What’s it like to work at Kinder’s? Well, there’s a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that, there’s also plenty of hard work. Because we don’t just like flavor, we’re obsessed with it.
With over 100 products sold nationwide, we’re now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. We’re not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.
As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need more smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you’re looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it! Every day, you’ll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.
How you'll have an impact at Kinder’s: As Contract Manufacturing Manager, you will be responsible for managing key relationships with our 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. Working cross-functionally with teams across Quality, R&D, Supply Planning, and Commercialization, you’ll help 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 is 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 the nuance of co-manufacturing partnerships and take pride in building win-win relationships that are efficient, ethical, and results-driven. You're comfortable in the middle of cross-functional decision-making and take initiative to spot 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:
- You’re a strong collaborator with high empathy, respect, and problem-solving agility.
- You are motivated by continuous improvement and thrive in fast-paced environments.
- You value teamwork, flexibility, and bring a solutions-oriented mindset to challenges.
- Self-starter who takes initiative and speaks their mind.
- Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower.
- Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.
Location & Travel
The position will be based out of our office in Walnut Creek, CA. We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the office on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumer and to have more fun. We have 1 flex day per week with employees having the opportunity to choose to be either in the office or to work from home based on what makes most sense for them.
Travel approximately 50% to co-manufacturing partners and industry conferences.
The expected starting salary range for this role is $135,000- $155,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.
- No two days here are the same.
- We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here.
- We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
- We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.
- We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
- We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.
OUR RECIPE FOR BALANCE:We believe great culture starts with people. We’re a people-first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.
WHERE EVERY INGREDIENT MATTERS:Kinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Skills Required
- 5+ years 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 such as OEE, throughput, MOQs, and production cost analysis.
- Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and resolve operational issues.
- Ability to analyze data and use insights to drive decision-making and performance improvement.
- Excellent cross-functional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience conducting audits and maintaining quality standards at co-manufacturing facilities.
What We Do
In 1946, World War II Navy veteran John Kinder started his own butcher shop in a small storefront in San Pablo, California. Over the next seven decades, John built a reputation for commitment to quality, family service, and amazing flavors. At the age of 90, he was still showing up first and helping customers find quality ingredients to make clean, delicious meals for family and friends. At Kinder’s, we carry on Grandpa John’s legacy by offering the best tasting seasonings, rubs, marinades and sauces in the market. We are growing fast and our products are available at national retailers including Costco, Albertsons, Sam’s Club and Walmart.
