The Manager, Contract Manufacturing will be responsible for the management of key relationships, the exploration of industry capabilities, a leader of start-up/innovation processes, and will support ongoing relationships with Contract Manufacturers for High Liner Foods.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong business acumen, the capability to adapt to changing situations, the ability to build strong internal and external relationships, understanding of product development and operational best practices in the food industry, and a person who can influence, guide, and engage a variety of stakeholders.

Essential Duties and responsibilities

• Negotiate and ensure compliance with Contract Manufacturing contracts including cost reduction processes, capacity management, formulation controls, auditing compliance, financial requirements and other functional aspects related to contracting.
• Lead Innovation purchasing strategies in line with product development and corporate initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency; reduce total cost of supply chain management.
• Understand should-cost and cost -drivers, including short-and-long-term impacts.
• Build and strengthen cross functional relationships between suppliers and internal process partners to foster trust.
• Be knowledgeable of the internal Stage Gate processes needed to bring products through commercialization and lead the Contract Manufacturing elements of the process within targeted project timelines, costs and specifications.
• Establish and maintain measurable performance metrics for key activities including supplier performance, supplier quality, order fulfillment, and financial (AP) performance; Measure progress and develop corrective actions as needed. Additional measures may be necessary for contract manufacturing partners, including food safety and customer service.
• Work with the Legal Department on contract creation/management and with audit and other process partners to manage risk; Mitigate risk along the value chain, including raw materials/ingredients, packaging, inventory, and logistics.
• Manage, mentor, and collaborate with a dynamic and diverse team of professionals.
• Ensure suppliers comply with High Liner Foods’ Supplier Code of Conduct.
• Aid in the development and execution of daily tactical activities such as inventory management, quality and service improvement, internal/external communications, and other supply chain management functions.
• Analyze manufacturing best practices and encourage suppliers to implement these practices.
• Identify operational savings at supplier facilities; ensure savings are tracked and that initiatives meet the profit plan and overall business objectives.
• Development & Improvement of Contract Manufacturing Management Practices
• Performs market analysis, leverages benchmarks (internal/external), supplier segmentation, trends in technology, should cost modeling.
• Represent Contract Manufacturing at various functional and company-wide initiatives.

Qualifications

• University degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, and/or Operations Management, or equivalent business experience.

• Significant experience in food-related manufacturing and contract manufacturing with diverse experience in operations, engineering, purchasing, strategic sourcing, and/or quality assurance, preferably in a strategic role in a mid- to large-size food manufacturer.

• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, and supply markets for frozen and ready-to-eat products, ingredients, packaging components, CAPEX, and associated commodities.

• Experience in all aspects of contract manufacturing, including ideation, product development, supplier identification, supplier development, product launch, and business planning.

• Good understanding of quality management principles (such as Good Manufacturing Principles), continuous improvement methodologies (such as Lean & Six Sigma), regulatory requirements (such as FDA, SQF, BRC, AIB), and industry best practices in relevant CPG sectors (frozen food manufacturing a plus).

• Solid track record managing third-party partners including contract manufacturing and/or co-packing.

• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, methods, practices, and techniques, including negotiating contracts, MSAs, SLAs, etc.; previous experience purchasing IT, marketing, and corporate services a plus.

• Proven leadership abilities with experience in managing and developing teams, fostering collaboration, and delivering performance excellence in a cross-functional environment.

• Ability to coordinate multiple group efforts within the company to achieve objectives, including substantial reductions in material cost targets.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks, with awareness of deadlines.

• Ability to identify processes needing improvement, and to recommend improvements.

Additional Requirements

• Strong entrepreneurial drive, a business development mindset, and passion to succeed.

• Hands-on mentality, proven ability to work independently within a structured process, with self-motivation.

• Strong attention to detail and managing cross functional projects.

• Solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.

• Excellent teamwork and team-building skills.

• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including planning, marketing, product development, seafood procurement, operations, quality assurance, and food safety.

• Knowledge of cost analysis, fiscal management, and budgeting techniques.

• Familiarity with P&L management.

• Strong problem identification and problem resolution skills.

• Strong general management skills, including presentation, strategic thinking, negotiating, organization, financial, analytical, and management.

• Previous experience with ERP and Planning tools; solid computer skills with focus on Excel, PowerPoint, Word

• Ability & Willingness to travel globally. Expected travel for this role, 20-25%

Direct reports

• No direct reports