Natural Choice Foods has entrusted Management Business Solutions as a strategic recruitment partner in their pursuit of a Chief Operating Officer to join their office in Marne, MI. Aligned with Natural Choice Foods’ robust talent strategies, we have meticulously structured our processes to adeptly identify, screen, and recruit qualified candidates for this pivotal opening.
Natural Choice Foods collaborates with a wide range of food suppliers to address excess inventory challenges, mitigate expiration risks, and improve profit margins. With over 25 years of industry expertise, NCF serves as a trusted partner, transforming surplus products into profitable opportunities while ensuring rigorous brand protection and reliability.
As specialists in the secondary market, NCF manages over 200 supplier and customer transactions each week. A key driver of their success is their cutting-edge packaging facility, where they repackage private-label products under a proprietary house brand for resale. This capability is supported by their in-house logistics team and a network of five company-owned retail outlets in West Michigan, allowing them to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end solutions tailored to the evolving needs of their partners.
SUMMARY : The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key leader responsible for driving scalable growth while ensuring efficiency, productivity, and operational excellence across Repack, Warehouse, Logistics, and Facilities. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will develop and implement strategies that support business expansion, increased capacity utilization, and continuous improvement in operations.
This role will focus on optimizing cost structures, enhancing quality, and improving customer satisfaction while preparing the company for long-term growth and scalability. The COO will be instrumental in building infrastructure, streamlining processes, and leveraging innovation to support the company’s evolving needs as it expands its market presence and operational capabilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
Operational Excellence & Efficiency :
- Drive operational efficiency by optimizing workflows, reducing bottlenecks, and ensuring seamless coordination across departments.
- Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by maximizing uptime, throughput, and quality while reducing waste and downtime.
- Ensure capacity utilization is aligned with production goals and future growth projections.
- Implement best practices to enhance time to market, ensuring quick and cost-effective order fulfillment.
- Establish KPIs and data-driven strategies to enhance productivity and performance.
Cost Management & Financial Oversight :
Manage and reduce cost by optimizing throughput and reducing downtime.Oversee budgeting and cost control measures for all operational functions.Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality, safety, or customer satisfaction.Collaborate with Finance to monitor key financial metrics and drive profitability improvements.Productivity & Workforce Management :
Enhance staff productivity by implementing training programs, performance incentives, and workforce optimization strategies.Foster a high-performance culture through leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement initiatives.Align staffing levels with operational needs to ensure efficiency without excess labor costs.Quality & Customer Satisfaction :
Maintain and improve the Quality Index by ensuring all products meet company and regulatory standards (USDA / FDA / SQF).Implement continuous improvement programs to reduce rework and waste in repack.Ensure high customer satisfaction through on-time, accurate, and high-quality product deliveries.Project Management & Continuous Improvement :
Lead and oversee projects that streamline operations and drive sustainable growth.Implement Lean and / or other process improvement methodologies to increase productivity and reduce costs.Evaluate and integrate new technologies and automation solutions to enhance operational effectiveness and growth.Building and Lease Management :
Develop and execute the company’s real estate strategy, including site selection, lease negotiations, and property acquisitions to support expansion goals.Lead new store development projects from site selection to grand opening, ensuring alignment with business objectives, budgets, and timelines.Manage relationships with landlords, brokers, developers, and contractors to secure favorable lease terms and ensure successful project execution.Oversee construction and remodeling projects, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure quality, cost control, and timely completion.Analyze market trends, demographics, and financial data to identify optimal locations for expansion and assess investment viability.Safety & Compliance :
Maintain a strong safety culture by tracking and improving the safety incident rate across all operational areas.Ensure full compliance with OSHA, USDA, FDA, SQF, and other regulatory requirements.Implement and enforce safety protocols to reduce workplace injuries and improve employee well-being.Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement :
Collaborate with Sales, Finance, and HR to align operations with company objectives.Partner with vendors, suppliers, and logistics partners to ensure efficiency and reliability in the supply chain.Work closely with leadership to drive innovation and operational enhancements.Key Outcomes and Metrics :
Scalable Processes : Implementation speed for new products.Enhanced Operational Efficiency : Improve throughput, with an increase in units produced per hour / day.Cost Management : Monitor labor and material costs monthly to ensure they align with production targets.Alignment with Business Growth : Demonstrate production scalability, with the capability to increase output.QUALIFICATIONS :
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field (MBA preferred).10 years in operations and manufacturing leadership roles, preferably within the food industry.Proven success in building and scaling processes in a growth-focused or startup-like manufacturing environment.Experience managing production teams and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.Deep understanding of lean manufacturing principles and tools (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma).Familiarity with machinery design, maintenance, and optimization.Understanding of FDA & USDA, quality standards, and industry best practices.Proficiency in using manufacturing software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.Strong ability to mentor and develop teams in dynamic, fast-paced environments.Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, track operational KPIs, and align manufacturing operations with strategic business objectives.MANAGEMENT BUSINESS SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
