Help Build a Healthier World
What if you could make a real difference, every day, for people’s health , animals , and the planet — working with a passionate vegan team?
You certainly can, at LeafSide! We are a growing company, offering innovative 100% whole-food plant-based (WFPB) vegan meals that deliver the highest standards in lifestyle medicine . Our mission is to make optimally healthy, whole vegan eating so easy and enjoyable that it becomes a societal norm.
Role Summary
LeafSide is seeking an Production & Operations Director to scale our operations through project management, supply chain optimization, and production automation.
As our team’s hands-on Vegan CPG Production & Operations Director, you’ll be responsible for overseeing and improving the team making LeafSide's life-changing magic meals. From supply-chain to production to fulfillment, you'll lead daily execution excellence, and key strategic improvements — while staying aligned with LeafSide’s vision and values. Being a great manager and coach is central to this role too. Other expectations include overseeing clear & sufficient (not excessive) documentation, and data-backed reasoning & problem-solving in general
It’ll all be happening in the fast-paced environment of a growing, mission-driven company — so we’re looking for someone who will see this role as not just another job, but key to their career and aligned with their life’s calling.
This role is on-site in Tempe, AZ.
What This Role Is (and Isn’t)
This role is:
- Hands-on leadership and coaching of staff across supply chain, production & fulfillment, and special projects therein; some cross-functional projects may also arise.
- Data-centric, with concise written analysis and reporting — including plans, briefs, tables/spreadsheets, predicting tradeoffs, doing due diligence, and sharing crisp updates to staff.
- Where progress and results are delivered by disciplined follow-through, risk tracking & mitigation, root cause analysis, and steady systems improvements.
This role is not:
- A high-level COO/Integrator role or a role with broad autonomy, at least not initially.
- Responsible for full P&L oversight; but managing costs effectively (with a strategy and prioritization) is required.
Non-Negotiable Outcomes
Production & Operations Execution, Reliability, and Scalability
- Keep production going to meet demand, with daily operational excellence across all Ops functions, and strategic improvements in productivity/training and quality assurance.
- Oversee SOPs, checklists, playbooks, and documentation.
- Own & maintain effective dashboards and trackers that show progress and constraints.
- Drive steady, measurable progress that lowers manual effort and costs while maintaining or raising quality.
- Strengthen supply chain forecasting, ordering cadence, and risk visibility.
- Coach and develop emerging leaders to proactively problem-solve, and run their work with clarity and determination.
How We Work (Critical Fit)
LeafSide operates with high rigor. Success in this role requires readiness for:
- Writing-first thinking: Plans, status, decisions, and risks are concisely documented.
- Data-backed reasoning: e.g. tables, comparisons, assumptions, and proof.
- Execution within constraints of time and budget.
Qualifications
- 7 - 10+ years of experience in production, manufacturing, and/or supply chain (food/CPG or regulated environment strongly preferred)
- 3 - 5+ years in production leadership (manager level or above)
- Fluent with business & operations software, e.g. Google Docs/Sheets and software/operations tools
- AI-empowered and constantly learning
- Track record of coaching teams to higher standards and responsibilities
Salary & Benefits
- We offer market-competitive compensation & total rewards, plus bonus, dependent on experience and qualifications.
- Total time off per year starts at 5 weeks per year. (8 paid holidays, 5 sick days, and 12 PTO days) with sick and PTO time accrued per fully employed pay period.
- Health, dental, and vision plans are offered, with full or partial coverage by the company depending on the plan chosen.
- Complimentary LeafSide meals every workday and employee discount on LeafSide products. Unlike most food companies, we eat our own products every day, and high-quality food drives us to perform our best!
- Knowing directly from customers that your work uplifts the health & lives of people all across the country.
Our Application Process
Email your application to: [email protected]
Subject line: Production & Operations Director – [Your Full Name]
Include:
- Your full name & phone number
- LinkedIn profile link
- Resume (PDF)
Please include this exact sentence in your email:
“I’m ready to lead, track, and improve production & operations at LeafSide with mission-driven gusto and clear communication.”
In the body of the email, please address these 3 prompts (short is fine; clarity matters):
1. Are you vegan?
- If yes: How long and what was the most decisive reason that made you commit?
- If no: What is your personal core-connection to our mission?
2. Describe one of the most important business changes you drove, that required getting buy-in from several stakeholders.
- What was your process?
- What were the options?
- What data or comparisons did you include?
- What did you recommend and why?
3. Supply chain leadership:
- When demand has spiked in the past, what are the top 3 indicators you monitored to prevent supply chain failure?
- What proactive measures did you take?
One example of thousands of unsolicited kudos from our LeafSiders:
- “In one week of eating LeafSide meals, I lost 9 pounds, was pain-free, had more energy and mental clarity. In fact, it was so amazing that I’ve decided that I’m going to make their meals a cornerstone of my healthy, new, plant-based diet lifestyle. With these meals, all I have to do is heat the water up in my little 12 Volt portable kettle and pour the hot water into the bowl with the meal. Presto! I have a healthy, plant-based, organic meal! Love, love, love LeafSide!!!” - Kelley
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have any food allergies that would prevent you from safely taste-testing or working in a facility that processes nuts, soy, wheat, coconut, sesame, and other common food allergens?
(Response Required for Consideration)
- Do you have 7+ years of hands-on experience in production, manufacturing, and/or supply chain, and 3+ years in a manufacturing leadership position?
(Yes/No)
(Response Required for Consideration)
- This is a hands-on, full-time, on-site role in Tempe, AZ (Monday–Friday, 45-50 hours/week, with additional time as needed to meet goals). Are you fully committed to this on-site schedule and pace?
(Yes/No)
(Response Required for Consideration)
- Do you do your best work in environments that value structured documentation, careful reasoning, and clear communication? (Yes/No)
If you are, be sure to: Read the entire job ad. Answer each of the Indeed application questions. Submit your Indeed application. Send the email described at the end of this job ad. Thanks, we look forward to learning more about you!
(Indeed Application, Email, and Completion of All Instructions Required for Consideration)
- Do you have manufacturing food/regulated experience in a smaller company?
(Response required for consideration)
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Mesa, AZ 85202 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Mesa, AZ 85202: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
