GENERAL DESCRIPTION / PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Manage all aspects of Cooling Operations for all West Coast vegetable locations, including 3rd party and seasonal operations in Marina, Salinas, Oxnard, Huron, and Yuma.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS/DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
• Primary ownership for development and execution of Cooling annual operating and capex budgets.
• Develop annual 3 yr capacity plans to assure cooling operation capabilities align with business needs.
• Provide overall strategic direction to total cooling organization. Develop and lead Senior cooler management team.
• Coordinate with Agriculture, Logistics, Fresh Pack and VA Sales departments to properly plan product handling requirements to meet business needs. Align Cooler schedules and personnel as necessary.
• Lead transition of cooler operations and supply chain activities between harvesting/cooling regions
• Design and implement process improvements to improve service, quality and safety while reducing costs. Maximize use of internal assets.
• Implement and communicate all productivity metrics including, , cut-to-cool & cool-to-store times, bin flushing and sealing, inventory rotation, aging & shrink, fill rates, cases picked/shipped per manhour, and order turn time.
• Oversee all aspects of vacuum tube, forced air and hydro cooling and nitrogen flushing, and icing
• Responsible for 3rd party cooling cost and performance
• Meet safety requirements; manage incidents/accidents to budgeted performance goals set annually
• Meet food safety requirements and manage 3rd party audits
• Meet regulatory requirements and manage regulatory audits
• Manage customer required audits and inspections
• Act as liaison with other company departments to facilitate special needs of both internal and external Customers.
• Analyze customer orders, requirements, and patterns to minimize truck-waiting times and out of stocks by managing foreseeable problems on orders before trucks arrive.
• Ensure all Managers and Supervisors follow company and governmental policies and procedures as set up by Human Resources and Labor Relations/Safety
• Follow all food safety requirements and GMP’s as applicable for this position.
• Other duties as assigned
Required Skills
** JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:**
• Five plus years’ experience managing fresh food operations; preferably in an industry with seasonal relocation of operations. Familiar with vacuum tube and nitrogen cooling including current EPA requirements
• Knowledge of produce and inventory systems
• Ability to direct personnel and set up multiple types of schedules.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple locations operating simultaneously
• High level knowledge of Excel, Word and AS400
• Must have a valid Driver’s License
PHYSIC _ AL REQUIREMENTS:_
• Able to sit, stand, walk, climb, squat and stoop throughout the work week as needed
• Ability to use a phone, computer and office equipment and to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• May involve some repetitive motions
• May also engage in frequent bending, stooping, squatting, pushing and pulling of cases and containers
• Ability to work in 32-36 degree environment for extended periods
WORK HOUR & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours/days, per business needs.
• Available on-call for night and weekend duties at any time, based on business requirements
• Ability to travel to other locations during various seasons is REQUIRED at a moment’s notice.
Required Experience
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Materials Management, Production, or a related field preferred. Will consider experience in lieu of degree.
PAY RATE:
EEO STATEMENT: We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
• Five plus years’ experience managing fresh food operations; preferably in an industry with seasonal relocation of operations. Familiar with vacuum tube and nitrogen cooling including current EPA requirements
• Knowledge of produce and inventory systems
• Ability to direct personnel and set up multiple types of schedules.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple locations operating simultaneously
• High level knowledge of Excel, Word and AS400
• Must have a valid Driver’s License
PHYSIC _ AL REQUIREMENTS:_
• Able to sit, stand, walk, climb, squat and stoop throughout the work week as needed
• Ability to use a phone, computer and office equipment and to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• May involve some repetitive motions
• May also engage in frequent bending, stooping, squatting, pushing and pulling of cases and containers
• Ability to work in 32-36 degree environment for extended periods
WORK HOUR & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours/days, per business needs.
• Available on-call for night and weekend duties at any time, based on business requirements
• Ability to travel to other locations during various seasons is REQUIRED at a moment’s notice.