Company Overview:
ChocXO Chocolatier LLC is a fast-growing, premium North American chocolate manufacturer redefining how modern food manufacturing is built and scaled. Privately owned, well-capitalized, and founder-led, we operate at the intersection of branded CPG, contract manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability — with the freedom to invest long-term and do things the right way.
In the past year alone, we have:
- Scaled from one manufacturing site to three
- Expanded our brand portfolio, including the mission-driven Endangered Species Chocolate
- Invested heavily in new capacity, automation, and enterprise-grade systems
- Begun construction on a next-generation manufacturing campus in Rockwall, Texas
Our manufacturing footprint includes:
- Delta, British Columbia – 60,000 sq. ft. fully automated, SQF Level 3 flagship
- Indianapolis, Indiana – 35,000 sq. ft. facility, home of Endangered Species Chocolate
- Rockwall, Texas – 225,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution complex opening in 2026
We are now entering the most important phase of our growth: institutionalizing excellence. This is the shift from growth powered by heroics to growth powered by systems, discipline, and repeatability.
The Role:
We are building a modern North American chocolate platform across three facilities, combining branded products (Chocxo, Endangered Species Chocolate) with large-scale contract manufacturing (Chewters). We are hiring a hands-on leader to drive automation, AI, and operational systems across the business.
This role is focused on improving how our factories and business actually run — both on the plant floor and across administrative functions. The mandate is simple: reduce cost, improve throughput, increase uptime, and deliver real-time operational visibility.
You will lead both factory automation (robotics, vision systems, controls) and the development of AI-driven systems that provide clear, daily insight into performance, risk, and inefficiency.
This is a build role. We move quickly, invest when it makes sense, and expect execution.
We’re not looking for someone to study automation or AI — we’re looking for someone to build it and make it pay.
Key Responsibilities
Factory Automation
- Identify and prioritize automation opportunities across packaging, material handling, and end-of-line operations
- Deploy robotics, vision systems, and control solutions across multiple plants
- Standardize automation approaches, components, and vendors across facilities
- Improve line efficiency, reduce labor dependency, and increase overall equipment effectiveness
- Partner with plant managers and engineering teams to implement practical, scalable solutions
AI & Operational Systems
- Build and deploy systems that provide real-time visibility into production and business performance
- Develop tools that answer critical operational questions, including:
- Where did we lose time or money yesterday?
- What are the top risks today?
- Which lines, SKUs, or customers are underperforming?
- Where are we drifting on cost, throughput, or cash?
- Integrate data across production, finance, and supply chain systems
- Establish dashboards, alerts, and reporting that drive daily decision-making
Execution & Leadership
- Build and lead a small, high-impact automation and systems team
- Work closely with plant leadership, engineering, and finance to align priorities
- Own project execution from concept through deployment and performance validation
- Ensure investments deliver measurable ROI
What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)
- Multiple automation cells deployed across key production areas
- Measurable reduction in labor dependency in targeted operations
- Improved uptime, throughput, and line performance across facilities
- Standardized automation approach implemented across plants
- A functioning AI-driven visibility layer providing daily operational clarity
- Clear identification and reduction of key cost and performance gaps
Required Experience Profile
- 10+ years of experience in industrial automation, manufacturing engineering, or a related field
- Proven track record deploying robotics, controls, and integrated automation systems in a production environment
- Strong understanding of how factories operate day-to-day, including constraints and trade-offs
- Hands-on, practical approach with the ability to move from diagnosis to implementation quickly
- Experience identifying and executing high-ROI operational improvements
- Ability to lead projects across multiple sites and functions
Preferred (Not Required)
- Experience with data systems, analytics, or AI in a manufacturing environment
Location
- Role is based in Delta, BC, with regular time in Texas (Rockwall) and Indianapolis
- Regular presence in the office is expected
Application
- If you are interested, please send a resume along with a brief summary of the projects you have personally led and their outcomes.
Pay: $125,000.00-$150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Delta, BC V3M 6R9: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- What projects have you led and what their outcomes?
Work Location: In person
