Job Description:
Established in 2003, GoldRiver Orchards was born from Barton Ranch, a multi-generation family business focused on providing premium California Walnuts to customers around the world since 1912. GoldRiver Orchards is the marketing and manufacturing arm of the business and over the last 20 years has earned its reputation as a high-quality, high integrity Walnut Packer, exporting to premier spec markets such as Japan and South Korea. We are committed to being continually recognized as the premier global provider of fresh, healthy, quality walnut products.
We are currently looking for an experienced and well-versed Director of Operations / Senior Plant Manager. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing the company's operations team in its Escalon, CA location. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Operations will oversee the overall activities of the manufacturing facility to ensure adherence to good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures while meeting customers' requirements and maintaining time and cost efficiency. The Director of Operations is accountable for the continuous operation of a 24/7 manufacturing facility.
The role requires the ability to occasionally work nights, weekends, and overtime, especially during our harvest months.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Direct and manage plant operations for Production, Packaging, Maintenance, Safety, Sanitation, and Shipping & Receiving; set goals and objectives and establish policies for the various departments in the organization.
- Implement, manage and evaluate operation processes and procedures, in accordance with the standards and procedures set out by the organization.
- Provide leadership for assessing and enhancing plant capabilities; develop strategies and implementation plans to improve and standardize all aspects of operations.
- Ensure compliance with government regulations in the areas of employee safety, food safety, environmental, and employee practices. (FDA, HACCP, GMP, USDA, EPA, OSHA, SOP's and SSOP's).
- Ensure that operational processes stay within agreed upon budgets and timelines by controlling costs and keeping the organization on track financially; control and minimize labor overtime and repair expenses.
- Direct the overall activities of the manufacturing facilities to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, produced and shipped at the lowest possible cost to meet the customers' requirements while maintaining corporate established quality standards.
- Ensure that appropriate standard operating procedures (SOP's) are developed and maintained for all aspects of the business, including facility cleanliness for food safety standards.
- Implement plant safety programs and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP's).
- Communicate with Executive team at weekly meetings providing reports, status of operations, and identifying areas for short- and long-term improvements.
- Establish and track KPIs and interface with Executive team on strategies to streamline production practices.
- Provide leadership and training to accomplish the company goals and objectives.
- Maintain proper staffing levels, conduct employee performance evaluations, discipline, and employee commendation.
- Ensure that labor, ingredients, and equipment resources for production and support services are available and utilized effectively.
- Coordinate plant activities through planning with departmental managers to ensure the total manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Establish and monitor overall plant performance for production and quality standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education & Experience:
- HACCP: 5 years (Required)
- ERP systems: 5 years (Required)
- Inventory Management: 5 Years (Required)
- Qualified Pesticide Applicators License (QAL) or ability to obtain within 45 days of hire (Required)
- USDA: 5 years (Preferred)
- Food Manufacturing: 5 years (Preferred)
- Produce: 5 years (Preferred)
Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.