Position Summary: 

The Director of Farm Operations is responsible for all production and growing related activities in the farm. This includes leading and managing all growing, production, logistics, food safety, and worker safety systems and practices, as well as the leadership and management  of the people within the farm. The purpose of the Farm Manager is to direct and manage the farm’s overall operational activities, to develop and implement effective operations programs, to ensure worker safety, system efficiency, and product quality, and to attract, develop and retain talent in order to achieve established operational and financial objectives. 

Essential Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership

1. Oversight over farm production activities in the farm
2. Create and drive initiatives to increase the productivity and profitability of the farm operations, embodying a constant-improvement mindset for managing the farm
3. Set goals and objectives for all aspects of farm operations, manage reporting and progress towards those goals in alignment with quality and food safety standards
4. Ensure cross-functional alignment in day-to-day operations, communication, and planning within the farm and with Vertical Harvest HQ
5. Ensure adherence to food safety, worker safety, compliance, and operational SOPs
6. Provide oversight over employee hiring, training, performance, and retention programs, aligning farm operations with the Grow Well Employment model
7. Provide insights and learning around operations to inform future products and activities

Farm Completion & Launch:

1. Lead the optimization of production ramp up
2. Create systems with team and Farm Ops on achieving steady state production
3. Implement manufacturing best practices for continuous improvement
4. Align operational excellence with supporting employees in realizing each individual’s potential and productivity

Production

1. Manage the farm with operational excellence
2. Meet production and financial goals
3. Drive company mission
4. Collaboration with other departments, e.g. HP, marketing, etc., on community engagement
5. Look for opportunities to increase profitability through operations
6. Constant improvement mindset around operational excellence and realizing employee’s individual potential

Team Leadership:

1. Lead and motivate the team to achieve goals, aligning operational goals with human potential and productivity
2. Foster a positive, inclusive work environment

Requirements:

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: 

1. College Degree or higher
2. 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or related fields, in a fast paced environment 
3. Experience in food manufacturing or indoor agriculture
4. Demonstrated track record of operational excellence, building and implementing operational systems, managing people and teams towards goals
5. Strong P&L management experience with ability to drive towards financial and operational targets

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: 

1. Employee-Centered Mindset
2. Safety-first mindset
3. Management/leadership experience
4. Decisive and action-orientation
5. Strategic systems thinker
6. Results driven, energetic, confident personality
7. Excellent communication & collaboration  skills
8. Able to work independently and as part of a team
9. Excellent record keeping / documentation / organizational skills
10. Able to manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects simultaneously
11. Extremely observant, detail-oriented, and data obsessed
12. Comfortable in fast paced environment, flexible when demands change
13. Aware and inclusive of others
14. Embodies Vertical Harvest values of dynamic growth, inclusivity, ingenuity, transparency, empowerment, compassion
15. Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions