Brand: Post Holdings Inc.
Categories: Procurement
Locations: Saint Louis, Missouri; United States
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Remote Eligible: Yes
Req ID: 30394
Job Description
Business Unit Overview
Feeding the world is what we do - how we do it is unique. We are not your textbook consumer packaged goods company. While others may be slow to make change happen, Post continuously drives both inorganic and organic growth. Our history is evidence of that fact with over 100 years of heritage and growth from brands that transcend generations like Honey Bunches of Oats, Fruity Pebbles, Malt-O-Meal, Bob Evans, Kibbles 'n Bits, Egg Beaters, Peter Pan peanut butter and more. Our foodservice and ingredient businesses supply other products you love for brands, restaurants and stores.
We have more than 55 offices and manufacturing sites and approximately 13,000 employees. Over the past 13 years, Post has made 28+ acquisitions and innovative financial transactions and reached $8.2 billion in net sales in fiscal 2025. During turbulent times of market uncertainty, the food industry has provided a level of stability unlike other industries
Post Holdings, Inc. is a Fortune 500 ® company headquartered in Brentwood, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Our casual professional atmosphere encourages team members to collaborate, innovate and support our operating companies. Our passion and drive advance the reputation of our operating companies and brands-together, we make a difference.
Responsibilities
The Contract Manufacturing Lead Manager will interact with and support Marketing & Sales as well as all other functional departments including Operations, Logistics, Demand Planning, Quality, Research & Development, Procurement, and Finance across multiple business units within Post Holdings with a specific focus on Wet Pet Food strategy . This person will manage external manufacturing relationships across multiple brands and facilities and play a key role in the development and implementation of key commercialization and innovation initiatives with a focus on volume and profit growth as well as cost reduction.
Candidates based in the St. Louis area will follow a hybrid work schedule, with in-office days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
KEY RESPONSIBLITIES
Operational Oversight & Relationship Management
Manage external relationships with co-manufacturers to ensure they provide unique capabilities, capacity, and competitive costs
Oversee contract manufacturers, both domestic and international, across multiple brands and facilities, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational efficiency
Foster long-term, productive relationships that drive continuous improvement, profitability, and capacity growth
Lead the vendor selection process by developing criteria to evaluate new manufacturing partners and identifying the most suitable providers for the company's needs
Negotiate complex contracts with qualified contract manufacturers and co-packers that clearly convey cost expectations, service levels, quality standards, and promote long-term partnerships
Ensure agreements include cost-saving mechanisms and establish clear accountability to foster strong relationships while reducing risk
Conduct regular performance evaluations of co-manufacturing partners, reviewing metrics such as production output, cost efficiency, quality standards, and service levels
Lead monthly business reviews with external manufacturers, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and driving performance improvements through data-driven insights
Organize and lead annual site reviews to assess partner capabilities and align on future business plans, ensuring the continuous alignment of operational strategies with business growth
Collaborate with Finance and Procurement to develop annual budgets for co-manufactured products, ensuring financial goals are clearly defined and met
Review co-manufacturing P&Ls to validate cost variances versus standard, identify opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to leadership
Drive accountability on cost performance, ensuring the financial health of external manufacturing operations through regular tracking of operating profit targets
Strategic Leadership & Improvement Initiatives
Lead strategic discussions on make vs. buy decisions, assessing internal vs. external manufacturing options
Prepare comprehensive business cases and recommendations based on cost, capacity, and long-term value
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure outsourcing decisions are aligned with broader supply chain and operational goals, optimizing production capacity and minimizing risks
Lead major cross-functional projects that align with business objectives, such as sustainability initiatives or operational efficiency improvements
Provide project management leadership by coordinating trials, start-ups, and quality audits at third-party manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment with launch timelines and objectives
Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of site approvals and audits for new third-party manufacturers, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations and internal standards
Champion process improvement initiatives with co-manufacturers, identifying opportunities for automation, digital transformation, or supply chain enhancements that drive efficiency and reduce costs
Work closely with co-manufacturers to promote continuous improvement in production processes, identifying areas to streamline operations and improve margins through lean methodologies
Engage in joint business planning with key external manufacturers to drive innovation, cost reduction, and enhanced production capabilities, aligning operational goals with long-term business objectives
Develop and implement contingency plans to mitigate risks from potential labor interruptions, fluctuations in product demand, or supply chain disruptions
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Operations, Sales, R&D) to ensure business continuity during unforeseen circumstances by securing alternative manufacturing solutions
Oversee the management of inventory control and the disposition of obsolete inventory at co-manufacturers, ensuring optimal inventory levels and minimizing financial waste
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in a related field (Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, etc)
Minimum of 7-9 years of operational and plant manufacturing experience preferably in a CPG environment
Minimum of 7-9 years of project management experience
Strong knowledge of quality and food safety regulations and compliance requirements
Proven experience with P&Ls, contract negotiation, and managing external co-manufacturing agreements
Proficient in ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, JDE, etc
Strong cross-functional leadership and problem-solving abilities
Demonstrated business acumen, with a proactive approach to driving operational success
Travel Requirements: ~30% monthly
The pay range for this position is $89,506 - $132,468 per year.
The Contract Manufacturing Lead Manager will interact with and support Marketing & Sales as well as all other functional departments including Operations, Logistics, Demand Planning, Quality, Research & Development, Procurement, and Finance across multiple business units within Post Holdings with a specific focus on Wet Pet Food strategy . This person will manage external manufacturing relationships across multiple brands and facilities and play a key role in the development and implementation of key commercialization and innovation initiatives with a focus on volume and profit growth as well as cost reduction.
Candidates based in the St. Louis area will follow a hybrid work schedule, with in-office days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
KEY RESPONSIBLITIES
Operational Oversight & Relationship Management
Manage external relationships with co-manufacturers to ensure they provide unique capabilities, capacity, and competitive costs
Oversee contract manufacturers, both domestic and international, across multiple brands and facilities, ensuring alignment with business goals and operational efficiency
Foster long-term, productive relationships that drive continuous improvement, profitability, and capacity growth
Lead the vendor selection process by developing criteria to evaluate new manufacturing partners and identifying the most suitable providers for the company's needs
Negotiate complex contracts with qualified contract manufacturers and co-packers that clearly convey cost expectations, service levels, quality standards, and promote long-term partnerships
Ensure agreements include cost-saving mechanisms and establish clear accountability to foster strong relationships while reducing risk
Conduct regular performance evaluations of co-manufacturing partners, reviewing metrics such as production output, cost efficiency, quality standards, and service levels
Lead monthly business reviews with external manufacturers, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and driving performance improvements through data-driven insights
Organize and lead annual site reviews to assess partner capabilities and align on future business plans, ensuring the continuous alignment of operational strategies with business growth
Collaborate with Finance and Procurement to develop annual budgets for co-manufactured products, ensuring financial goals are clearly defined and met
Review co-manufacturing P&Ls to validate cost variances versus standard, identify opportunities for improvement, and communicate findings to leadership
Drive accountability on cost performance, ensuring the financial health of external manufacturing operations through regular tracking of operating profit targets
Strategic Leadership & Improvement Initiatives
Lead strategic discussions on make vs. buy decisions, assessing internal vs. external manufacturing options
Prepare comprehensive business cases and recommendations based on cost, capacity, and long-term value
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure outsourcing decisions are aligned with broader supply chain and operational goals, optimizing production capacity and minimizing risks
Lead major cross-functional projects that align with business objectives, such as sustainability initiatives or operational efficiency improvements
Provide project management leadership by coordinating trials, start-ups, and quality audits at third-party manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment with launch timelines and objectives
Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of site approvals and audits for new third-party manufacturers, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations and internal standards
Champion process improvement initiatives with co-manufacturers, identifying opportunities for automation, digital transformation, or supply chain enhancements that drive efficiency and reduce costs
Work closely with co-manufacturers to promote continuous improvement in production processes, identifying areas to streamline operations and improve margins through lean methodologies
Engage in joint business planning with key external manufacturers to drive innovation, cost reduction, and enhanced production capabilities, aligning operational goals with long-term business objectives
Develop and implement contingency plans to mitigate risks from potential labor interruptions, fluctuations in product demand, or supply chain disruptions
Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Operations, Sales, R&D) to ensure business continuity during unforeseen circumstances by securing alternative manufacturing solutions
Oversee the management of inventory control and the disposition of obsolete inventory at co-manufacturers, ensuring optimal inventory levels and minimizing financial waste
Bachelor's Degree in a related field (Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, etc)
Minimum of 7-9 years of operational and plant manufacturing experience preferably in a CPG environment
Minimum of 7-9 years of project management experience
Strong knowledge of quality and food safety regulations and compliance requirements
Proven experience with P&Ls, contract negotiation, and managing external co-manufacturing agreements
Proficient in ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, JDE, etc
Strong cross-functional leadership and problem-solving abilities
Demonstrated business acumen, with a proactive approach to driving operational success
Travel Requirements: ~30% monthly
Post Holdings provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
