Sr Manager, Special Operations

Farmer's Fridge; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with immediate employer match

Paid time off

Sabbatical after 5 years

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Farmer’s Fridge seeks a Senior Manager of Special Operations to solve complex operational challenges and drive high-impact improvements across the Supply Chain, partnering with Fulfillment, Manufacturing, and other leaders.

Reporting to the Director, the role demands analytical thinking, disciplined project management, and execution focus, with no direct reports but influence across teams and readiness to travel as needed. This is a full-time, on-site role at our Chicago offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field required.
• MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in operations, supply chain, consulting, project management, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Proven experience leading complex cross-functional projects from planning through execution.
• Experience solving operational problems and implementing process improvements in fast-paced environments.
• Experience driving organizational change and delivering measurable business results.
• Exceptional analytical and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly understand unfamiliar business challenges.
• Strong project and program management skills with outstanding planning and organizational capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive execution without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments with changing priorities.
• Willingness to travel as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Solve complex operational and business challenges across the Supply Chain organization.
• Perform structured root cause analysis and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, corrective action plans, and cross-functional projects from planning through implementation.
• Build project plans, timelines, milestones, and governance to ensure successful execution.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project risks, and drive accountability throughout execution.
• Partner with functional leaders to improve operational performance, service levels, productivity, quality, and cost.
• Step into functional areas to provide temporary leadership, operational support, and execution capacity during periods of change, resource gaps, or major business initiatives.
• Build alignment across teams, remove barriers to execution, and ensure lasting process improvements.
• Travel to operating locations as needed to support projects and implementation.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Execution orientation

Stakeholder management

Ambiguity tolerance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations

MBA or equivalent

Job description

Farmer’s Fridge makes fruits and vegetables accessible and approachable for everyone. We offer a variety of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks through our fresh food vending machines, wholesale partners, and our office pantry solution — providing chef-curated meals to customers within seconds. Today, we operate a network of Fridges and partner with clients nationwide in high-foot-traffic areas, such as airports, hospitals, universities, and large office buildings — where there is limited accessibility to fresh, healthy, grab-n-go options.

We care deeply about what we’re creating and aspire to make sure our customers feel that through every touchpoint. This shows up in many ways across the business. We are committed to prioritizing food safety, we are passionate about product quality, we value our employees, we champion the best idea no matter where it comes from, and we’re committed to making an overall positive impact as we scale.

About this Role: The Senior Manager of Special Operations is responsible for solving complex operational problems and driving high-impact improvement initiatives across the Supply Chain organization. This role partners with leaders across Fulfillment, Manufacturing, and other business functions to identify root causes, implement sustainable solutions, improve business processes, and strengthen operational execution.

Reporting to the Director of Special Operations, this role is designed for someone who thrives in ambiguity and enjoys tackling difficult business challenges. The successful candidate combines exceptional analytical thinking with disciplined project management and a relentless focus on execution. They are equally comfortable diagnosing operational issues, building recovery plans, improving processes, leading cross-functional initiatives, or stepping into operational teams to provide temporary leadership and execution support when business needs require it.

While this role has no direct reports, it requires the ability to lead through influence, quickly establish credibility, and drive results across multiple teams.

What You’ll Do…

• Solve complex operational and business challenges across the Supply Chain organization.
• Perform structured root cause analysis and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, corrective action plans, and cross-functional projects from planning through implementation.
• Build project plans, timelines, milestones, and governance to ensure successful execution.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project risks, and drive accountability throughout execution.
• Partner with functional leaders to improve operational performance, service levels, productivity, quality, and cost.
• Step into functional areas to provide temporary leadership, operational support, and execution capacity during periods of change, resource gaps, or major business initiatives.
• Build alignment across teams, remove barriers to execution, and ensure lasting process improvements.
• Travel to operating locations as needed to support projects and implementation.

Who You Are…

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field required.
• MBA or equivalent experience preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in operations, supply chain, consulting, project management, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Proven experience leading complex cross-functional projects from planning through execution.
• Experience solving operational problems and implementing process improvements in fast-paced environments.
• Experience driving organizational change and delivering measurable business results.
• Exceptional analytical and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly understand unfamiliar business challenges.
• Strong project and program management skills with outstanding planning and organizational capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive execution without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments with changing priorities.
• Willingness to travel as business needs require.

Personal Attributes

• Naturally curious with a passion for solving difficult business problems.
• Highly organized and execution-oriented.
• Comfortable leading through influence and earning credibility quickly.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and calm under pressure.
• Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Takes ownership and consistently delivers results.

We Provide a Comprehensive Benefits Package, Including

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)
• 401(k) with immediate employer match vesting
• Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Paid sabbatical after 5 years of service
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Benefits At Farmer's Fridge

In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we’ve done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback.

Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.

Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after five years of service.

Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company’s bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.

Farmer’s Fridge Diversity Statement

"Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer’s Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles."

Farmer’s Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures