Associate Director - Strategic Operations (Manufacturing)

Who We Are

Spot & Tango is an innovative pet health & wellness brand that delivers personalized meal plans on a subscription basis. Our recipes are developed by leading animal nutritionists, and are made with only real, human-grade ingredients... and nothing artificial! We have lofty goals (to make every dog in the country healthier, and every pet parent happier!) and we are looking for the right people to help us get there. This is an exciting opportunity to join a VC-backed, high-growth, e-commerce startup and have an outsized impact in an extremely fast-paced environment. Plus, you get to think about dogs all day!

Who You Are

You are an exceptional problem solver with deep experience in operations, manufacturing, process optimization, operations consulting, or a related field. You are a self starter who is able to work independently to drive strategic projects from ideation through implementation. You have extensive knowledge of process and equipment optimization. You are curious – you question the status quo, and are always looking for new & creative solutions to problems. You can think on your feet, and aren't afraid to tackle challenges you've never faced before. You are comfortable in a manufacturing environment and are excited to be hands-on (working with production staff, mapping process flows on the floor, calibrating equipment, etc.) when necessary to drive results. You are an effective and highly organized project manager, who can work cross-functionally to bring the company's strategic visions to life. You are an expert in Excel, and can conduct a variety of ad-hoc analyses (regressions, ROI calculations, shift pattern analyses, etc.) quickly and effectively. You are an outstanding communicator and are able to communicate effectively with hourly operators and also synthesize complex ideas for senior executives and investors. You are excited to work in a fast-paced startup environment, where you will have an outsized influence on optimizing processes, reducing costs, and defining systems and protocols for our rapidly-scaling Allentown facility.

This role will have very high visibility across the organization; you will regularly present your findings to, and collaborate with senior plant and company leadership, including the CEO and COO.

Responsibilities

• Own continuous improvement for processes, quality, and cost at our Allentown manufacturing facility
• Analyze production and financial data to identify opportunities for optimization, cost reduction, increased throughput, and waste reduction
• Own the strategic roadmap for the plant, based on identified areas of opportunity
• Design and implement new processes, equipment, and labor models to improve product quality, safety, and production efficiency
• Travel to our manufacturing facility in Allentown, PA on a regular basis
• Evaluate ROI of capital investment opportunities, negotiate with vendors, consider implications on operating model, and ensure successful implementation
• Develop and track key performance indicators to track efficiency, quality, and safety as well as impact of implemented initiatives
• Present opportunities, solutions, and KPIs to key stakeholders across the organization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, CX, Strategy, Quality, and Maintenance to deliver on strategic initiatives and ensure successful process integration
• Develop and maintain process documentation including standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process flow diagrams
• Lead the ideation, design, and start-up of new production lines and equipment
• Design and run experiments and analyses to optimize equipment and processes
• Provide technical support to production personnel to troubleshoot process issues and ensure consistent product quality
• Identify and mitigate process risks related to safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance
• Conduct process audits to ensure compliance with internal and external standards

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or a related quantitative field (preferred)
• 3-5 years of experience at a top-tier strategy consulting firm, or in manufacturing / operations in a strategic, ops excellence, or process optimization role
• Experience working in manufacturing, operational excellence, logistics, and/or process optimization strongly preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment
• Expert proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience building models + conducting analyses, then synthesizing findings and making recommendations in clear and concise presentations
• Ability to synthesize complex problems and communicate with senior leaders
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Enthusiastic about diving into manufacturing processes and engineering principles

Nice to have:

• Other relevant certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean, or Project Management may be beneficial
• Knowledge of process control systems and instrumentation
• Experience in CPG manufacturing companies
• Dog lovers a plus!