Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Integrator Job description
The Chief Operating Officer will help position the business for its next chapter of growth. A successful candidate will be equally comfortable in the board room as well as getting into the weeds to solve problems across the organization and it’s facilities. The COO will execute the business plan and achieve P&L results by leading, managing, and holding the operations teams accountable. They will remove obstacles and barriers, manage major projects, standardize and systematize work, and integrate all major functions of the business. The COO will work with the CEO to filter and translate ideas into the functional plans of the business. The COO will report to the CEO and have responsibility for managing all areas of the business including processing, production, maintenance, compliance, and health and safety.
Duties/ Responsibilities:
- Partner with the CEO to develop the company strategy, define attainable goals and on short and long-term planning.
- Executes the business plan, achieving or exceeding planned P&L objectives.
- Leads, manages, and holds the daily operations teams accountable for achieving agreed-upon commitments.
- Integrates all major operating functions of the business including Processing, Production, Feedmill, Maintenance, Compliance, Property Management, and Asset Management. Ensures everyone is rowing together in the same direction on the same schedules. Models the way, always working toward the greater good of the business.
- Ensures that everyone is truly following, and adhering too, the company’s biosecurity protocols, human safety procedures, and food safety plans.
- Oversee recordkeeping for egg quality, sanitation, bird health and food safety. Help to recognize, diagnose and resolve related issues.
- Work and communicate with third-party vendors / partners for feed procurement, veterinary services, etc.
- Oversee shipping and receiving. Work with customers / suppliers to meet order deadlines, quantity and quality.
- Resolves issues quickly and effectively – seeing real problems, being comfortable with conflict, calling out the problems, and solving the problems in a practical and healthy manner. Ensures the operations team is healthy, functional, and cohesive.
- Ensures that everyone is truly following, and adhering too, the company’s core processes and operating system with consistency. Demonstrates effective project management and continuous improvement skills. Uses both skills to evolve company core processes.
- Effectively collaborates with the CEO to always remain aligned. Maintains a high level of mutual respect with the CEO. Realizes the unique contributions and ideas that the CEO has and possesses an ability to filter and translate those ideas into functional plans for the company.
- Confirms that all key messages are properly and consistently cascaded across the organization. Inherently ensures that everyone is in the know. Verifies that a high level of effective communication exists throughout the organization.
- To create maximum value for the company’s stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years of senior leadership experience in an agricultural or commodity industry
- Previous experience with Layer / Poultry or Livestock health preferred
- Experience around structuring incentive-based compensation for organizations is preferred
- Collaborative nature as demonstrated by management experience across multiple departments and disciplines
- Highly analytical; able to make data-driven decisions and establish effective metrics.
- A “player-coach” who can both manage teams and get into the weeds when necessary.
- Is driven by independent thinking and distinct goals to accomplish
- Communicates directly and focus on the immediate operational needs of the company
- Manages by teaching, and leading through a hands-on approach
- Is motivated by a quick pace, and the precise execution of time sensitive projects
- Must be able to develop a very high level of trust with the CEO
