Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations Manager

Reporting To: General Manager

Location: Madisonville TX

Our simple vision is to be the best integrated mushroom company in North America by efficiently delivering superior value to our customers and consumers. We do that by creating long-term value for customers, teammates, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate. We work intentionally toward that vision with a collaborative team foundation. Our principles of trust, respect, integrity, shared vision, empowerment, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement spur our actions every day as we work to achieve our purpose.

At the heart of our culture is a group of individuals who dedicate themselves to their work and each other day in and day out. That’s why we invest in enhancing the lives in the communities around Monterey Mushrooms locations. In our hearts, we’re humble farmers. We’re proud of our continent-wide reach from Monterey Mushrooms locations across North America — from coast to coast and Mexico — focused on our company purpose of Enhancing People’s Lives. For more information, please visit our website. www.montereymushrooms.com.

Paine Schwartz Partners (PSP) is a global sustainable food-chain investment private equity firm based in California and New York. The firm invests in middle-market companies across North America and Europe. PSP is exclusively focused on investing in food and agribusiness companies and brings a collaborative and active management approach to its portfolio companies.

Over the past 20+ years, PSP (together with certain predecessor and related entities) has invested $5.7 billion of equity capital across 87 food and agribusiness investments (including 31 platform transactions), representing over $10.0 billion of total transaction value. Currently, the fund’s portfolio is comprised of 17 food and ag companies and a total of $6.5 billion in AUM. PSP recently held its final closing for Fund VI at $1.7 billion, which was above its original target of $1.5 billion and 17% bigger than its previous $1.4 billion Fund V.

Of any industry, we believe food and agribusiness presents perhaps the greatest opportunity to simultaneously create value and drive positive impact through responsible investment practices. PSP is committed to addressing imminent challenges facing the food and agriculture sector by championing companies that provide innovative solutions around food security, economic growth, human rights, positive environmental impacts and health products. With an intensive focus on Sustainability & ESG, we are a proud signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment, the global leading proponent of incorporating ESG factors in investment decisions and processes. To this end, these investments are deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as zero hunger, clean water and sanitation and climate action, among many others. Monterey Mushrooms is a portfolio company of Paine Schwartz Partners, who invested in the business in May 2022. For more information on Paine Schwartz Partners, please visit www.paineschwartz.com.

Why Join Monterey Mushrooms?

This position manages three operating and support departments (Maintenance Harvesting or Packing and Shipping) to produce results consistent with stated goals in the areas of safety, quality, cost, productivity, and efficiency. Provide long range planning and short-range direction for organizational and individual development including Operations/Sales interface.

What do we expect?

This position manages three operating and support departments to produce results consistent with stated goals in the areas of safety, quality, cost, productivity, and efficiency. Provide long-range planning and short-range direction for organizational and individual development including Operations/Sales interface.

What do we expect?

Manage departments, specifically individual and organizational development, departmental interfaces, and personal administration.

• Coordinate with the maintenance department to improve line efficiencies while reducing costs.
• Coordinate the plant's Sales/Operations interface, including customer contact and follow-up.
• Provide support services to the plant including problem identification and solution, equipment design, and modifications
• Develop methods of improving customer service through utilizing resources in all departments.
• Manage the individual professional development of managers and supervisors in this organization.
• Develop and implement cost and process improvement projects in all operating areas.
• Improve costs and service through modifications to packing material or other equipment in the plant.
• Budget preparation, monthly forecasts, and cost tracking for all departments.
• Facilitate and Manage 4-6 Farm BEPs (Budget Extension Projects) per year for cost savings initiatives.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Provide technical services to other departments as needed.
• Any additional duties as directed by the General Manager.
  
  
  

SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE:

• In addition to managing direct reports; this position manages all employees of the department and is responsible for the performance management within that department.
• Responsible for interviewing, selecting and training direct reports.
• Is responsible for reviewing performance and administering corrective action.
• Plans the work schedules, assigns duties, tracks absenteeism and reviews work to ensure quality standards.
• Responsible for monitoring work for legal or regulatory compliance.
• Observes and practices safety and housekeeping procedures at all times.
  
  
  

What are we looking for?

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required in technical field (i.e. engineering). In lieu of the preferred technical degree, a Bachelor’s degree in another field and 7+ years management experience in a mushroom operation may be considered.
• Possession of key competencies, including conflict management, business negotiation, organization and decision-making.
• Effective ability to delegate responsibilities and provide leadership and training to key personnel.
• 3+ years of plant operations experience at a manager+ level
• Keen knowledge in knowing how the operations interface with other aspects of the business.
• Strong financial understanding of Ag Manufacturing or related industry experience.
  
  
  

Desired:

• Bilingual/Bi-literate (English/Spanish).
• Prior food manufacturing experience (in Ag industry strongly preferred).