Chief Operating Officer

Leading the development of the operations strategic plan in conjunction with the Senior Leaders, including monitoring and executing of the plan, and communicating to the SLT, Board and employees.

• Working with the CEO and other Senior Leaders collaborate on setting and driving the organisational vision and operations strategy.
• Drive the efficient use of labour resources and assets to support the achievement of the business plan.
• Oversee the operations and labour productivity, building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive and that organisational goals are met.

Key Responsibilities: 

• In consultation with the Chief Executive Officer lead the development and implementation of the strategic plan for logistics and operations, driving a culture of continuous improvement and taking corrective actions where required.

• Develop key performance indicators for the Perfection farms, commercial operations (including wholesale markets) management team and monitor progress to support the achievement of both long and short term business plans.

• Lead and manage and direct all operational activities of the farms, commercial operations (including wholesale markets) business to achieve short- and long-term commercial outcomes.

• Drive innovation across all operational processes, maintaining internal controls while removing inefficiencies to the business.

• Prepare and recommend budget forecasts/plans for the relevant financial year. Monitor performance with CFO and take corrective measures when necessary and prepare detailed updates and forecasts.

• Partner with CEO / CFO so that sufficient investment capital can be budgeted for near-term growth targets.

• Evaluate performance and identify improvement opportunities by analysing and interpreting data and metrics.

• Manage capital investments and expenses aggressively to ensure that the company achieves investor targets for growth and profitability.

• Lead and facilitate an environment of collaboration, innovation and information sharing across the farms and commercial operations (including wholesale markets) to foster the exchange of best practice knowledge and to develop problem solving capability.

• Participate in Board meetings and provide performance reporting.

• Build and maintain trusting relationships, including the negotiation of complex business outcomes with suppliers and stakeholders to improve value delivered to the organisation in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and other internal stakeholders.

• Lead the team to drive business performance, through effective recruitment, onboarding professional development, retention and performance management.

• Foster and promote a culture of workplace safety, product quality and positive employee engagement to facilitate compliance with Company policies, applicable legislation and to maximise employee effort and outcomes.

• Collaborate and consult with members of the senior leadership team to support and facilitate best practice decision making for enhanced commercial outcomes.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Degree in Business, Agriculture or a related area or equivalent experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in a leadership role in operations role in the fresh produce or a related industry.

• Seasoned professional, with a strong strategy orientation, who has previously held several business and operational roles in fast paced and complex environments.

• Excellent influence, communication, and commercial business negotiation skills.

• Excellent leadership skills to effectively manage the performance and engagement of a culturally diverse workforce.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with key internal and external partners, suppliers and customers.

• Highly developed analytical skills with an ability to compile reports and undertake an analysis of data for presentation to the Chief Executive/Board and customers.

• Champion ethical business practices and Company policies

Our mission

To lead the fresh food revolution

Our vision

To inspire a healthier world by connecting people to sustainable fresh food

COMPANY VALUES

We pursue perfection every day, by making sure we do everything with PRIDE.

• First there’s Passion. It’s not just the secret ingredient for growing delicious fruit and veggies – it’s how you grow a great team, too.

• Second is Respect. We focus on building respectful relationships with our network of growers, suppliers and customers. It’s key to having happy people, and a healthy business.

• We’re all for Innovation. And in our world, that means encouraging everyone to come up with fresh tastes, techniques and ideas. Because innovation can come from anywhere.

• Then there’s Discipline. While we love to have fun at work, we’re all perfectionists at heart. Staying professional and focused is the only way we can live up to our name.

And finally, we’re Ethical – always. From our products and people to our sourcing and service, everything comes down to quality, honesty and trust. It’s vital in our recipe for success