Employment Opportunities – Chief Operations Officer

Job Title: COO – Grain Place Foods

Location: Grain Place Foods – Marquette, Nebraska

Salary: Base salary range is $150,000-160,000 annually, based upon experience plus benefits

Reports to: Dave Vetter CEO Grain Place Foods

Status: Exempt, Full‐Time plus benefits

Updated: Position open from April 15th to May 30th or until filled

Application: Submit your cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae and three references to David Vetter dvetter@grainplacefoods.com

Grain Place Foods is located by Marquette Nebraska and has a strategic partnership with the Grain Place Farm which has been a leader in the organic movement for over 35 years. We believe how your food is produced, processed and packaged does matter and are looking for a Chief Operating Officer, to ensure Grain Place Foods continues to be a leader in supplying high-quality, sought-after ingredients for the Organic food market.

We are seeking a person who, in addition to typical COO duties, has a strong desire to partner with Dave Vetter, CEO and visionary founding leader in the organic food movement, to develop and nurture the future vision for Grain Place Foods and its partnership with the Grain Place Farm.

You are a good fit for this role if you are passionate about the role the Grain Place Foods has in the soil, plant, animal, human, and planet health nexus.

The candidate must possess the skills, commitment and demonstrated abilities to ensure the operations are efficient and effective and nurture an atmosphere where all employees thrive.

Examples of Specific Duties and Responsibilities- These are subject to change based on needs, but core activities and responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Planning- This is an opportunity to work with and share ideas with Dave Vetter to develop and communicate the strategy and vision for Grain Place Foods
• Marketing support – this includes developing and implementing an advertising strategy.
• Advocate for Grain Place Foods within and beyond the community- ability to tell the story of the Grain Place and why it is important.
• Operational oversight- This includes Customer support and service as well as managing day-to-day operations across all departments, including manufacturing, supply chain, and facilities management. Examples of duties include but are not limited to;
  • Oversee daily grain cleaning, processing, milling, and packaging operations
  • Troubleshoot equipment issues and production challenges
  • Oversee facility maintenance and cleanliness standards
  • Manage preventative maintenance programs for processing equipment
  • Coordinate equipment repairs, upgrades, and replacements
• Performance monitoring: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational efficiency and identify areas for improvement.
• Process improvement: Identify and implement best practices to streamline workflows and reduce costs. 
• Budget management: Develop and oversee operational budgets to ensure efficient resource allocation. 
• Risk management: Identify potential operational risks and develop mitigation strategies. This includes insurance strategies.
• Compliance oversight: Ensure adherence to industry regulations and legal requirements. 
• Team leadership: Lead and motivate cross-functional teams across various departments, fostering a culture of belonging and commitment to mission. 
• Talent development: Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing employees within operations. Create an atmosphere where all employees thrive and reach their full potential.

Education, Skills, and/or Experience – Required

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field
• Strategic, systems level thinker as well as analytical abilities
• Excellent listening skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Operational expertise across diverse functions
• Financial acumen and budgeting skills
• Project management and execution capabilities
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders