Chief Operating Officer

Gilman Partners; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic, high-energy work environment

Opportunities for talent development

Beloved regional brand

Job summary

United Dairy Farmers is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive operational excellence and financial performance. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience at a senior leadership level, managing P&L responsibilities and leading food manufacturing initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a well-established, family-owned company with strong regional ties, providing the chance to collaborate with passionate partners in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of demonstrated leadership experience at a senior/executive level with P&L responsibility.
• Previous experience and in-depth knowledge of Food, Food Manufacturing, CPG, Logistics or Supply Chain.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning and execution of non-retail business units within UDF.
• Total P&L responsibility and developing business plans.
• Lead the Food Manufacturing team for food service initiatives.

Skills

Leadership and management experience

Communication and presentation skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Project management ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business management

Tools

Business Intelligence software (Microsoft BI)

ERP based systems

Job description

Organization : United Dairy Farmers (UDF)

Salary : based on experience

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Are you excited by the opportunity to join a family-owned, professionally managed company with nearly 100 years of success?
• Are you ready to make a meaningful impact by partnering with an energized CEO to shape UDF’s future? This is an opportunity to drive operational excellence, accelerate financial performance, and help lead a trusted, growing company into its next chapter of success.
• Do you thrive at balancing strategic vision with hands‑on leadership? We’re looking for a leader who can shape the future while remaining closely connected to the day‑to‑day execution that drives success.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

United Dairy Farmers is a family owned and founded company committed to making quality ice cream and baked goods. They operate more than 170 convenience stores in the greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana areas. Since its inception in 1940, they have expanded to become a regional fuel distributor, ice cream co‑manufacturer, bakery, real estate, and logistics company.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The position is responsible for the planning, execution, direction and oversight of the primarily non‑retail business units within UDF. Provides leadership and oversight to Food Manufacturing (Ice Cream / Bakery), Warehousing, Logistics and Transportation. Partners with the CEO and Leadership Team to strategically position the business to maximize and maintain profitability and growth. Responsible for partnering across the company to develop short and long term internal, customer and supplier strategies to enable achievement of the Company vision. Translates strategy into execution and drives profitability, scalability, and cross‑functional alignment.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• The COO has total P&L responsibility including working with his/her team to develop the strategies, business plans that optimize, growth, revenue and profitability
• With a strategic focus on Food, lead the Food Manufacturing team to develop, deliver and assess food service initiatives, products and solutions for internal and external customers.
• Actively monitors revenue, cost and labor and proactively insures his/her direct reports making adjustments to programs/initiatives to maximize quality, revenue, profitability and growth.
• Develops processes and metrics to measure effectiveness and performance of all programs overseen within the organization.
• Partner with Store Operations to ensure successful execution of key Retail programs with Food (Ice Cream / Bakery) and Supply Chain solutions. Solicits feedback from Operations with the goal to enhance sales, profitability and reduce expenses/food waste.
• Partners with revenue generating areas to improve efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and/or control.
• Ensures that the business operates within established risk and regulatory guidelines as established by appropriate regulatory agencies and internal policies.
• Uses industry benchmarks to ensure appropriate staffing and organizational structures are in place.
• Establishes and maintains vendor relationships with both internal and external product providers.
• Create an environment focused on continuous improvement in systems and procedural automation, efficiency and productivity.
• Develop, implement and monitor progress on UDF business profit improvement initiatives to improve revenues, reduce expenses, and/or increase production.
• Develop long‑term customer and supplier relationships. Increase market share by assuring that systems are in place to define and meet constantly changing customer expectations for products solutions and services.
• Work with direct reports to provide capital expense projects, projections including building and equipment for areas of oversight.
• Establish, maintain and assess processes to achieve consistent customer satisfaction and cost reduction goals by maximizing productivity of assets and resources.
• Identify key financial trends (opportunities and challenges) and assist in creating organization that can quickly identify significant expense and revenue improvement ideas and ensure implementation.
• Work with CFO and accounting team to analyze business performance, make recommendations for improvements and measure progress. Recommend suggestions to further develop reliable, transparent management reporting.
• Will lead special projects as needed based on CEO direction, PMO planning
• Leads by example related to DAIRY Culture and DAIRY Leadership
• Responsible for providing direct reports with timely, candid and constructive performance feedback; developing associates to their fullest potential and provide challenging opportunities that enhance associate career growth.
• Developing the appropriate talent pool to ensure adequate bench strength and succession planning; recognizing and rewarding associates for accomplishments.
• Incumbent also holds his direct reports accountable for performing the same functions and activities with their direct reports if applicable.
• Responsible for growing associate engagement within the team as measured by regular workplace experience surveys.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• 6+ Years of demonstrated leadership and management experience at a senior /executive level with P&L responsibility.
• Previous experience and in‑depth knowledge of Food, Food Manufacturing, CPG, Logistics or Supply Chain, Quick‑Service Restaurant organizations, Convenience Store distribution, strategies, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in managing the P&L for multiple categories/business units.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to operate in a complex, rapidly changing environment while adhering to tight schedules and budgets.
• Demonstrated project management and budgeting skills, with proven ability to balance multiple projects in varying degrees of implementation.
• Experience with Business Intelligence software packages (Microsoft BI)
• Experience with utilizing AI to create efficiencies and automation preferred
• Prior experience with ERP based systems (Logistics, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Food manufacturing, Retail, etc.) preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business management (or other 4‑year degree) or equivalent experience

KEY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills are required.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, people, and diplomacy skills are required
• Innovative thinker that can drive change throughout the division/organization.
• Leadership skills, initiative, a detail orientation, strong analytical skills, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Position requires the ability to establish self as a leader, to not only perform in a leadership role, but to also be recognized by other business units and business partners as a leader. Must be able to work in a team environment with the ability to interact well, and in a positive manner, with senior management.
• Work requires the ability to multi‑task and to be flexible.
• Ability to motivate team, work independently, manage multiple projects, work under pressure, and adapt to sudden changes in the work environment
• Excellent people/relationship building skills, including the ability to influence senior managers

THE PAYOFF

• This is a great opportunity to grow and improve a fast‑moving business – This is a dynamic, high‑energy environment where each day brings new challenges, quick wins, and visible impact.
• Be part of a people‑centered culture that values collaboration and shared success – The role offers the chance to develop talent, build a strong team culture, and work cross‑functionally with passionate partners.
• You’ll be joining a beloved, well‑established regional brand – UDF is a household name with deep customer loyalty, providing the unique satisfaction of shaping products and experiences that resonate across generations in the communities UDF serves.