Operational Execution Support for In-House Manufacturing Value Creation
Delta Driver brings the project management discipline, manufacturing expertise, and operating judgment required to help Lion Equity execute the transition of high-volume personal care SKUs from co-manufacturing to internal production.
```Executive Summary
Lion Equity is advancing a portfolio company initiative that moves selected high-volume personal care SKUs from a co-manufacturer into an internal manufacturing facility.
The business case is clear: bring a limited number of high-volume SKUs in-house, capture manufacturing savings, and increase control over production. The execution challenge is equally clear: the transition adds approximately 20% unit volume to the plant while the company continues to operate without a permanent VP of Operations.
Delta Driver addresses that execution risk without turning the engagement into an interim leadership assignment. Our team uses its operating leadership experience to fill the practical decision-making void, guide the site through implementation, and keep the work moving through clear milestones.
Lion Equity needs a focused execution partner that can take the existing assessment, convert it into a working implementation plan, coordinate vendors and CapEx, manage operational constraints, and support startup readiness across quality, capacity, packaging, labeling, and production.
What We Heard in the Meeting
The project requires practical execution support across equipment, labeling, packaging, inventory, quality, startup readiness, and site-level coordination.
High-Volume SKU Migration
Lion Equity is transitioning a small number of high-volume body care oil SKUs from a co-manufacturer into an existing internal production site.
Operating Leadership Void
The portfolio company is executing this work without a permanent VP of Operations, which increases the need for practical guidance, decision support, and disciplined follow-through.
CapEx and Equipment Decisions
Existing lines support part of the requirement, but labeling and bottling needs require equipment decisions, vendor coordination, and commissioning discipline.
Packaging and Space Constraints
Packaging, storage, minimum order quantities, overflow options, and current inventory levels directly affect the execution plan.
Quality and Stage-Gate Readiness
The project requires clear release criteria, lab readiness, startup gates, production validation, and finished-good control.
Lean, Experienced Support
Lion Equity needs operators who have done the work before, not a large generalist consulting team that creates structure without owning execution.
Where Delta Driver Aligns
Delta Driver aligns with Lion Equity’s need for hands-on project execution, manufacturing expertise, operating judgment, and PE-speed value creation.
Operating Judgment
Delta Driver brings senior operating experience to guide decisions, remove barriers, and support the plant through the absence of a permanent VP of Operations.
Execution Project Management
Delta Driver converts the completed assessment into a practical execution plan with ownership, timing, stage gates, and management cadence.
Personal Care Manufacturing
Delta Driver brings relevant experience in personal care, CPG, body oils, packaging, filling, labeling, quality systems, and plant operations.
Delta Driver’s Role in the Engagement
Delta Driver supports Lion Equity and the portfolio company by turning the assessment into a managed operating program that delivers measurable execution.
Execution Support
- Convert the assessment into a clear implementation roadmap
- Define workstreams, owners, milestones, risks, and decision points
- Coordinate site leadership, quality, maintenance, procurement, and production
- Maintain execution cadence without creating unnecessary consulting overhead
Manufacturing Implementation
- Coordinate CapEx, vendors, labeling equipment, startup actions, and timing
- Evaluate packaging, storage, inventory, and line-readiness constraints
- Build stage gates for quality, capacity, startup, and finished-good release
- Establish management feedback loops that sustain after commissioning
Alignment: Lion Equity Needs vs. Delta Driver Capabilities
Lion Equity’s project requires connected operating capabilities across execution management, manufacturing implementation, CapEx coordination, and startup control.
| Project Need | Operating Judgment | Project Management | Personal Care / CPG | CapEx / Equipment | Quality / Startup / Sustainment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manage execution while VP of Operations role remains open | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Translate assessment into execution plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Move high-volume SKUs in-house successfully | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manage bottling, labeling, packaging, and space constraints | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Control quality readiness and finished-good release gates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Commission startup and sustain performance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
How Delta Driver Will Support the Work
Delta Driver uses a practical, stage-gated execution model that keeps leadership focused on milestones, risks, decisions, and measurable progress.
Review and Validate
Review the assessment, validate assumptions, identify risks, confirm constraints, and define open decisions.
Build the Execution Plan
Define timeline, ownership, stage gates, vendor actions, quality requirements, and success metrics.
Lead Implementation
Coordinate the site, suppliers, quality, procurement, maintenance, and operational stakeholders.
Commission and Sustain
Achieve startup readiness, verify performance, and embed systems that sustain results.
Who You’ll Work With
Delta Driver brings senior operators who work directly with portfolio leadership and site teams.
Paul Manring
Operational diligence, manufacturing execution, analytics, Lean Six Sigma, project management, and implementation across PE-backed and CPG environments.
Bob Brennan
Senior manufacturing executive with extensive PE, CPG, personal care, packaging, operational due diligence, diagnostic assessment, and project execution experience.
Owen Schmidt
Supply chain and operations executive with deep experience in sourcing, logistics, P&L leadership, vendor negotiations, enterprise systems, and integrated manufacturing operations.
Next Step: Move From Assessment to Execution
Delta Driver will help Lion Equity and its portfolio company execute the transition with speed, discipline, and confidence—delivering the savings, capacity, and operational control the project was designed to achieve.
```