Director of Business and Operational Support

POSITION: Director of Business and Operational Support

ACCOUNTABILITY: CEO STATUS: Exempt

POSITION OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE:

The Director of Business and Operational Support leads business and operational support efforts to serve production stakeholders through oversight of grow finish operations environmental stewardship and public affairs supply chain maintenance and repair and project management teams. This position provides strategic and financial oversight direction alignment and development of these teams systems and processes to promote safe reliable efficient and cost-effective production throughout the company meeting the needs of the business today and anticipating the needs of the future.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Supervisory responsibility:

The Director of Business and Operational Support shall provide leadership and direction to the following roles:

• Director of Grow Finish Operations
• Director of Environmental Stewardship & Public Affairs
• Supply Chain Manager
• Manager of Maintenance and Repair and
• Construction Project & Nutrient Asset Manager

Supervisory responsibilities for these positions include:

• Lead staff with values of humility care integrity discipline and excellence
• Ensure teams actively engage production stakeholders to ensure alignment and creative problem-solving with production teams
• Recruit interview hire and train staff
• Oversee workflow of the departments
• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Handle discipline and termination of team members in accordance with company policy

Operational support:

• Partner closely with company and production leadership to anticipate operational resource needs fostering strong collaboration and communication within and across departments
• Provide strategic leadership annual planning budget administration and daily oversight of teams in alignment with company values long-term vision current priorities and established policies and procedures
• Ensure responsible management and physical security of all owned operated or rented physical assets and rolling stock including planning project management capital investment lifecycle management insurance coverage and risk mitigation (excluding IT)
• Oversee maintenance programs that optimize property upkeep and equipment life ensure compliance maximize production uptime minimize disruption and provide for human animal and environmental safety
• Ensure a positive public image via property upkeep and operations
• Operational support shall include the following:

• Owned & operated wean/finish physical production assets
• Owned & operated wean/finish warehouse assets

• Sleepy Eye office and warehouse assets
• Company owned and rented housing
• Rolling stock (light fleet wean-finish equipment repair & maintenance equipment)

Business support:

• Lead company-wide organizational business development initiatives due diligence negotiations required insurance coverage contractual agreements and administration that support the strategic direction fulfill company needs and foster mutually beneficial long-term relationships
• Facilitate compilation of all capital expenditure requests for comprehensive review prioritization and decision making by leadership/CEO monitor progress and report against planned expenditures
• Oversee supply chain purchasing and inventory management activities to ensure proper levels of safe effective and compliant product reliable cost-effective sourcing and strong vendor relationships
• Oversee the Animal Welfare team ensuring high standards of animal welfare adherence to best care and handling practices compliance with industry standards and regulatory and contractual requirements
• Oversee environmental functions staying abreast of the dynamic operating landscape to ensure appropriate resource capacity quality services regulatory compliance optimal value capture and sound neighbor regulatory and partner relationships; minimize negative exposure to environmental issues
• Ensure cohesive internal and external communication functions community engagement efforts and government relations that support business needs and genuinely reflect company and family values and priorities
• Facilitate the collection and reporting of operational metrics to measure year-over-year progress identify opportunities and utilize data to inform strategic and annual business planning priorities
• Recognize when legal guidance is required and partner with counsel to proactively assess risks navigate complex issues safeguard the organization and minimize potential exposure

General support:

• Responsible for the timely completion of HR processes for direct and indirect employees in the departments overseen and provide input upon request for other areas of the business
• Build coach and mentor high-performance teams building trust supporting learning and growth and empowering employees to achieve personal and professional success
• Develop maintain and monitor Key Performance Metrics to identify opportunities or out of tolerance events troubleshoot and resolve issues and report performance
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement empowering teams to identify opportunities seek out solutions and technologies implement best practices and utilize data to enhance performance and control costs
• Champion a culture of safety by setting clear expectations ensuring compliance with all safety protocols and proactively addressing risks within the departments and across the company
• Lead by example upholding company values; humility care integrity discipline and excellence and actively coach support and hold teams accountable to demonstrate company values in their daily work.
• Maintain HIPAA and confidentiality

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

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

Additional duties may be assigned as they arise

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10 years progressive experience in business administration operations management or other industry-related field
• Extensive leadership and supervisory experience including oversight of multiple locations and management levels
• Strong business and financial acumen to understand cost structures ROI business case development and analysis
• Ability to proactively identify operational financial legal or reputational risk
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles procedures regulations and best practices in the industry and specific to Schwartz Farms
• Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism; able to represent Schwartz Farms in a positive manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
• Collaborative
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in business administration operations management logistics engineering repair and maintenance project management or other industry-related field
• Project management experience including leading cross-functional initiatives
• Experience in process improvement operational implementation and change management

The preceding qualifications are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience could provide the necessary knowledge skills and abilities to perform this job.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Thinker: Sees the big picture of production and support functions aligns resources with long-term goals seeks out information and perspectives and anticipates operational needs before they emerge
• Systems-Oriented: Understands how maintenance fleet supply chain business development and asset management interconnect and can optimize them as a cohesive system rather than isolated units
• Customer-Focused: Understands internal and external customers ensuring support departments deliver dependable service that strengthens production outcomes
• Operationally Disciplined: Brings rigor to processes planning and execution; holds teams accountable to high standards of safety reliability and performance
• Analytical and Data-Driven: Uses financial and operational data to guide decisions validate improvements and monitor performance across departments
• Adaptable and Resourceful: Navigates changing priorities adjusts plans when needed and identifies creative solutions with limited information or constraints
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Consistently seeks efficiencies embraces data encourages innovation and leads teams to challenge the status quo
• Strong Communicator: Communicates clearly and transparently with both executive and frontline teams ensuring alignment clarity and shared priorities
• Collaborative Leader: Builds strong cross-functional relationships values diverse perspectives and works effectively with production leaders to solve problems and support shared goals
• People Developer: Invests in team growth provides coaching and feedback and builds a culture of trust ownership and empowerment
• Calm and Decisive Under Pressure: Makes informed decisions quickly maintains stability during operational disruptions and provides steady leadership in challenging situations
• High Integrity and Stewardship: Demonstrates responsibility in managing company resources prioritizes safety and upholds organizational values in all decisionsTop of Form

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Position may involve travel and non-standard business hours

Required Experience:

Director