Director of Operations And Business Development

Fruit Growers Supply; Woodlake (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Health Care and Dependent Care Reimb.

401K retirement with match

Paid holidays and vacation

Training and Educational assistance

Job summary

Fruit Growers Supply, based in California, seeks a Director of Operations & Business Development to lead Operations, Strategy and Business Development across its supply chain, retail, and ecommerce platforms. Reporting to the COO, you will build scalable processes, drive margins, manage P&L, and expand revenue with new digital offerings while developing teams across Porterville, Woodlake and Santa Paula.

This role requires hands-on leadership, mobility in Central and Southern California, and a

Qualifications

• Requires 8–10+ years of progressive leadership driving business development and operations across multiple locations and lines of business.
• Digital product strategy and/or ecommerce experience strongly desired.
• Strong understanding of agricultural and/or farming industries and supply chains.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operations, Strategy and Business Development across FGS segments including Supply Chain & Retail, driving growth and profitability.
• Oversee supply chain operations, logistics, inventory, and fulfillment for retail and ecommerce channels.
• Build and lead teams across Porterville, Woodlake, and Santa Paula with a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Strategic thinking

P&L management

Cross-location leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, business management, retail management or related field

Job description

Director, Operations & Business Development

Role Summary

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director, Operations & Business Development, will lead Operations, Strategy and Business Development across Fruit Growers Supply (FGS) business segments including Supply Chain & Retail, enabling FGS to become the supplier of choice for California’s agricultural community.

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• The Director will spearhead strategic market initiatives, solidify client partnerships, and grow diversified revenue streams while embodying the values of personal credibility, persuasive leadership, and strategic foresight.
• Foster partnership and teamwork across departments/locations throughout the company to ensure smooth execution of operational initiatives and business objectives.
• Drive financial performance across the organization, improving margins, while strengthening and aligning financial strategy with operational execution.
• Facilitate the performance and talent management process for all direct reports including leadership effectiveness and career development opportunities.
• Build the ecommerce organization from the ground up: P&L, merchandising, customer experience, and channel management for national and international sales.

Business Development

• The Director will expand revenue, by bringing Innovation & change, especially in ecommerce, digital fulfillment, and value-added services for our grower and packing house customers.
• Provide integrated leadership to identify opportunities to expand revenue within existing members and new customers, leveraging all services offered within all of FGS’ business lines.
• Build and lead strategy to grow B2B client relationships, while ensuring service and performance with existing members & customers remains exceptional.
• Develop relationships across the agricultural communities where we serve and operate.

Supply Chain & Retail Leadership

• Oversee supply chain operations, logistics, inventory flow, and fulfillment processes that support both retail and ecommerce (future state) channels.
• Lead the improvement and efficiency of end-to-end supply chain operations (from farming to packing), through data collection and analysis.
• Review and recommend ways of improving the supply chain.
• Develop strong leadership teams that drive consistency across all locations and businesses; elevating customer experience, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the improved efficiencies and growth of our FGS Retail Centers—located in Porterville, CA; Woodlake, CA; and Santa Paula, CA.
• Support long‑term planning for retail expansion, operational upgrades, and technology enhancements.
• Owns the sales performance of the retail locations by bringing established retail best practices.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of progressive leadership driving business development, operational improvements and leading teams across multiple locations and lines of business.
• Has successfully built & grown organizations, launched products and/or introduced successful innovation.
• Strong understanding of agricultural and/or farming industries and supply chains.
• Previous successful digital product strategy and/or eCommerce experience, strongly desired.
• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, business management, retail management or similar fields or equivalent experience.
• Strong financial acumen with previous P&L responsibility, budget, performance metrics
• This requires a fair amount of mobility to meet with customers and to oversee the various locations that are primarily in the Central Valley. Overnight travel within Central & Southern California is anticipated to be about 10%.

Well, what is this job really about?

We are looking for an individual who values hard work, fresh ideas and a commitment to excellence. At Fruit Growers Supply, we value trust, respect for each other, communication and sharing information, generating ideas and creative solutions, working in teams and developing people to add value.

Behind our history of innovation and commitment to market leadership is a company devoted to providing continued education, excellent benefits and good working conditions. We provide all the resources you need to support your professional development, including:

• A variety of choices for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
• Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts.
• 401K retirement savings plan, Match+
• Paid holiday and vacation benefits
• Internal and external training
• Educational assistance

DISCLAIMER

This job description indicates, in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between Fruit Growers Supply and its employees.

Fruit Growers Supply is an equal opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are open to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, immigration status, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic characteristics, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. AAP/M/F/V/D