Head of Operations
Zordi
Operations
Vineland, NJ, USA
Posted on Dec 21, 2024
Overview
Zordi, an innovative AgTech company working to make CEA hyper-scalable, is seeking a Head of Operations to oversee and optimize our end-to-end agricultural operations and partnerships across North America. This leadership role is critical in driving efficiency, ensuring product quality, and maintaining compliance across all operational aspects of our business. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with expertise in greenhouse management, plant propagation, and food safety compliance.
Location: Vineland, NJ with travel up to 70%.
Responsibilities
Zordi, an innovative AgTech company working to make CEA hyper-scalable, is seeking a Head of Operations to oversee and optimize our end-to-end agricultural operations and partnerships across North America. This leadership role is critical in driving efficiency, ensuring product quality, and maintaining compliance across all operational aspects of our business. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with expertise in greenhouse management, plant propagation, and food safety compliance.
Location: Vineland, NJ with travel up to 70%.
Responsibilities
- Designs and implements sound business strategy for tissue culture, nurseries, growing, production, storage, packing, sales, and distribution.
- Develops annual budget. Manages and contains costs in line with the approved budget.
- Ensures processes, procedures and training is in place.
- Proactively monitors crop health, including regular site visits with scouting and strong communication with site managers.
- Oversees growing programs to ensure adequate product supply. Works with the Sales team to drive and achieve sales targets.
- Deploys Zordi products and processes for cultivation partners, and advises on best practices and operational strategies.
- Liaises with local, regional, and federal agencies to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
- Provides accurate accounting of cost and productivity.
- Oversees, directs, and manages various site improvement projects.
- Responsible for ensuring all safety protocols are defined and followed.
- Develops and implements strategy to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Directly oversees the maintenance of the various sites.
- Incorporates Zordi proprietary technology across operations.
- Leads by example and fosters a harmonious and safe work environment.
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, Business Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in greenhouse agriculture, horticultural production, or farm operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
- Demonstrated success in managing labor, consumable inventory, and logistics operations, including cold chain management.
- Experience in production forecasting and partner relationship management.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills for team leadership and partner advising.
- Proficiency in using farm management software and tools.
- Ability to work onsite in Vineland, NJ, and travel up to 70% of the time to other sites and partner locations.
- This position requires constant movement and ability to sit and stand for long periods, stand, lift, bend, stoop, reach, climb, and twist.
- Proven expertise in plant propagation, nursery management, or tissue culture techniques.
- Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, including USDA Harmonized GAP or similar standards, and EHS compliance.