Regional Operations Manager

Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level As a Regional Operations Manager at Schwartz Farms Inc. you will play a pivotal role in transforming the animal care industry while working alongside passionate professionals who value excellence and integrity overseeing general operations and ensuring the highest standards of animal care are met.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US:

Schwartz Farms Inc. was founded in 1978 and at the time was predominantly involved in crop farming. Although Schwartz Farms is still involved in farming todays primary operations are within the pork industry. Schwartz Farms Inc. employs over 550 full-time individuals and owns sows in the upper Midwest predominantly in Minnesota Kansas Iowa South Dakota and Nebraska. We also utilize approximately 300 independent contractors. As a premier pork producer Schwartz Farms embraces itself for a challenging and rewarding future.

POSITION OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE:

The Regional Operations Manager is responsible for supporting production and administrative functions via oversight of general operations & assets within the assigned region. The Regional Operations Manager shall identify execute & collaborate to achieve company goals & standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Asset management:

The Regional Operations Manager shall be responsible for the upkeep of all owned and leased properties & other physical assets within the assigned region via:

• Oversight of assigned repair & maintenance department to include staffing equipment tools rolling stock supply and parts inventory levels
• Approval of expenditures for repair & maintenance department
• Submission of work information to payroll and accounting in a timely & accurate manner for repair & maintenance department
• Coordination and management of vendors providing repair & maintenance and construction- related services to farms including oversight of bidding process approval of invoices and obtaining insurance certificates
• Upkeep of production assets including supplies fixtures and office equipment
• Upkeep of company facilities including:
  • Weed rodent & insect control
  • Mowing & snow removal
  • Yard and driveway maintenance
  • Structural repairs to buildings and manure storage structures
  • Equipment repairs & replacements
  • Rolling stock & material handling
  • Office equipment
  • Emergency backup systems
• Assurance that production locations have operating supplies tools equipment and parts necessary to uphold company standards
• Rolling stock upkeep and licensing ensure related Co. policies are adhered to make recommendations for replacement and upgrades to Director of Farrowing Operations
• Forecasting and budgeting of expenditures for future needs seeking approval by Director of Farrowing Operations for expenditures exceeding $10000
• Development and implementation of maintenance recordkeeping system
• Monthly review of overhead cost reports within area of responsibility; identify and implement corrective actions as required
• Where applicable oversight of truck wash & drying facility including:
  • Upkeep of facility yards grounds & operating systems / equipment
  • Staff and staffing levels
  • Collaboration with company production management to review and establish biosecurity protocols
  • Compliance with regulatory permitting and waste disposal requirements including record keeping and reporting

Regulatory compliance & manure management:

The Regional Operations Manager shall coordinate & ensure regulatory compliance (i.e. environmental feedlot misc.) as follows:

• Ensure proper and timely manure handling and recordkeeping via:
  • Livestock facility operating permits
  • Environmental permits
  • Building & burning permits
  • Miscellaneous permits
• Monitor manure storage structures to ensure adequate storage levels and compliance
• Monitor and take action as required to deal with out of ordinary manure conditions (i.e. foaming crusting water usage buildup of solids etc.)
• Engage and coordinate with third party vendors to ensure the safe timely removal of manure from storage structures as well as compliance related to manure handling / management application and storage structures and insurance requirements

Staffing and vendor management:

Where appropriate the Regional Operations Manager shall manage staff and vendors within assigned region as follows:

• Demonstrate Schwartz Farms values of integrity respect excellence and adaptability
• Staff within area of responsibility may or may not include repair & maintenance manager maintenance technicians and/or truck wash or drying facility staff
• Ensure talent management including proper staffing levels timely performance & rate reviews training and development safety recognition disciplinary action and terminations
• Support and maintain compliance with company standards and human resource policies including driving standards

Employee safety & biosecurity:

Collaborate with and follow direction of safety and biosecurity manager and production management to support production in the following:

• Provide timely safety training and/or follow-up
• Report and take corrective action regarding unsafe conditions
• Promote safe work habits
• Ensure practical biosecurity measures at non-productions sites (i.e. shop office feed mill truck wash etc.)
• Communicate biosecurity procedures and compliance at production sites when scheduling visits by repair & maintenance supply deliveries independent contractors vendors and visitors in a timely fashion

Animal welfare:

Collaborate with production and animal welfare staff to ensure compliance with the following:

• Advocate and engage in SFIs animal welfare policy including promoting animal well-being remedying circumstances which impede animal care and properly reporting instances of mistreatment or abuse
• Comply with company and industry standards
• Coordinate logistics of animal welfare site audits as directed
• Coordinate proper training and certifications for company personnel & appropriate third party vendors including but not limited to PQA & TQA
• As directed ensure timely corrective action

Miscellaneous:

• Collaborate with production to ensure third party transporters & other providers are adhering to written agreements & insurance requirements
• Retain & manage all documentation related to required scheduled production site emergency backup equipment monitoring and audits
• Implement appropriate record keeping with area of responsibility
• Collaborate with CFO/COO/Director of Farrowing Operations as directed to assemble maintenance and capital budgets
• Represent Schwartz Farms in a professional and ethical manner

The preceding statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed. Additional duties may be assigned as they arise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated strong team leadership and collaboration skills prior leadership / management experience is necessary.
• 3 years of training and progressive work experience such as on-the-job experience vocational training apprenticeship and/or relevant licensing
• Construction mechanical and/or electrical proficiency including knowledge of facilities barn equipment machines and tools etc.
• Excellent communication people and organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Able to address escalated issues
• Understanding of production practices and supply chains
• Ability to interpret financial reports
• Project management skills

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2 year or equivalent vocational degree
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Relocation may be required
• Position may involve travel and non-standard business hours and overnight stays.
• Incumbent may carry out several different tasks in a day at any number of locations.

Required Experience:

Manager