the front.

With a proven track record of at least 3 years as an Operations Director within a company recognized for best practices in Productivity and Quality, you have demonstrated your ability to craft and execute innovative strategies. You are equally passionate about mentoring and elevating your team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. You thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are excited about the opportunity to propel our operations to new global heights.

Key Responsabilities:

• Supply Chain: Oversee the full supply chain process, from purchasing to international trade, logistics, and warehouse operations. Ensure that all materials and products move efficiently through the pipeline to meet production and customer demands. Own, control, and optimize: Standard Cost, Landing Cost, Materials Coverage, Inventory DOH, Inventory Carrying Costs, Fill Rate, Supply Risk, among other key indicators.
• Manufacturing: Lead our manufacturing teams to optimize processes, drive efficiency, and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products. You will be responsible for the company’s ability to supply budgeted product production, either through in-house operations or co-packing agreements when they make sense, at the best quality, cost, and efficiency possible. Work closely with R&D to integrate new products and technologies into production seamlessly. Own, control, and optimize: Production Capacity, Capacity Utilization, OEE, OLE, Line Efficiency, Manufacturing Indirect Costs, RFT Yield, Scrap %. Additionally, related to maintenance: MTBF, MTTR, PMP, PMC, Downtime Due to Maintenance, and Safety Measures: Incident Rate, Near Miss Rate.
• Quality Assurance and Control: Maintain our rigorous quality standards, ensuring compliance with all industry regulations and internal benchmarks. Implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance product quality and operational efficiency. Renew (USDA Organic, Kosher, Halal, Mexico Orgánico, COFEPRIS GMP, FDA FSMA, FSSC 22000 Intermediate) and obtain additional quality systems certifications (Full FSSC 22000, Invima GMP, Sports Check, etc.).
• Facilities Management: Manage all aspects of our facilities, including maintenance, EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety), and services. Ensure that our sites are safe, compliant, and operating at peak efficiency.
• R&D Collaboration: Partner with R&D to support new product development, scale-up processes, and technology transfers. Ensure alignment between R&D and manufacturing for successful product launches.
• ERP & Systems: Manage and optimize our ERP systems and other operational tools to improve visibility, control, and decision-making across all operational areas, promoting a culture of digital transformation.
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing operations team. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Financial Management: Develop and manage the operations budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources across all departments. Monitor financial performance and implement strategies to improve profitability. Key Indicators: Budget adherence, cost savings initiatives, operating margin, return on assets (ROA), and capital expenditure (CapEx) management.
• Human Resources for Blue-Collar Workforce: Oversee the recruitment, training, and development of the blue-collar workforce. Ensure compliance with labor laws and maintain a positive work environment that encourages productivity and retention. Key Indicators: Workforce turnover rate, training completion rates, labor compliance, employee satisfaction scores, and absenteeism rates.

Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• An advanced degree, such as an MBA, is highly desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in operations management within the pharmaceutical, dietary supplements, or food industries, preferably at a company known for its leadership in quality and productivity. Having achieved great indicators and/or KPI surges within productivity, quality, output and fil-rate.
• Proven track record of at least 3 years as an Operations Director or in a similar leadership role, with a focus on best practices in productivity and quality.
• Extensive experience in managing supply chain, manufacturing, quality assurance, facilities, and systems within a high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in budget development, financial management, and cost optimization strategies.

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of key manufacturing metrics such as OEE, OLE, Capacity Utilization, Standard Cost, and Inventory DOH.
• Deep understanding of key supply metrics such as Landing Cost, Fill Rate, Inventory Carrying Costs, and Inventory Turnover.
• Deep understanding of Facilities and Engineering Management, with experience setting up facilities in regulated environments and knowledge of machinery, suppliers, and line optimization and automation strategies.
• Strong knowledge of quality systems and certifications, including USDA Organic, Kosher, Halal, COFEPRIS GMP, FDA FSMA, and FSSC 22000.
• Proficiency in technical tools and a mindset to digitize processes and projects.

Leadership:

• Proven ability to build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience managing a blue-collar workforce, including recruitment, training, and compliance with labor laws.

Cultural Fit:

• Intrapreneurial mindset with tangible examples of consistently setting the bar higher, striving for excellence, and taking ownership of the function he/she leads.

At Birdman, we’re not just building a company—we’re building a success story. When you join our team, you’ll be surrounded by high achievers who are passionate about making a positive impact on the world. Here’s what you can expect:

• Competitive Salary: Recognizing and rewarding your expertise.
• Health Coverage: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans.
• Growth Opportunities: Endless opportunities to learn and advance your career alongside a team of top performers.
• Innovative Environment: Thrive in a dynamic, startup-like culture where your contributions are valued and you can make a real impact.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with a motivated, high-achieving team that’s as committed to excellence as you are.
• Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of a company that’s dedicated to creating products that promote health, wellness, and sustainability.
• Employee Discounts: Enjoy discounts on Birdman’s premium health products.

Join Birdman, and be part of a journey that’s making a difference in the world while propelling your career to new heights.