Every mission needs a mission control. Own the supply chain behind Backpacker’s Pantry trail meals and Astronaut Foods’ freeze-dried treats, from sourcing and S&OP to the inventory that keeps production right on schedule.

American Outdoor Products

American Outdoor Products (AOP) is the parent corporation of two purpose-driven food brands: Backpacker’s Pantry and Astronaut Foods.

Backpacker’s Pantry, founded in 1951, creates gourmet freeze-dried meals that fuel unforgettable outdoor adventures. Astronaut Foods, established in 1974, brings the thrill of space exploration to life with fun, freeze-dried snacks.

Based in Boulder, Colorado, both brands are united by a passion for innovation, adventure, and exceptional food. We are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable products that inspire curiosity, exploration, and discovery. Together, we are building a legacy of creativity and excellence in the specialty food space.

What You Will Do

Reporting to the VP of Operations, you’ll lead AOP’s end-to-end supply chain: ingredient and packaging sourcing, demand planning, S&OP, purchasing, inventory, and inbound logistics. As AOP grows contract manufacturing starting in 2027, you’ll build the supply chain systems and supplier relationships that flex with demand without sacrificing discipline or cost control. This is an ownership seat: you own your numbers, and you hold your team accountable to theirs.

Responsibilities:

Own and lead AOP’s S&OP process, bringing Sales, Finance, Production, and Operations together around a shared demand plan.
Own demand planning and material requirements planning so ingredients and packaging are ready for customer demand and the production schedule.
Strategically source raw materials and packaging, and lead supplier relationships, contracts, pricing, and scorecards across quality, cost, delivery, and documentation.
Keep inventory healthy through disciplined procurement and safety stock planning, catching aging or excess stock early.
Lead supply chain readiness for new products and contract manufacturing customers, from sourcing and MOQs to lead times and supply risk.
Own your department’s KPIs and cost reporting, and run a weekly cadence with Production, QA, and Finance to surface risks before they hit production.
Build a team that makes good sourcing and inventory decisions without you in the room, and apply lean principles to reduce waste and simplify processes.

Who You Are

You’re a hands-on supply chain leader who takes ownership of your numbers and doesn’t wait to be asked before flagging a risk. You’re comfortable building process from scratch in a fast-moving environment, and you know when a shortcut is fine and when it isn’t. You communicate clearly across Sales, Operations, QA, and Finance, and you take pride in building a supply chain that’s lean, reliable, and ready to scale.

Qualifications:

5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, demand planning, or operations, preferably in food or CPG.
Proven success in supplier sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management, with a focus on cost optimization and quality.
Experience leading and improving S&OP, demand forecasting, material requirements planning, and inventory planning.
Working knowledge of NetSuite (or a comparable ERP) and warehouse/production systems such as RF Smart, plus advanced Excel skills.
Experience in an SQF or similarly regulated food facility, including ingredient traceability and vendor verification.
Knowledge of lean principles and a track record of driving process improvement.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field.
Ability to work from our Boulder office four days per week (Tuesday through Friday).
Nice to have: an advanced degree and experience with or interest in sustainable and ethical sourcing.

Benefits

Salary: $115K-$130K base
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Unlimited paid time off.
Paid holidays.
401(K) retirement plan.
Employee profit-sharing program.
Product stipend and access to industry deals.

AOP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are treated fairly and with respect. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Our commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of employment.

Supply Chain Manager