Position Title: Operations Manager

Location: Red River Valley, MN - NE of Fargo ND

About Us:

We are a small processing plant that cleans grains, seeds, and sunflowers and packages them in bulk, totes, and bags. In addition, it processes agricultural byproducts to create higher-value products in the ag marketplace

Position Overview: The operations manager is responsible for leading and managing all operational functions of the agricultural processing facility. This includes overseeing production, quality control, safety, maintenance, and regulatory compliance.  This is a hands-on role that is going to be expected to do the operations and repairs.

This is a new company, and growth is planned. When finances allow and business is justified, there will be additional hires that are expected to report into this role, and the expectation is that this position will continue to lead by example and work side by side with the others on the team. The operations manager will have direct input into building the production process and learning all aspects of the business; however, there will be an expectation lead, manage, and assist with daily production.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Operations Management:

• Lead and conduct day-to-day plant processing operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to optimize productivity and maintain food and occupational safety.
• Work closely with the Business Manager to ensure customer needs and orders are met.

2.Strategic Leadership

• Work with the owner to define and execute long-term operational strategies.
• Identify opportunities for additional thru-put, growth, efficiency improvements, and process innovation.
• Evaluate and implement new technology or equipment to support scalability

3.Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and develop operations staff across production and maintenance.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit and train staff to meet the evolving needs of the business.

4.Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Ensure all products meet internal and external quality standards, including regulatory and food safety requirements (e.g., USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, OMRI).
• Maintain compliance with environmental, safety, and labor regulations.
• Oversee audits and lead corrective action initiatives.

5.Financial & Budget Oversight:

• Develop and manage the operations budget, including cost control and capital expenditures.
• Analyze financial and operational performance to drive profitability.
• In conjunction with Business Manager, preparation of weekly and monthly operational performance reports and assist in gathering and analyzing data to improve operational efficiency.

6.Customer and Vendor Relations:

• Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, contractors, and logistics partners.
• Support sales and customer service teams in delivering high-quality customer experiences.
• Fill in for other areas as needed (store front, customer service, etc)

7.Other Duties as Needed

• This is a start-up business and as such, all team members are needed to assist in making things happen.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field, or 5 years managing operations and people in an ag-related business.

·       Minimum 2-3 years of experience in food or agricultural processing

·       Demonstrated ability to manage end-to-end plant operations.

·       Working knowledge of food safety and regulatory compliance.

·       Experience with maintenance and reliability programs.

·       Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

·       Experience in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives is a plus.

Business

The current business has retail, production, and warehouse and includes feed, seed cleaning, and sunflower processing (birdseed, cleaning). The new business model will seek to expand all three areas, as well as focus on a new product line utilizing regionally produced by-products to produce high-value ingredients for the feed and soil health markets.

Expectations:

70%      Daily Operations

-       Daily production

-       Manage production employees

-       Oversee Quality Process

-       Ensure Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance

20%      Projects

-       Oversee Modernization and Conversion of Current Facility

-       Assist in Developing Phase 2

-       Assist in Developing Other Assets

10%      Cross Training

-       Learn other aspects of the business.

Brian B. Bigger, President | Recruiter | Global Talent Solutions

c: 218-234-9079 o: 218-308-9200 e: brian@globaltalentsolutions.com