Shape the Future of a Thriving Family Legacy: COO Opportunity at a Walnut Processing Leader
Imagine shaping the future of a thriving, multi-generational business with a rich family history. As the COO of a leading walnut processing company, you'll have the rare opportunity to:
- Lead explosive growth: Guide a company poised to process 100 million pounds of walnuts within the next 4 years, up from 65+ million this year. Drive efficiency and profitability in a state-of-the-art facility.
- Make a real impact: Be the clear successor to the "President of Operations" role in 5 years. Mentor the next generation of leaders and leave a lasting legacy on the company's future.
- Thrive in a unique culture: Be part of a close-knit, family-owned business where your voice is valued. Enjoy strong employee morale, open communication, and a collaborative spirit.
- Embrace sustainability: Contribute to a company committed to eco-friendly practices, including solar power and waste-to-energy solutions. Make a positive difference for the environment.
- Live in a beautiful setting: Work at a cutting-edge facility in Glenn, CA, near the Sacramento River and surrounded by the beauty of the Northern Sacramento Valley. Enjoy an excellent work-life balance.
More than just a job, this is a chance to:
- Leadership: Collaborates with CEO, company leadership team, and BOD to develop and execute strategic plans for business growth and expansion.
- Inherit a modern facility: Lead a team of 115+ employees in a newly built, well-equipped plant with exciting expansion plans.
- Champion innovation: Be part of a team that embraces continuous improvement and explores new business development opportunities.
- Be yourself: Work in a genuine and supportive environment where individuality is celebrated.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plant Operations (40%): Optimize production, maximize efficiency, implement best practices, and ensure safety compliance.
- Team Development (25%): Mentor and coach direct reports, develop leaders, and foster a collaborative team culture.
- Strategic Leadership & Business Development (15%): Partner with leadership to drive growth, identify opportunities, and translate strategy into action.
- Financial Results (10%): Manage budgets, track performance, and ensure financial success.
- Regulatory Compliance (5%): Oversee safety, food safety, and environmental compliance.
- Professional Development (5%): Continuously learn, network, and contribute to the industry.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, economics, agriculture, or other relevant course of study.
- MBA is strongly preferred, or some combination of relevant graduate level certification programs in general business, leadership, finance & accounting, marketing, organizational development, or other relevant course of study.
Experience:
- 15+ years in manufacturing operations management, with increasing levels of responsibility and scope leading to the director, GM, VP, or COO level.
- Preference for considerable experience in food manufacturing/processing/packing.
- Previous experience as a plant manager with end-to-end operations responsibility is preferred.
- Experience making board of director presentations and building board member relationships.
- Proven track record of developing/mentoring a team of department managers, leading to future advancement.
- Experience managing complex capital construction projects.
- Experience implementing Lean manufacturing or similar continuous improvement initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of pertinent food industry regulations, i.e., food safety, OSHA, environmental, CA labor law, etc.
- Strong financial acumen required: financial reporting, budgets, financial metrics, data analytics, etc.
- Knowledge in food/commodity sales, sufficient to augment production experience, is preferred.
- Ability to create a high-trust, high-accountability culture across the organization.
- Ability to communicate at basic levels or above in Spanish is a plus.
- Knowledge of innovative technologies emerging out of the food industry.
- Adept at facilitating healthy conflict among peers and direct reports is critical.
- Ability to step into a larger operations leadership role in the future is critical.
Competitive Benefits Package:
Health & Financial:
- Comprehensive medical plan with HSA option and company contributions.
- Generous dental and vision coverage.
- 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan with company match and potential profit sharing.
- Long-Term Disability Insurance.
- Competitive salary and annual bonus program.
Time Off & Wellness:
- Generous paid time off (PTO) accrual, increasing with tenure.
- 7 paid holidays per year.
- Free Employee Assistance Program with confidential counseling and resources.
Additional Perks:
- Life and AD&D insurance.
- Family-friendly work environment.
For full details and eligibility requirements, please refer to the complete Benefits Summary.
If you're a seasoned operations leader who meets our Position Requirement, thrives in a collaborative, family-oriented environment, and you're ready to make a significant impact, we want to hear from you.
You can learn more about us here and in the videos below!
Our company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.
This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits and termination.
