Plant General Manager

COMPANY:

Headquartered in Orlando, FL, Kalera is a science and technology-driven company dedicated to growing the very best possible produce; it is smart horticulture at its best. As the technology leaders in urban vertical farming, Kalera focuses on clean, safe, healthy, tasty greens and on the efficiencies of growing locally in controlled environments.

Founded in 2010, Kalera has, over several years, perfected unique hydroponic growing methods combining optimized nutrients and light recipes, precise environmental controls, and clean room standards to produce safe, highly nutritious, pesticide-free, non-GMO vegetables with consistent high quality and longer shelf life year-round. With indoor facilities situated right where the demand is, Kalera is able to supply an abundance of produce locally, eliminating the need for long distance shipping. This means Kalera can ensure the highest quality and freshness by delivering product to customers within hours of harvest year-round. Kalera's plants grow while consuming 95% less water compared to field farming. 

Kalera has recently opened a new state-of-the-art growing facility in Orlando, FL. With an annual output of over five million heads of lettuce per year, this new facility is the highest production volume vertical farm in the Southeast US. The rapidly constructed facility also demonstrates Kalera’s ability to quickly build and open farms around the US and internationally. Having recently announced new facilities in Atlanta, Houston and Denver to open in early 2021, Kalera has aggressive near-term expansion plans both domestically and internationally.

For more information please visit www.kalera.com, along with supplemental media coverage:

·      Kalera film

·      Global Newswire article - Kalera opens new vertical farming facility in Orlando

·      Forbes article - farm of the future

·      Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue Visits Kalera

·      Orlando Sentinel Article

REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:

The Plant General Manager reports to the Chief Operating Officer and has full responsibility for one of Kalera’s state-of-the-art controlled agriculture growing facilities.

Summary:

The Plant Manager will oversee all daily operations of the plant from production and manufacturing to ensuring policies and procedures are followed. They develop processes that will maximize stewardship, safety, quality and productivity.  The role will be responsible for demonstrating leadership that reflects Kalera’s culture and values

Essential Duties:

·         Responsible for daily management of the entire plant operation and support functions

·         Full P&L responsibility for state-of-the-art growing facility

·         Ensure that the facility is operating and producing product that meets food safety and quality standards

·         Enforce strict Good Manufacturing Practices, Sanitation and Safety Standards

·         Ensure operation is fully compliant with all regulations related to food safety, employee safety, food processing, and employment laws

·         Plan and implement equipment, production and labor goals

·         Develop succession plan to ensure continuity of operations in the face of unforeseen turnover

·         Create and develop new methods, operations procedures, and systems in production management and team management to improve efficiency and performance.

·         Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

·         Bachelor’s degree or its equivalency in experience and/or training

·         5 years of experience in leading high performing teams

·         Demonstrated success as a manager of people and process

·         Demonstrated ability to work, manage, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high volume environment and on deadline; aptitude for problem solving and decision making needed

·         Demonstrated ability to identify, recommend and implement best practice approaches that deliver rapid, consistent, high-quality service

·         Proficient with Excel, Powerpoint, Word

·         Experience with PowerBI and/or MS Dynamics a plus

·         Must be flexible and willing to work the demands of a 365 day a year operation which may be subject to evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Kalera, Inc. all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.