Director of Contract Manufacturing & Commercialization

Summary

Join OUAI, a company driven by a fun, purposeful, and approachable culture, as their Director of Contract Manufacturing & Commercialization. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you will lead and scale external manufacturing partnerships, driving operational excellence across product launches and supply chain readiness. This role involves managing the Commercialization and Procurement teams, developing strategic relationships with contract manufacturers, and serving as the Operations lead in new product development. You will ensure scalability of manufacturing capacity, lead procurement and commercialization teams, oversee Bill of Materials and COGS planning, and implement systems improvements. The position requires significant cross-functional collaboration and regular travel to manufacturing sites. OUAI offers a flexible, trust-based work environment with competitive benefits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain, preferably in a high-growth, CPG product company or at a contract manufacturer
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project and NetSuite
• Experience leading Stagegate or other structured NPD/commercialization processes
• Highly collaborative, working cross-functionally across multiple disciplines
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent problem-solving skills and a strong sense of urgency
• Strong communication skills; written, oral and interpersonal
• Must be willing to travel regularly to CM sites and more up to (~40%)
• Able to lead, motivate and develop direct reports in a highly dynamic, high growth environment
• Remote Locations open to: Los Angeles OR NYC

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee strategic relationships with Contract Manufacturers ensuring they deliver on performance, quality and cost
• Serve as the Operations lead in our New Product Development process, collaborating with cross functional departments, CM’s and Suppliers to commercialize new product launches
• Drive operational excellence, continuous improvement and cost savings initiatives across manufacturing sites and in partnership with component suppliers
• Ensure the scalability of both component and contract manufacturing capacity required to support growth and market demand
• Lead the Procurement team in partnership with Demand Planning to anticipate constraints and proactively solve future needs
• Lead the Commercialization team through Stagegate process ensuring on time/on cost product launches by partnering closely with all cross-functional departments (ie Product Development, Packaging, Procurement, Quality, Brand, Sales & Planning)
• Oversee Bill of Materials and COGS scenario planning throughout the Commercialization process
• Lead implementation of systems improvements and automation to continually gain efficiency and improve data accuracy
• Oversee NetSuite Order to Cash process and approve necessary purchasing transactions
• Join both internal and external weekly meetings with Suppliers and Contract Manufacturers
• Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews with Contract Manufacturers to review KPIs, operational risks, cost performance, and continuous improvement plans

Benefits

• Medical + Dental + Vision
• Unlimited PTO
• 25+ Paid Holidays
• Matching 401k program
• Quarterly OUAI Product Stipend + Employee Discounts
• Flex Fridays
• Employee HSA and FSA
• Hybrid work reimbursement
• Move Your OUAI (Exercise Reimbursement)