Area Operations Manager

Job Brief

Reporting to the Chief of Operations, the Agronomy Operations Leader is an exempt position. The Agronomy Ops Leader provides overall leadership and direction to the operations aspects of all Agronomy-only location. All Agronomy Location Team Leaders report directly to the Agronomy Ops Leader.

Leadership:

• Create an environment and culture that focuses on fulfilling the mission and core values of co-op.
• Model co-op values to meet the needs of employees, customers, and the community.
• Provide overall leadership and direction to the operations components with prioritized focus on the location.
• Lead, hire, onboard, and manage employees.
• Provide recognition and feedback to employees, including addressing performance that does not meet expectations in a respectful and timely manner.
• Actively participate as a member of the organization’s management team.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with staff, volunteers, clients, visitors, as well as business leaders, external agencies, etc.
• Represents the interests of co-op in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Take overall responsibility for the safe and efficient daily operation of production at grain locations.
• Ensure compliance to all relevant laws and regulations.
• Work to achieve performance and financial targets of co-op.
• Run necessary reports.
• Maintain budgets and optimize expenses.
• Evaluate and improve operations and financial performance across all Agronomy-only operations locations.
• Provide leadership on issues facing the organization, working collectively with managers, and understanding all aspects of the business.
• Actively participate in the business planning process with the management team.
• Develop and implement cost saving initiatives to improve operational performance.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Previous experience working in a plant or manufacturing setting.
• Previous experience leading and managing employees.
• High school education or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Ability to engage, inspire, coach and influence team members.
• Effective team player and networker.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Previous experience or background working in the cooperative system or agricultural industry strongly desired.
• Willingness to travel to multiple facilities and build relationships with location staff and leadership.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position:

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person