About the Company

Levels is one of the fastest-growing sports nutrition brands in America. We make premium protein powders without the gimmicks, hype, or shortcuts that dominate the category. Our business is rooted in ingredient transparency, product quality, and operational excellence. Our products are sold through direct-to-consumer, Amazon, Costco, Walmart, Target, and a growing network of national retailers and distributors. As we continue to scale our protein powder business and expand into Ready-to-Drink protein beverages, we are adding an experienced business operator to lead commercialization and cross-functional execution.

About the Role

The Vice President, Business Operations & Commercialization is a senior operator responsible for moving products and strategic initiatives from concept through commercialization, launch, and ongoing execution. This is not a traditional supply chain role. This person will work across Product Development, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Sales, Marketing, and external manufacturing partners to create alignment, remove roadblocks, and ensure the company executes against its highest priorities. The ideal candidate has deep experience commercializing Ready-to-Drink beverages, preferably shelf-stable, dairy-based, or high-protein products. Experience with protein powders, sports nutrition, nutritional products, or supplements is also strongly preferred. This role reports directly to the CEO and will work closely with the COO and executive leadership team.

Responsibilities

Lead commercialization from concept through full-scale launch across RTD beverages and protein powders.

Responsibilities include:

Building and managing integrated commercialization plans
Establishing timelines, critical paths, ownership, and launch-readiness criteria
Coordinating formula, ingredient, packaging, artwork, regulatory, and quality readiness
Leading pilot production, scale-up, commercial trials, and manufacturing transitions
Aligning inventory, sales, marketing, and retail timelines
Identifying risks early and driving timely decisions
Leading launch-readiness meetings and executive updates
Conducting post-launch reviews and improving future processes

Provide senior leadership for the development and commercialization of the company’s Ready-to-Drink beverage platform.

Responsibilities include:

Shelf-stable and high-protein beverage commercialization
Formula transfer and manufacturing validation
Pilot and commercial production planning
Ingredient and flavor qualification
Packaging format and fill-line readiness
Shelf-life, stability, process authority, and regulatory coordination
Quality and food-safety readiness
Cost modeling, margin validation, and capacity planning
Co-manufacturer selection, coordination, and accountability

Lead commercialization and business operations across whey protein, casein, collagen, and future powder innovation.

Responsibilities include:

Formula and ingredient commercialization
Raw material and flavor-system qualification
Blending, filling, and packaging readiness
Manufacturing scale-up and process improvement
Co-manufacturer coordination
Cost, margin, and capacity planning
Product and packaging transitions
Product lifecycle management
Translate company priorities into clear operating plans
Create alignment across departments and external partners
Establish ownership, deadlines, decision points, and escalation paths
Identify and remove organizational bottlenecks
Improve operating rhythms, planning processes, and executive visibility
Build scalable systems without adding unnecessary bureaucracy
Lead complex initiatives that cross multiple functions
Step into unclear areas of the business and create structure
Help leadership prioritize initiatives based on impact, complexity, risk, and available resources
Partner with Finance to build business cases for new products, formats, and investments
Evaluate product economics, margin, capital requirements, and commercialization tradeoffs
Support annual planning, forecasting, and long-range business planning
Identify opportunities to improve profitability and reduce complexity
Evaluate the operational implications of new channels, retailers, partnerships, and manufacturing opportunities
Provide objective, data-driven recommendations to the CEO and leadership team

Qualifications

12+ years of progressive leadership experience in consumer packaged goods
Significant experience in Ready-to-Drink beverages, sports nutrition, protein powders, nutritional products, supplements, or closely related categories
Demonstrated experience commercializing products from concept through full-scale manufacturing and retail launch
Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives
Strong financial and commercial acumen
Experience working with executive leadership
Experience building processes within a fast-growing business
Ability to influence senior leaders without relying solely on direct authority

Required Skills

Deep RTD beverage experience is the highest priority.

Preferred beverage experience includes:

Shelf-stable beverages
High-protein or nutritional beverages
Dairy-based or ultra-filtered milk beverages
Functional beverages
Aseptic or retort manufacturing
Commercial beverage scale-up
Preferred powder experience includes:
Whey protein
Casein
Collagen
Sports nutrition or nutritional powders
Powder blending and filling
Ingredient and flavor-system qualification
Co-manufacturer management
Candidates whose experience is primarily outside beverages, protein powders, nutrition, or closely related CPG categories are unlikely to be a fit.

Preferred Skills

Experience supporting products sold through several of the following channels is preferred:

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