JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a highly effective, data driven, results oriented Operational Excellence Manager to join our team. This role will serve as a key enabler of manufacturing performance across our external co-manufacturing network. The position will work closely with our co-packers throughout the U.S., spending most of the time on-site to help elevate their operational capabilities, drive consistency, and instill lean manufacturing disciplines.

The Operational Excellence Manager will be responsible for identifying performance gaps, improving throughput and yields, reducing waste, supporting plant readiness for new product launches, and championing best-in-class practices in manufacturing, labor efficiency, and equipment utilization. This individual will serve as a coach, trainer, and hands-on partner to site leadership, with the goal of helping every partner reach “gold standard” performance in service of our brand.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with co-packer leadership teams to drive improvements in labor efficiency, line performance, throughput, and waste reduction through data-driven operational strategies
• Conduct operational assessments to identify bottlenecks, skill gaps, equipment limitations, and process inefficiencies
• Partner with sites to build and execute corrective action plans with clear metrics, timelines, and ownership
• Provide on-site coaching and training in lean principles, Lean, 5S, SMED/changeover reduction, and other CI tools
• Support manufacturing readiness for product start-ups, volume ramp-ups, and new site onboarding
• Evaluate and strengthen site adherence to standard operating procedures, performance tracking, and daily management systems (OEE, yields, downtime, etc.)
• Lead best practice identification across the network and implement at each site
• Work cross-functionally with Quality, CI, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure alignment on goals, expectations, and execution
• Develop and maintain tools, playbooks, and audit formats to enable a consistent approach to operational excellence across all sites
• Influence and support investment decisions in people, process, and equipment needed to elevate site performance

JOB QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience in manufacturing operations or CI
• 5+ years of progressive experience in food or beverage manufacturing, ideally including time spent in CI, Ops Excellence, or Plant Leadership

• Experience working directly with or managing co-manufacturing relationships highly preferred
• Strong command of lean manufacturing, TPM, and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Hands-on experience improving line performance, labor efficiency, and reducing waste in a plant environment
• Experience launching or supporting new manufacturing sites or lines a strong plus
• High comfort level with performance data: OEE, yield, throughput, downtime, labor tracking, etc.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence without direct authority
• Travel up to 50%+ to support our national co-manufacturing network

About Good Culture:

We believe that if you eat good things, and surround yourself with good, you’ll feel good. Simple as that. That’s why we decided to create a food company that offers real organic ingredients from trusted sources, promotes good health and tastes great. Our mission is to reinvent the food system, from the (actual) ground up. We are a cultured dairy company that currently makes pasture-raised cottage cheese, probiotic rich sour cream, cream cheese and probiotic milk. We’re on the look for some cultured healers!

Good Culture is an equal opportunity employer. At Good Culture we also believe a great culture fosters and values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We seek individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this position. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Good Culture is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.