Vice President, Equipment Manufacturing & Quality

Since its founding in 1937, Krispy Kreme's focus has remained the same - making fresh doughnuts using our founder's original recipe. The brand's iconic Hot Light lets consumers know when doughnuts are being made in the shop so they can stop in and enjoy them hot, right off the line.

We are seeking a Vice President of Equipment Manufacturing and Quality to lead our doughnut equipment manufacturing and support. This role includes equipment design, engineering, manufacturing, delivery, installation and ongoing support. This role also oversees all aspects of our food safety and quality assurance within the organization. This position requires a strategic and results-driven leader with extensive experience in food manufacturing and operations management combined with a proven track record leading effective teams. This role will partner closely with our operations team to ensure delivery of high-quality equipment and product solutions while fostering a collaborative cross-functional, continuous improvement mindset in the space.

HERE'S A TASTE OF WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Strategic Leadership:
• Develop and execute our long-term strategy for the equipment manufacturing, innovation, food safety and product quality functions
• Refine and align our equipment and product quality goals with our business objectives to drive profitable growth and productivity initiatives
• Ensure our equipment manufacturing operations are scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable
• Lead the development and implementation of the company's food safety and quality strategy
• Set clear agenda for the food safety and quality team, ensuring fit with organization
• Equipment Manufacturing Operations Management:
• Provide leadership and oversite of our day-to-day operations of equipment manufacturing, ensuring on-time production, quality control, and adherence to budget
• Collaborate closely with product design, operations, FSQA, procurement and SC teams to ensure effective operational solutions
• Establish best practices in lean production, automation, and sustainability
• Manage relationships with suppliers, contractors, and third-party manufacturers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality doughnut manufacturing equipment solutions
• Implement robust quality control systems to ensure that all products meet or exceed industry standards, regulatory compliance, and customer expectations
• Design effective parts and support ecosystem that mitigates R&M costs and downtime
• Team Development and Leadership:
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of directors, managers, and other key personnel
• Create a culture of safety and continuous improvement across the management and manufacturing teams
• Foster XF collaboration and partnership
• Provide mentorship and professional development to the team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Equipment Quality Assurance and Compliance:
• Oversee product quality control measures to ensure all equipment meets industry standards and regulatory requirements
• Establish and enforce processes for addressing quality issues, and shop level feedback
• Develop a continuous feedback loop with our operations team to ensure we address problems, driving causal understanding and rapidly mitigate repeatable, predictable challenges
• Cost Management and Budgeting:
• Develop and manage equipment manufacturing budgets, including forecasting for labor, materials, shipping and plant requirements
• Identify opportunities for cost-saving improvements and implement lean manufacturing techniques to optimize resources
• Innovation and Technology:
• Identifying emerging trends, technologies, and manufacturing needs to drive equipment innovation pipeline
• Implement proven and validated automation and other advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity, reduce costs and downtime
• Guide the development of prototypes, pilots and commercialization of all equipment solutions
• Vendor and Supply Chain Management:
• Lead equipment vendor and supply chain management, building strong relationships with key suppliers, vendors, and partners to ensure a reliable flow of materials
• Oversee negotiation of pricing and contracts with suppliers and logistics partners to optimize costs and delivery schedules
• Operations Focus and Satisfaction:
• Collaborate with market development, both domestic and international to ensure internal customer requirements are met and exceeded
• Address and resolve any customer-related manufacturing issues or product concerns in a timely and effective manner

YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field (Master's preferred)
• 15+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven track record of success in manufacturing leadership, including managing large-scale production teams and facilities
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, and other operational efficiency methodologies
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive strategic initiatives
• Experience in managing budgets, forecasting, and cost control
• In-depth knowledge of industry regulations, safety standards, and quality control processes.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Highly organized with excellent time management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• A visionary leader with a passion for innovation and process improvement

*The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job and are not the official job description for the position. The official job description will be provided during the application/interview process.

BENEFITS:
Comprehensive benefits (medical, vision, and dental insurance)
Employee discount program
401K plan
PTO and "dream" days
Company events
Education Reimbursement
Adoption Assistance
Life Insurance
FSA/HSA Plans
Pet Insurance

Learn more at www.kkbenefits.com

WHY KRISPY KREME?

At Krispy Kreme, we focus on:

• Loving People:
• Our global culture is best captured by our Leadership Mix, a dozen behaviors that define how we work with one another across the world and give back to our communities. Check out our leadership mix here.
• Belonging happens once each Krispy Kremer knows their bold authentic self is welcomed, dignified, and loved, where their wonderfully original identities flourish and thrive.
• Loving Communities:
• At Krispy Kreme, sharing joy is at the center of everything we do, and we strive to inspire this in our communities. Our brand purpose truly shines through our Acts of Joy and community fundraising initiatives.
• In the U.S., we have been donating unsold doughnuts to local food banks, with a goal of bringing a smile to our consumers as they enjoy a small, sweet treat. We partner with Feeding America and Convoy of Hope, who in turn partner with organizations nationwide to distribute donations to people in need through diverse types of programs and services.
• In 2022, we helped community groups raise $40 million globally. Last year in the U.S., we supported more than 83,000 fundraising events, raising nearly $37 million.
• Loving Planet:
• We have been conducting a multi-year global GHG emissions assessment to establish an emissions baseline, using this foundation to soon set goals for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs.

About Krispy Kreme

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Krispy Kreme is one of the most beloved and well-known sweet treat brands in the world. Our iconic Original Glazed doughnut is universally recognized for its hot-off-the-line, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Krispy Kreme operates in more than 35 countries through its unique network of fresh doughnut shops, partnerships with leading retailers, and a rapidly growing Ecommerce and delivery business with more than 14,000 fresh points of access. Our purpose of touching and enhancing lives through the joy that is Krispy Kreme guides how we operate every day and is reflected in the love we have for our people, our communities and the planet. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one of its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.