Job description

ABOUT GOTHAM GREENS: Gotham Greens is a leading producer of local, premium-quality, greenhouse-grown vegetables and herbs. The company develops and operates greenhouse facilities in urban areas to ensure consistent, year round, fresh vegetable production. Since building the nation’s first commercial-scale hydroponic urban greenhouse in 2011 Gotham Greens has quickly become a worldwide pioneer in the field of urban agriculture. The company provides its diverse retail, restaurant, and institutional customers with reliable, year-round supply of local produce grown under the highest standards of food safety and environmental sustainability. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Gotham Greens is involved in greenhouse agriculture projects in cities across the United States and internationally.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Gotham Greens is seeking an exceptional individual to lead and manage the company’s Operations team.

The company is currently active in the North East and Midwest Regions with rapid additional expansion plans. The Operations Director will work closely with senior management team to determine and prioritize near and long-term business objectives to set and accomplish milestones and performance goals. The candidate will have to experience to establish operational and administrative procedures, process flows and efficiencies. The Operations Director is responsible for developing and implementing standardized procedures and protocols across the companies facilities in areas including: staff training and management; purchasing and inventory; plant design and process equipment; distribution and logistics; sanitation, safety and compliance; and reporting and analysis.

The Operations Director candidate has experience with packing and warehouse operations, managing inbound and outbound logistics, staff training and shift schedules; and proven success in achieving cost reductions and efficiencies in plant operations. The Operations Director reports directly to the Chief Agriculture Officer and works closely alongside the CEO other company teams. The ideal candidate is passionate about sustainable agriculture and embraces Gotham Greens’ core values and mission. Prior experience in food production and processing in the natural and organic industry is strongly preferred. Experience in the produce category and strong relationships in the Northeast, New England, and Midwest is a plus. This is an opportunity for a driven individual to assume a leadership position at a rapidly growing, innovative, disruptive company in the 21st century food system. The position is based in New York with opportunities to transfer to other company locations in the future.

Responsibilities:

Operations

• Oversee all plant operations across the companies’ production facilities, including packaging, quality control, logistics and distribution
• Manage plant managers and supervisors. Coordinate shift schedules
• Standardize procedures and protocols
• Maintain production and packing areas to ensure operations comply with company quality, sanitation and safety standards
• Coordinate all purchasing and inventory management
• Monitor and continuously improve plant operations re: efficiency, cost reduction and profitability
• Research and implement industry trends and compliance initiatives to evolve operations standards
• Oversee the purchasing for materials and inventory management and finished products
• Identify and rectify areas for cost reduction and program improvement

Team Development and Leadership

• Develop and manage a progressive employee training program in line with company objectives.
• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures are adhered to, improve upon where applicable and train to new hires/transfers
• Provide safe working environment for employees by maintaining the facility and equipment
• Develop and review quality reports/statistics to ensure consistent, quality finished goods
• Work with finance team to review appropriate financial statements, sales and activity reports and other performance data
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 7-10 years of relevant related experience in plant operations with proven success
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational development within a growing organization
• Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise
• Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers
• Successful leadership in early-stage start-ups or other rapid growth environments
• Experience with ERP systems
• Experience with material handling suppliers, trucking and logistics
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and negotiating abilities
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail; highly organized.
• Passionate commitment to company vision
• Appreciation to principles of sustainable agriculture and food
• Experience in specialty food, agriculture, natural and organic CPG a plus
• Strong knowledge of MS Office

Compensation:

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• Health Benefits
• Competitive PTO and Holidays

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline