DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS - Soli Organic

Job Type
Full-time
Description
At Soli Organic, we want to change the way people access organic, sustainable, and affordable food by revolutionizing what nature does best: growing healthy, flavorful plants. We take what we know about the biology of growing the best produce, and then use technology to optimize nature's processes. We do all of this in our proprietary, USDA-certified organic, soil-based, indoor system. For us, everything begins with soil; it is the foundational building blocks that enable us to provide an ecosystem in which plants can thrive.
Over the past 30 years, we've seen this mission spread beyond our wildest dreams. Today, we are an integrated food solutions group with a nation-wide presence, and an ambitious drive to continue to have a positive impact for consumers. So how did we reach this far? We are constantly learning from nature, and we are taking those lessons in innovative ways and creative solutions that will serve the community of consumers who are looking for flavorful, healthy, and sustainable produce options.
The Director of Operations is the senior-most leader of one or more full-scale Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities plus all geographically separated but supporting packing and shipping operations. The primary distinction between a Director of Operations and a General Manager is the responsibility for multi-site operations. The role is responsible for all facets of these sites including compliance with food safety, physical safety, employment and all other applicable laws and regulations. She/He establishes systems and procedures for operating efficiency and achieving performance metrics. The Director of Operations ensures labor, supplies, and working conditions are optimized for uninterrupted operations. Success in selecting, developing, managing, and retaining talent, as well as building high-performance teams, are key in this pivotal leadership position. She/He is driven by challenge and success in a fast-paced, high-growth working environment and is passionate about leading people and operations for both current and future success.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITY:

• Direct and manage multi-site operations to achieve site and corporate targets within Company policies and procedures.
• Responsible for achievement of multi-site profit goals, workplace safety, food safety, teammate relations, asset stewardship, and working conditions.
• Provide clear and timely operational directives to direct reports.
• Compile, analyze and report key site financial and performance data, ensuring all key performance metrics for multiple sites are met and course corrections or redirections are made as may be needed to reach targets.
• Enforce and comply with all GMP/HACCP and Safety rules and regulations. Attend and/or conduct Safety meetings as required.
• Responsible for developing and implementing strategy to ensure customer satisfaction through close collaboration with sales team.
• Develop and execute multi-site annual budget and production plan.
• Perform labor planning for optimal staffing levels and cost-effective site operations.
• Analyze unit costs by SKU to maximize profitability.
• Compile data and analyze profitability daily to determine site's achievement toward monthly targets.
• Responsible for overseeing ongoing and preventative maintenance is performed at all sites as needed and work with each site's operations manager, maintenance manager, and senior grower to verify that the facility and equipment are always kept in optimal operating condition.
• Motivate and foster highly engaged site leadership teams, including implementing development plans for everyone.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts in all areas, using lean six-sigma best practices.
• Oversee the development, training and implementation of site standard operating procedures (SOP's) in accordance with Soli Organic best practices.
• Manage performance across all teams through positive recognition, guiding through ongoing coaching, and ensuring disciplinary/corrective actions are implemented in accordance with Company policies and procedures

Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's degree or high school diploma/GED and equivalent work experience (10+ years).
Experience: Minimum of 10 years management experience in food manufacturing, logistics, or production/manufacturing plant operations work environment, demonstrated leadership skills, demonstrated team building skills, including demonstrated ability to motivate others. Knowledge of process improvement techniques and of project management principles and practices. Prior experience managing multiple sites a plus.
Language Fluency: No specific language requirements; bi-lingual English/Spanish fluency preferred
Technology: MS Office Suite, Word, including advanced Excel, Outlook, and strong keyboarding skillsets required
Licensure: No specific licensure required.
Credentials: No specific professional credentials required. OSHA certification and lean six-sigma green belt (or higher) a plus.
About Soli Organic:
We believe that accessing organic, sustainable, flavorful foods provides an opportunity for people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures to enjoy high quality produce. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity in the workplace equally and ensure that everyone feels a sense of inclusion, participation and belonging. We also aim to extend this commitment to the partners we work with and the communities we serve. We are constantly listening, learning, and evolving to deliver on these principles. We are proud of our collaborative culture. Our diverse employee population shares our fundamental core values of Respect for All Individuals, Customer Obsession and Winning as One Team, which creates a culture that attracts top talent, forming the foundation for a great place to work!
At Soli Organic, we embrace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. As part of the Company's commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable accommodations, up to the point of undue hardship, to candidates at any stage, including to individuals with disabilities.
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