Business Optimization Manager

Willamette Egg Farms LLC; Iowa; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular performance reviews

Health insurance

Vision insurance

HSA with company match

Paid time Off

Paid Holidays

401K with company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Versova is seeking a Business Optimization Manager in Thompson, IA to drive operational improvements, lead cross-functional initiatives, and coach leaders for sustainable performance gains.

The role partners with site and business leaders to evaluate operations, develop practical solutions, and implement changes that enhance profitability and efficiency across multi-site operations. Travel to company locations is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business, operations, agriculture, finance, or supply chain.
• 4+ years in operations, business optimization, continuous improvement, or related field.
• Proven experience identifying and implementing improvement opportunities.
• Experience analyzing operational and financial data to support decisions.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities across organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, reduce costs, improve productivity, and strengthen performance.
• Evaluate processes, staffing, equipment utilization, and spending for improvements.
• Develop and implement practical solutions for efficiency and profitability.
• Lead cross-functional optimization projects from opportunity to implementation.
• Coach and mentor leaders to strengthen capabilities and succession readiness.
• Monitor improvements and standardize successful practices across locations.

Skills

Operations management

Continuous improvement

Project management

Operational finance

Financial analysis

Leadership

Root-cause analysis

Coaching

Communication

Excel

PowerPoint

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent experience

Operations/Business focus

Job description

Job Title : Business Optimization Manager

Location : Thompson, IA

Reports To : Business Unit Leader

Job Type : Full-Time, On-site

Job Summary
The Business Optimization Manager is responsible for identifying and implementing opportunities to improve operational performance, increase revenue, reduce costs, and strengthen leadership capability across the organization. This role works directly with business and site leadership to evaluate operations, identify performance gaps and opportunities, develop practical solutions, and support implementation through measurable and sustainable improvements. The Manager also supports the development of leaders and organizational bench strength by providing coaching, sharing operational knowledge, identifying capability gaps, and helping leaders strengthen business and operational effectiveness

Essential Job Functions

Partner directly with site and business leaders to identify opportunities to increase revenue, reduce costs, improve productivity, and strengthen overall business performance

Evaluate operational processes, workflows, staffing, equipment utilization, spending, production performance, and other business activities to identify improvement opportunities

Develop and implement practical solutions that improve operational efficiency, profitability, resource utilization, and business performance

Analyze operational and financial data to identify trends, performance gaps, root causes, and opportunities for improvement

Build business cases and recommendations that evaluate potential costs, savings, operational impacts, risks, and expected business value

Lead and coordinate business optimization projects from opportunity identification through implementation and follow-up

Partner with Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Maintenance, People Operations, and other functions to implement cross-functional improvement initiatives

Work closely with site leadership to identify operational challenges and develop solutions that are practical, scalable, and sustainable

Monitor implemented improvements to ensure expected results are achieved and identify additional opportunities when necessary

Identify successful operational practices and support standardization and implementation across applicable locations

Support leaders in strengthening business acumen, operational decision-making, accountability, and performance management capabilities

Coach and mentor supervisors, managers, and emerging leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness and prepare talent for increased responsibility

Partner with leadership and People Operations to identify leadership capability gaps, development opportunities, succession needs, and bench strength

Provide hands-on guidance and support to leaders during operational changes, improvement initiatives, and implementation of new processes

Facilitate problem-solving, process improvement, and operational planning discussions with site and functional teams

Develop tools, processes, reporting, and documentation that improve visibility, accountability, and consistency across operations

Support organizational initiatives involving growth, integrations, facility improvements, technology, process changes, and other business priorities

Communicate findings, recommendations, progress, and results to site and organizational leadership

Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations Management, Agriculture, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience

4+ years of experience in operations, business optimization, continuous improvement, project management, operational finance, or related field

Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing operational or financial improvement opportunities

Experience analyzing operational and financial information to support business decisions

Strong understanding of business operations, cost drivers, productivity, and performance improvement

Demonstrated ability to lead projects and influence results across multiple departments or stakeholder groups

Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills with the ability to translate findings into practical solutions

Strong interpersonal and coaching skills with the ability to build credibility with operational leaders and employees

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across organizational levels

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and applicable business reporting or analytical tools

Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing operational needs

Ability to travel regularly to company locations

Preferred Qualifications

Experience within agriculture, poultry, food production, manufacturing, or another multi-site operational environment

Experience with continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar operational improvement methodologies

Experience developing supervisors, managers, or emerging leaders

Experience supporting cost reduction, revenue enhancement, productivity, or operational efficiency initiatives

Experience with financial modeling, business cases, dashboards, or performance analytics

Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement certification

Work Environment
This position works across office, agricultural, production, and operational environments and requires significant interaction with site leadership and operating teams. Regular travel to company locations is required to observe operations, evaluate opportunities, support improvement initiatives, and work directly with leaders and employees. The role may involve exposure to livestock, agricultural environments, production equipment, dust, noise, varying temperatures, and other conditions associated with food and agricultural operations. Work schedules may occasionally vary based on operational needs, project requirements, and travel. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when working in operational environments.

About Us

Versova is one of the largest egg producers in the United States, bringing together family-owned farms in Iowa, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. With over six decades of industry experience, our team of more than 2,000 employees is dedicated to exceptional flock care, environmental stewardship, and producing safe, high-quality eggs. More than just a workplace, Versova is a team built on shared values, working together to enrich our communities and uphold the highest ethical standards.

As a family of companies and a company of families, we are guided by a strong set of Core Values: Recognition, Initiative, Safety & Security, Service, Community, Respect, Integrity, Ownership, and Excellence. These values drive our commitment to responsible employment, sustainability, and industry innovation. When you join Versova, you become part of something bigger - working together to lead the future of egg production with integrity and excellence.

• Regular performance reviews
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• HSA with company match
• Paid time Off
• Paid Holidays
• 401K with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• E mployee A ssistance P rogram

Posting Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.

Disclosure

This job description is not exhaustive, as employees may perform additional related duties as needed. Employment is based on an 'at-will' basis. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, as applicable to the role and in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.