VP of Technical Services at Westrock Coffee in Little Rock, AR

Job description

The Vice President of Technical Services provides strategic and operational leadership for Westrock Coffee Company's technical organization, encompassing Engineering, Capital Projects, Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA), Product Realization, and Research & Development (R&D). This role is responsible for: developing a strong, engaged technical organization through active coaching, mentoring, and talent development; ensuring the company's manufacturing platforms are safe, reliable, and scalable; that capital is deployed efficiently to support growth and innovation; that products consistently meet food safety, quality, and regulatory standards; and that new products and processes move smoothly from concept through commercial launch. This VP partners closely with Sales, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, and Executive Leadership to translate business strategy into technical execution across Westrock Coffee's seven areas of expertise: Roast & Ground Coffee, Tea, Single Serve Cups, Extracts, Ready to Drink Cans, Ready to Drink Glass Bottles, and PET Multi-Serve Bottles. Job Duties: Leadership & Strategy Set the strategic direction and annual operating priorities for the Technical Services organization in alignment with overall company goals. Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team of functional leaders across Engineering, Capital Projects, FSQA, Product Realization, and R&D. Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to company-wide strategic planning, budgeting, and risk management. Establish KPIs and governance routines to track performance, safety, quality, and project delivery across all technical functions. Actively coach and mentor functional leaders and emerging talent across the Technical Services organization, fostering a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and growth. Build succession plans and individual development plans for key roles, ensuring a strong bench of talent to support future company growth. Champion ongoing training and skills development programs for engineering, quality, and technical staff at all levels, including plant-floor talent. Engineering Oversee plant and process engineering to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of roasting, grinding, blending, extraction, and packaging equipment. Utilize Lean Manufacturing principles to drive continuous improvement, automation, and reliability programs that reduce downtime and improve throughput and yield. Ensure engineering standards, preventive maintenance programs, and asset management practices are consistently applied across all facilities. Capital Projects Lead capital planning, equipment installation, and start-up processes, prioritizing investments that support strategy, growth, productivity, safety, and sustainability objectives. Oversee design, construction, and start-up of new lines, equipment, and facilities, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Partner with Finance to build business cases, manage capital requests, and track ROI on completed projects. Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) Maintain company-wide food safety and quality systems that meet or exceed customer, regulatory (FDA, USDA), and certification requirements (e.g., SQF, HACCP). Ensure robust audit readiness, supplier quality programs, and corrective/preventive action processes are in place across all sites. Champion a culture of food safety and quality that is embedded in daily operations at every facility. Product Realization Lead the cross-functional process for translating new product concepts into commercially viable, manufacturable products. Ensure effective stage-gate management of new product introductions, line extensions, and customer co-manufacturing projects from trial through full-scale production. Partner with Sales and Marketing to align Product Realization timelines with customer commitments and market opportunities. Research & Development (R&D) Provide strategic direction for R