Senior Manager, External Manufacturing, International

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager of International External Manufacturing owns the development, launch, and ongoing performance of Welch’s international co-manufacturing partnerships. This role leads the full partnership lifecycle—from identifying and evaluating manufacturing partners through due diligence, onboarding, commercialization, and day-to-day operational management.

Reporting within the Global Commercial team, this position serves as the team’s dedicated operations leader, ensuring external manufacturing partners have the capabilities, capacity, and operating processes to support Welch’s international business. Working closely with Supply Chain, Food Safety & Quality, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and Sales, this individual is accountable for partner performance, supply reliability, inventory management, cost improvement, and operational readiness for new products and markets.

Where You’ll Work:

• This role will be based at our Waltham, MA headquarters.
• Employees work in the office three days per week, with Thursdays and Fridays as remote, flex days.
• Ability to travel 30–40% during peak periods.

What You’ll Do:

International Manufacturing Partnership Development

• Own the identification, evaluation, and establishment of international co-manufacturing partnerships to support Welch’s growth plans.
• Lead cross-functional partner assessments, coordinating evaluation of manufacturing capabilities, capacity, cost, quality, supply chain requirements, and operational risks.
• Partner with Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, and Food Safety & Quality to establish agreements, operating requirements, performance expectations, and clear accountability.
• Lead partner onboarding and operational launch, ensuring facilities, processes, resources, and supply arrangements are ready to support production.
• Translate international business plans into manufacturing capacity, supply requirements, and partner operating priorities.

Partner Operations & Performance

• Serve as the primary operational relationship owner for international co-manufacturers, managing partnerships from launch through ongoing production and continuous improvement.
• Establish and monitor partner KPIs covering quality, service, production delivery, inventory, cost, and adherence to operating commitments.
• Lead regular partner performance reviews, establish corrective action plans, and drive follow-through on outstanding issues.
• Maintain oversight of inventories and customer service performance supporting international markets, coordinating with manufacturing and distribution partners to address supply gaps and execution issues.
• Anticipate capacity constraints, production disruptions, and inventory risks; coordinate mitigation plans and timely escalation.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, strengthen margins, and improve supply reliability.

Commercialization & Operational Launch

• Lead the external manufacturing workstreams for new products, manufacturing locations, and international partnerships through Welch’s STRIDE Stage Gate process.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Food Safety & Quality, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and Sales to assess feasibility and establish launch requirements.
• Manage project plans, milestones, dependencies, and stakeholder accountability from initial evaluation through production launch.
• Ensure manufacturing and supply readiness aligns with product specifications, quality requirements, launch timing, and forecasted demand.
• Present clear recommendations, risks, and decisions needed to keep initiatives moving.

Supply Planning, Forecasting & Analytics

• Partner with Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance to translate demand forecasts into production, capacity, and inventory requirements.
• Coordinate weekly, monthly, and quarterly planning reviews to align partner operations with changing business needs.
• Monitor inventory, service levels, manufacturing costs, and partner performance to identify trends and guide operational decisions.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for new partnerships, capacity investments, and operational improvements.
• Provide leadership with concise reporting on partner performance, supply risks, project progress, and financial impacts.

Process Improvement & Operating Discipline

• Establish consistent processes for partner onboarding, performance management, issue resolution, and operational reporting across international markets.
• Implement tools and controls that improve visibility, accountability, and coordination between Welch’s and its external partners.
• Document operating procedures, roles, and escalation paths to support effective cross-functional execution.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen partner capabilities and support a scalable international manufacturing network.

Who You Are:

• You take ownership, set priorities independently, and follow through from initial planning to operational execution.
• You combine strategic thinking with hands-on manufacturing and supply chain problem-solving.
• You build productive external partnerships while holding partners accountable for performance and commitments.
• You bring structure to complex initiatives, anticipate obstacles, and develop practical solutions.
• You use data to assess performance, weigh tradeoffs, and make clear recommendations.
• You communicate effectively across functions, cultures, and organizational levels, using sound judgment and influencing skills to move work forward.
• You bring a continuous improvement mindset and balance cost, quality, service, and risk in your decisions.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 8–12 years of experience in external manufacturing, co-manufacturing operations, supply chain, manufacturing operations, or related discipline required.
• Experience identifying, evaluating, onboarding, and managing external manufacturing partners, including establishing operating requirements and performance expectations.
• Experience supporting international manufacturing operations or global supply chains.
• Demonstrated ability to manage partner performance, resolve operational issues, and deliver improvements in cost, quality, service, or supply reliability.
• Experience partnering on manufacturing agreements, cost evaluations, and business cases.
• Strong analytical and planning skills, including experience connecting demand forecasts with production, capacity, and inventory requirements.
• Demonstrated project management experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning through launch.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with business intelligence or reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing a plus.
• Experience with Stage Gate commercialization and Project Management Office (PMO) processes.
• MBA or related advanced degree.

What You’ll Enjoy
At Welch’s, you’ll join a purpose-driven organization with a culture built on collaboration, belonging, and impact. Our rewards package supports your well-being, growth, and success through:

• An inclusive, collaborative culture where your voice and contributions matter.
• Competitive compensation, including base salary and an annual incentive plan.
• A hybrid work schedule with three days onsite and two days remote.
• Paid time off and holidays, plus 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually for non-union employees.
• Career development, including LinkedIn Learning, tuition reimbursement, and formal and informal growth opportunities.
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
• Benefits from day one, including health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Programs; and savings through Perks at Work.
• Paid parental and adoption leave after six months of employment.

Compensation
The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $130,000 to $140,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum base salary for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and represents Welch’s good faith estimate as of the date of this posting.

Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan.