Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces
Contract Manufacturing Manager
Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces, Walnut Creek, California, United States, 94598
Overview
Contract Manufacturing Manager
at
Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces Base pay range:
$120,000.00/yr - $140,000.00/yr Kinder’s has evolved from a regional shop into a growth-focused flavor-forward food company. We are privately held and founder-led, committed to building a modern brand with real value for consumers and partners. We value curiosity, authenticity, bold decision-making, and scalable systems that allow people to thrive.
How you’ll have an impact
As
Co-Manufacturing Manager , you will manage key relationships with co-manufacturing partners to support the production of Kinder’s premium products. You’ll serve as the daily liaison between Kinder’s and our co-manufacturers, ensuring quality production, reliable supply, and strong vendor performance. You’ll work cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Supply Planning, and Commercialization to optimize operations, resolve supply issues, and implement process improvements that support Kinder’s rapid growth. What you'll be doing
Manage co-manufacturing relationships
to ensure daily performance on quality, supply, and cost aligned to expectations. Lead regular performance reviews
(monthly/quarterly) with vendors using scorecards and KPIs to drive accountability and results. Coordinate with internal teams
(FSQA, Planning, Commercialization, and Finance) to evaluate production capabilities, identify risks, and propose adjustments for new and transitioning products. Support commercialization efforts
by working with vendors to evaluate manufacturability of new products and propose improvements to optimize production. Monitor capacity constraints and production efficiency , using metrics such as OEE and throughput to support demand planning and identify overflow opportunities. Drive continuous improvement initiatives , collaborating with partners to reduce cost, improve quality, and streamline operations. Conduct audits and maintain quality standards
to ensure co-manufacturing facilities meet Kinder’s expectations and industry best practices. What you bring to the table
You are passionate about operations and collaboration. You understand co-manufacturing partnerships and build win-win relationships that are efficient, ethical, and results-driven. You’re comfortable in cross-functional decision-making and take initiative to identify and solve operational gaps. Skills and experience
Minimum
5+ years of experience
in
co-manufacturing ,
supply chain , or
food manufacturing operations . Strong understanding of
end-to-end CPG supply chain , including quality, procurement, and commercialization. Familiarity with
manufacturing KPIs
including OEE, throughput, MOQs, and production cost analysis. Proven ability to
manage vendor relationships
and resolve issues in dynamic environments. Ability to
analyze data
and use insights to drive decision-making and performance improvement. Excellent
cross-functional communication
and
interpersonal skills . Personal characteristics
Strong collaborator with empathy, respect, and problem-solving agility. Motivated by continuous improvement and thrives in fast-paced environments. Value teamwork, flexibility, and bring a solutions-oriented mindset. Self-starter who takes initiative and speaks their mind. Comfortable being both a leader and a contributor in a fast-moving team. Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say “yes” to impactful priorities. Work culture
No two days are the same; we value good communication and empowerment over rigid hierarchy. We make decisions with incomplete information and embrace ambiguity to move fast. We take smart risks and continuously grow our skills while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to do exceptional things and work hard to achieve them. Location & travel
The position is based in Walnut Creek, CA, with a hybrid schedule: 4 days in the office per week and 1 flex day to work remotely or in the office as needed. Travel approximately 50% to co-manufacturing partners and industry conferences. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Manufacturing, Management, and Supply Chain Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Note: This posting intentionally focuses on the Kinder’s Contract Manufacturing Manager role and removes unrelated postings and site-wide boilerplate.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Contract Manufacturing Manager
at
Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces Base pay range:
$120,000.00/yr - $140,000.00/yr Kinder’s has evolved from a regional shop into a growth-focused flavor-forward food company. We are privately held and founder-led, committed to building a modern brand with real value for consumers and partners. We value curiosity, authenticity, bold decision-making, and scalable systems that allow people to thrive.
How you’ll have an impact
As
Co-Manufacturing Manager , you will manage key relationships with co-manufacturing partners to support the production of Kinder’s premium products. You’ll serve as the daily liaison between Kinder’s and our co-manufacturers, ensuring quality production, reliable supply, and strong vendor performance. You’ll work cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Supply Planning, and Commercialization to optimize operations, resolve supply issues, and implement process improvements that support Kinder’s rapid growth. What you'll be doing
Manage co-manufacturing relationships
to ensure daily performance on quality, supply, and cost aligned to expectations. Lead regular performance reviews
(monthly/quarterly) with vendors using scorecards and KPIs to drive accountability and results. Coordinate with internal teams
(FSQA, Planning, Commercialization, and Finance) to evaluate production capabilities, identify risks, and propose adjustments for new and transitioning products. Support commercialization efforts
by working with vendors to evaluate manufacturability of new products and propose improvements to optimize production. Monitor capacity constraints and production efficiency , using metrics such as OEE and throughput to support demand planning and identify overflow opportunities. Drive continuous improvement initiatives , collaborating with partners to reduce cost, improve quality, and streamline operations. Conduct audits and maintain quality standards
to ensure co-manufacturing facilities meet Kinder’s expectations and industry best practices. What you bring to the table
You are passionate about operations and collaboration. You understand co-manufacturing partnerships and build win-win relationships that are efficient, ethical, and results-driven. You’re comfortable in cross-functional decision-making and take initiative to identify and solve operational gaps. Skills and experience
Minimum
5+ years of experience
in
co-manufacturing ,
supply chain , or
food manufacturing operations . Strong understanding of
end-to-end CPG supply chain , including quality, procurement, and commercialization. Familiarity with
manufacturing KPIs
including OEE, throughput, MOQs, and production cost analysis. Proven ability to
manage vendor relationships
and resolve issues in dynamic environments. Ability to
analyze data
and use insights to drive decision-making and performance improvement. Excellent
cross-functional communication
and
interpersonal skills . Personal characteristics
Strong collaborator with empathy, respect, and problem-solving agility. Motivated by continuous improvement and thrives in fast-paced environments. Value teamwork, flexibility, and bring a solutions-oriented mindset. Self-starter who takes initiative and speaks their mind. Comfortable being both a leader and a contributor in a fast-moving team. Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say “yes” to impactful priorities. Work culture
No two days are the same; we value good communication and empowerment over rigid hierarchy. We make decisions with incomplete information and embrace ambiguity to move fast. We take smart risks and continuously grow our skills while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to do exceptional things and work hard to achieve them. Location & travel
The position is based in Walnut Creek, CA, with a hybrid schedule: 4 days in the office per week and 1 flex day to work remotely or in the office as needed. Travel approximately 50% to co-manufacturing partners and industry conferences. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Manufacturing, Management, and Supply Chain Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Note: This posting intentionally focuses on the Kinder’s Contract Manufacturing Manager role and removes unrelated postings and site-wide boilerplate.
#J-18808-Ljbffr