THE COMPANY

Our client is a leading provider of food solutions.

THE POSITION

The COO is accountable for the operational success by positively influencing the health of the organization through managing financial performance, employee engagement and support of the core values: accountability, community, customer focus, empowerment, integrity and respect.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees the operational management and leadership of the business to achieve overall plans and objectives. Leads operations by ensuring that safety, customer satisfaction, quality, P&L and schedule commitments are met or exceeded. The COO owns all short- and long-term operational performance aspects of the business.
• Leads by example. Promotes a culture of engagement, cooperation and innovation – staying true to the commitment and trade brand identified with employees and customers alike.
• Manages the overall P&L, assuring the effective allocation and management of all resources. Leads and oversees the development of annual FY business plans, objectives and initiatives to ensure growth and performance of the business. Ensures specific initiatives are implemented proactively for favorable results. Balances innovation, risk, cost and profitability.
• In conjunction with senior leadership team and the Chief Revenue Officer, identifies strategic long- and short-term potential new business opportunities. Sponsors and supports new business activity through proposal, negotiation, award and execution to establish customer intimacy moving forward.
• Leads the integration of operations, processes and policies – where practical – with parent company. Identifies potential synergies and oversees implementation for increased efficiency, effectiveness and economic value.
• With a sense of urgency, ensures focus on identifying, negotiating and obtaining the highest quality commodity flow to meet production, quality and cost requirements. Reviews monthly with operations and finance to establish proactive review, pricing and schedules to optimize production and fulfillment.
• Reviews total operations, systems and production output and Lean processes to implement metrics including but not limited to safety, quality, workflow, delivery and First Time Through (FTQ, FTY), etc.
• Assesses current production capability working with leadership team and employees to identify opportunities for process improvement, Lean methodologies, flow and continuous improvement. Drives innovation to ensure increased efficiency, consistency, highest quality, on-time delivery and safety.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, food science or equivalent required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Ten to 15 years of P&L experience with progressive responsibility in a world-class food production company. Ideal candidate will have had full P&L experience greater than $250M across several national accounts.
• Experience with USDA regulations and SQF or BRC Quality Standards.
• Strong commodities experience.