Client Summary:

Our client is one of the largest distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables in the United States , encompassing all major segments of the produce distribution industry. Today they offer the largest and most comprehensive inventory of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Midwest . This includes more than 2,500 fruits, vegetables and floral items including a complete line of value added, specialty and organic products for the retail and foodservice markets.   In addition, their services include everything from a complete logistics solution to tomato ripening and repacking, retail merchandising and category management to fresh cut processing, and private label packaging to transportation.

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Operations is the senior operations person in the corporate office with responsibility for optimizing the distribution and transportation operations of all of the operating entities.  This position reports to the company President.  Each of the operating entities has a General Manager who all report to the President.  Each of the GMs have operations and finance executives who report to them.  The Vice President of Operations will be responsible for working with the General Managers and Operations Executives of each of the operating companies to optimize the operations of all of the operating units as a whole.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Work with the General Managers and Operations executives of each operating unit to gain a detailed understanding of their business and how it relates to other operating units.
• Work with the operating units to identify opportunities for improvement in distribution and transportation processes and costs.
• Work with corporate and operating unit management to develop action plans for improvement.
• Lead projects designed to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in the distribution network.
• Develop superior working relationships with corporate and operating unit executives and staff.
• Provide operations leadership to the entire organization.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in the perishable foods industry.  15+ years of experience is ideal.
• Experience working in large, complex multi-plant operations
• Experience in diverse supply chain operations
• Strong experience in transportation
• Proactive change agent focused on improving business process execution
• Experience working with a major Warehouse Management System software application.
• Bright, quick, articulate and big-picture thinker
• Superior analytical, communication, and overall business leadership skills
• Highly committed to achieving objectives
• Undergraduate degree