Vice President of West Operations

• Overall responsibility for plant and warehouse execution against financial targets and creating methods and efficiencies to achieve safety, quality, profits, and efficiencies.  Defines and recommends plant, warehouse, maintenance, and facility budgets and objectives.  In alignment with company strategies, develop specific short and long range plans and programs and supporting budgets.
• Direct the plant, warehouse, facility, and maintenance managers and supervisors in the execution of their responsibilities to ensure the following are met: operations objectives for production and warehousing with respect to quality and quantity of products specified and ensuring all employees operate within established G.M.P.’s, plant rules and regulations with a high level of food and worker safety and quality.
• Plan and determine manpower requirements based on an understanding of company goals and objectives.  Recommend procedural improvements and projects to facilitate new product production, warehousing, and shipping processes, methodologies.
• Through management of personnel, ensure inventory controls, inventory levels and flow of materials, including shipment of finished product, are consistent with budget and forecasts for plant operations and sales requirements (of various clients).
• Through management of personnel, ensure employees are motivated, by encouraging optimum productivity with minimum down time. Develop, train, assist and advise managers and supervisors and administer company policies and procedures knowledgeably.  Encourage employee communication, cross functional interaction/teamwork, and endorse an open door policy.
• Contribute to management teams responsible for organized change, problem recognition/ resolution resulting in cost reductions, work simplifications, method improvements and work aids.
• Responsible for the Salinas site facility and equipment used in the processing, warehousing, and shipment of salads, including the direct installation and maintenance of all equipment used in the plant processing operations and warehousing/shipping operations.
• Oversee and participate in the interview/selection process of hiring.  Assure a safe working environment for employees and secure necessary training to meet needs and regulations.  Maintain ongoing and scheduled employee appraisal processes including wage considerations, promotions and job transfer.
• Act as a liaison between the Executive Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, the Director of Human Resources and other internal compliance areas and the workforce, concerning problems as they pertain to the company.  Keep staff informed on matters of new policy, procedures, company philosophy and decisions.
• In partnership with the Director of Human Resources, act as liaison between the Company and the Union.  This is a shared partnership and includes: attending Labor/Management meetings; meeting with the Union regarding complaints, grievances, questions; drafting and presenting Letters of Understanding/Agreement to amend the Collective Bargaining Agreement; Collective Bargaining Agreement contract negotiations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises the Director of Manufacturing, Warehouse Manager, Raw Material Receiving Manager, and Maintenance/Facilities Manager. 
• The VP of West Operations has overall responsibility for all processing, warehousing, maintenance, and facilities employees through the direction of the Director of Manufacturing, Warehouse Manager, Maintenance/Facilities Manager and Supervisors.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.