Spring Into Action is seeking a passionate, self-starter with experience in food processing to join their team as Operations Manager. 

Spring Into Action is a new social enterprise that will process and deliver regionally grown produce to food manufacturers and food service institutions in New York City.  Beginning the spring of 2012, we will partner with regional farmers and food hubs to source high quality, seasonal produce.  At our New York City facility, we will then sort, repack, and coordinate delivery through distribution partners and the company fleet, and as needed, wash, cut, and bag produce according to customer specifications.  

Spring Into Action was founded to create jobs for folks in our community who are rebuilding their lives after periods of incarceration. Though our goal is to create 100 jobs in the next 5 years, our Operations Manager will initially have between 2- 6 direct reports.

Duties and responsibilities - The Operations Manager will:

• Work with the team to create processes to source, process, and distribute regional produce safely and effectively
• Oversee the daily operations of the food processing facility – managing incoming supply, inventory, workflow, staffing schedules, on-time delivery of product
• Train, manage, coach, and grow employees from within the company
• Work with the start up team to create a culture of responsibility, respect, collaboration, growth and excellence
• Be responsible for quality control in both processing and distribution
• Ensure that operating systems, equipment and procedures comply with all current state, federal, and local legislation, and meet best practices for safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Propose and implement changes as necessary.
• Work with partner intermediary and the CEO on personnel issues such as hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary action, and termination
• Monitor key process parameters that encompass the plant personnel, productivity, employee safety and maintenance
• Other responsibilities as needed

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in fresh produce processing/distribution with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience
• Sense of humor, comfort with ambiguity, self-starter, problem solver, active sharer of knowledge
• Commitment to the company’s social mission
• Demonstrated strong communication (written & verbal), analytical/problem solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of USDA regulations, HACCP compliance, OSHA safety, health and environment laws, regulations and standards
• Background in scheduling, cost control, process management, inventory control, quality assurance and food safety
•  Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work for extended periods of time on their feet in cool, damp temperatures (50 degrees)
• Active driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications: 

• BA/BS degree in Food Science, Engineering or other relevant area 
• Background in fresh-cut and/or regional food processing
• Experience with basic machinery maintenance
• Knowledge of sustainable practices, including reusable/recyclable packaging and energy efficient production
• Bilingual / fluency in English and Spanish would be a plus
• Commercial Driver’s License a plus

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes health care, vacation, sick and personal time.

If interested, please submit a cover letter and a resume to Katie Broadbent at Katie@springintoactionnyc.com.  Applications will be accepted through the end of February 2012, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.