Vice President of Manufacturing Operations

We are seeking a Vice President of Manufacturing Operations to lead and optimize our manufacturing, supply chain, and production processes. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for overseeing contract manufacturing in China, developing strong supplier relationships, and ensuring seamless collaboration between our internal product design, purchasing, and compliance teams. The ideal candidate is a strategic and hands-on operations leader with deep expertise in global supply chain management, cost analysis, production development and planning—especially within the toy industry. This role is pivotal in scaling our operations efficiently and driving continuous improvement in manufacturing and logistics.

As part of our executive team, the VP of Global Operations will shape our long-term operational strategy, balancing cost efficiency with innovation, and global sourcing diversification.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all contract manufacturing relationships with suppliers in China, and other territories, ensuring cost efficiency, adherence to specifications, and on-time delivery.
• Lead the sourcing of suppliers, working closely with the internal product design, procurement, and compliance to identify optimal production partners.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for suppliers, ensuring adherence to quality, capacity, and compliance requirements.
• Manage production and capacity planning to align with business growth and demand fluctuations.
• Partner with the Purchasing and Sales teams in demand planning to ensure inventory optimization.

Product Development & Engineering Support:

• Collaborate with product development team to ensure manufacturability and cost efficiency in the early stages of development.
• Lead cost analysis and margin optimization efforts across the supply chain.
• Oversee tooling, prototyping, and production trials to ensure products meet design and quality specifications.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

• Oversee compliance, quality control procedures, and testing protocols.
• Ensure all products meet international toy safety standards (ASTM, EN71, CPC, etc.) and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Develop strategies for continuous improvement in factory processes, defect reduction, and consumer safety.

Vendor & Partner Management:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with manufacturing partners, raw material suppliers, and logistics providers.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and lead times to optimize cost efficiency and supply chain reliability.
• Conduct factory audits and ensure suppliers are compliant with regulations and retailer requirements.

Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence:

• Develop and implement an operational roadmap aligned with the company’s growth strategy.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including geopolitical, financial, and logistical disruptions.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to improve forecasting, production efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in operations, supply chain, or manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong background in toy manufacturing, consumer products, or a closely related industry.
• Extensive experience working with contract manufacturers in China, including factory sourcing, compliance, and quality control.
• Deep knowledge of toy safety standards, compliance regulations, and testing requirements.
• Proven track record in cost analysis, production planning, and supply chain optimization.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing international supplier relationships.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple product lines simultaneously.
• Ability to travel to China and other supplier locations as needed.

At Schylling, we are on a mission to create timeless moments of joy, laughter, and imagination for kids of all ages. Since 1975, our toys have been designed to spark creativity and deliver smiles, both delightful playthings from years past and innovative new items with a nostalgic appeal. We offer iconic brands such as NeeDoh®, LAVA® Lamp, Big Wheel®, Schylling hand puppets, Sea-Monkeys® and a variety of other toys that satisfy curiosity, encourage discovery, and help people find their best mellow and chill.