Director of Operations

A growing fresh produce importer and distributor seeks an operations leader to oversee a new cold storage, warehouse, and packing facility. The Director of Operations will oversee the successful operations of the facility, work daily with the management team (including finance, food safety, human resources, maintenance, and warehouse), ensure continuous improvement, and drive transformation.

Experience overseeing all aspects of a fresh produce packing and cold storage facility is sought.Bilingual (English and Spanish) desired but not mandatory. Position is based in southern New Jersey.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operations Management Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring the facility runs efficiently and meets production targets. Utilize data to identify any gaps in the process and offer solutions by applying predictive and/or preventative strategies. Utilize systems to provide greater visibility into the overall operation. Define roadmaps, analyze all procedures and processes, and optimize them as needed to streamline operations and maintain quality.
• Production Oversight Working with the production team, ensure the use of semi-automated equipment to maximize efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain the highest quality standards.
• Team Leadership Lead and mentor the operations team, fostering a culture of accountability,
• collaboration, and continuous improvement. Promote a stable work environment with open lines of communication with subordinates. Create a culture of accountability and ownership.
• Supply Chain & Inventory Management Make sure that the daily flow of products is sustained and that any disruptions to the supply chain are minimized.
• Quality Control Oversee the quality control processes to ensure all products meet our high standards.
• Safety & Compliance Champion a strong safety culture by ensuring strict adherence to health and safety policies, GMP standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Strategic Planning Isolate and prioritize key initiatives for the short and long term – communicate continually to ensure collective understanding, focus, collaboration, and team ownership from the floor up and to all relevant stakeholders. Track performance against objectives and provide feedback to team members and service vendors. Develop and uphold standardized performance monitoring protocols in line with best practices.
• Cost Management Provide input on budgeting and forecasting for operations-related expenses.
• Logistics & Distribution Ensure shipping and distribution processes are in place to promote timely and accurate delivery of products across the U.S.
• Market Maintenance & Expansion Support efforts to expand into new markets during the winter season. Engage in direct communication and negotiation with both external and internal customers, while collaborating cross-functionally with sales and procurement to ensure alignment of operational strategy with business goals. Hold service vendors accountable to ensure the delivery of what was promised to S&L’s customers, including the correct product/quality, proper packaging/labeling, accurate customer details, and timely delivery.

Competencies Sought:

• Proven experience leading operations in a regulated environment (GMP, HACCP, FSMA).
• Ability to manage by influence instead of authority when collaborating within the organization.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group in a dynamic environment and motivate them to work together as a team.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to communicate within all levels of the organization.
• Holistic thinking, kind but direct communication.
• Proven ability to effectively mediate disputes with and between team members, utilizing strong communication and active listening skills to reach mutually agreeable solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to actively listen to and consider innovative approaches and suggestions, readily adapting to new ideas and perspectives.
• Knowledge of cost accounting, budgeting, or fiscal management principles and procedures.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to drive and achieve results (with a focus on process optimization and cost control).
• Attention to detail while maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective.
• Microsoft Office proficiency and ERP systems experience.
• Experience managing and influencing third-party service partners to execute per contracted obligations – the ability to hold them accountable.
• A valid driver’s license with a reliable vehicle to commute during the week (and sometimes on Saturdays) to the local office is required.
• Spanish speaking a plus.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, business Administration, or a related field. An MBA is a plus.
• 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing/warehouse management.
• Proven leadership and people management skills in a high-paced, multicultural environment.
• Proven track record of leadership development amongst a team and a personality that seeks to achieve goals with a lead-by-example approach.
• PSA/FDA experience a plus.

Competitive salary and benefits package. For more information, contact Tara at tara@producecareers.com