Chief Operating Officer
Department: Production Operations
Reporting to: President
Location: Nashville, NC
To apply, please send your resume to lindsayp@braswellfamilyfarms.com
Braswell Family Farms in Nashville, NC is seeking a Chief Operating Officer. This person will be responsible for managing all aspects of operations to include live production, production processing, feed mill, quality, transportation & logistics, and building & grounds. The Chief Operating Officer will be a strategic member of Braswell Family Farms’ executive management team and will contribute to the business’ overall success by aligning all operational aspects of the business to achieve our organizational goals in a manner that glorifies God.
The Chief Operating Officer will report to the President and partner with the Chief Financial Officer. Braswell Family Farms exists to feed the body and the soul, and this individual is a key driver of making sure that culture emanates throughout the company. They must possess and be a leading example of our core values: in this together; do the right thing; ‘eggcited’ about agriculture; I’m third; and grow where you’re planted.
Braswell Family Farms is a fourth-generation family owned, vertically integrated company producing and marketing quality, and value-added feed and eggs for American Families and livestock producers for over 80 years. Today, four generations of the Braswell family have been committed to innovation and operating with excellence. The Braswell’s and their family of over 200 team members scattered across several locations, take pride in providing the highest quality eggs and feed to both consumers and customers every day of the year.
At Braswell Family Farms, we believe that our jobs are a gift from God, which provide us with a platform to serve our customers and each other. We also believe that our business is the Lord’s and that He has placed us in a position of stewardship over the business through which we have an opportunity to honor and glorify Him. This means that He has given us everything we need to fulfill our calling and that we are accountable for how we steward His resources.
It’s incredibly motivating to know each day that we are not just providing the safest and highest quality eggs and feed to our customers, but we ultimately do that so we can have opportunities to make an impact for good in the lives of those we meet. We strive to foster a culture of kindness and generosity that drives us to do things for our team members, like providing Chaplaincy services, sponsoring marriage conferences, leading lunch and learn devotions, and offering fun-filled family-focused events throughout the year.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
Oversee all aspects of operations to include live production, production processing, feed mill, quality, transportation & logistics, and building & grounds Skilled at translating company visions/goals into tactical plans
Strategic minded with ability to align operational to achieve operational goals
Equally focused on team engagement and achieving results
Process improvement mindset with previous successes to share and build on
Ability to set practical performance targets using concepts around OEE
Practical problem-solving mindset
Able to further enhance our feeding the body and the soul culture
Hands on safety experience and knowledge of supporting safe working environments
Ensures that the Mission, Vision, and Values of BFF are permeated throughout the company’s operation teams
Represents the company at community events, industry boards, and industry meetings
Advise the Present on strategic business development and key corporate planning issues that relate and impact the operations of the company
Ensures that production capabilities meet or exceed all industry and customer requirements for cost, quality, and responsiveness
Develops and manages operational budgeting and budget execution with a focus on product costs and margins
Partners with sales team to meet with customers to discuss consumer expectations.
Determines resource allocation among locations.
Leads managers to evaluate and take actions that are consistent with the company's Mission, Vision and Values
Sets performance goals tailored to each business area
Lead planning for future expansion by preparing long-range planning models for development of capacity and technical capabilities
Works closely with Sales, Regulatory and Legal entities to plan commercial strategies for products in all stages of development.
Ensures that facilities/equipment are maintained above industry standards and that employees are trained well to perform their work assignments.
Further enhances the reputation of the Company for customers by adhering to all regulatory requirements and codes of business conduct. Coordinate hazardous materials operations, health and safety programs and serves as primary contact for various state and local compliance inspectors.
Helps drive all of BFF’s Environment Management Systems (EMS) in an impactful manner to include monitoring/reducing operationally related negative effects on the environment as well as pollution prevention.
Work closely with the People & Culture team to lead in accordance with the mission visions and values to establish and maintain a trusting, productive environment.
Required Skills & Experience:
Excitement for and alignment with Braswell Family Farms’ faith-driven purpose and values
EOS, Agricultural, and shell egg industry experience are all pluses.
Superior knowledge of process improvement and overall equipment effectiveness concepts.
Bachelor’s degree in business, food science or related field preferably with MBA.
15+ years of experience in manufacturing management, preferably in a high-volume, process-oriented operations and/or related industry.
Established relationships with a full range of contacts in agriculture, packaging and familiarity with their capabilities, pricing strategies, and negotiation tactics.
Self-starter and a team player that will thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.
Large- and small-company experience, ideally in leading manufacturing in a rapid-growth environment.
Technical expertise in the areas of food processing engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and food safety.
Exceptional business leadership experience.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills to support cost management and process enhancement opportunities.
Thorough knowledge of the principles of food safety, GMP’s, HAACP and sanitation.
Strong analytical, problem solving, lean thinking and statistical process control skills
Thoroughly familiar with manufacturing software and the Microsoft product suite
Good written and verbal communication skills
Insurability: Driving (Frequent travel)
Physical Requirement/Work Environment
Must be able to adapt to office work environments which could include cold and heat.
Data entry while seated for more than one (1) hour.
Must possess the ability to work in an agricultural environment, indoors, outdoors, office, warehouse, processing, and farm production areas each varying in temperature, odor, and other environment specific atmospheres.
Animal Welfare Commitment:
Braswell Family Farms is fully committed to providing our animals with a safe and healthy environment, free from abuse and treated humanely in all aspects. All employees are obligated by moral duty and legal obligation to uphold the strictest animal welfare standards prescribed by the Braswell Family Farms Poultry Code of Conduct and Animal Welfare policy. In addition, employees are also obligated to report any incidents of abuse, neglect, or breach of biosecurity for the health and welfare of our animals.
Equal Opportunity Statement: Braswell Family Farms is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against anyone with regard characteristics such as race, gender, national origin, color, religion, veteran status, age or any disability, in compliance with Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.