SVP of Ops

Job Descriptionwell-established ingredient juice processor operating out of Tulare, California - one of the most concentrated agricultural corridors in the country. We process citrus, stone fruit, pomegranate, kiwi, and specialty co-products including essential oils and essences, serving a national customer base across industrial ingredient channels. We're in an active growth phase - investing in capital expansion, building toward investment-grade operational standards, and assembling the leadership infrastructure to get there. We have strong plant-level talent in place and a Q4 2026 citrus line expansion coming online. What we need is an experienced operator who can step into the gap between ownership and the plant floor: own the budget, build the structure, drive performance, and help position this company for its next chapter.This business operates in a supply-driven market where raw material costs and finished goods demand can be shaped by global forces - crop shortages, tariffs, logistics costs, and commodity volatility. The right leader understands that dynamic and knows how to run a processing operation that stays profitable and responsive regardless of what the market hands them. The right candidate will see this clearly: a well-capitalized processing business with all the ingredients for significant growth - and the room to build something. Title and compensation will reflect the experience and scope you bring.CORE RESPONSIBILITIESFinancial & Budget OwnershipOwn and manage the annual plant production budget - build it, defend it, and perform against itDrive gross margin improvement through yield targeting, cost discipline, and value-added recovery - particularly citrus essence and oilsConduct ongoing risk-based analysis to prioritize capital allocation and operational investment decisionsReport financial performance to ownership with clarity and regularityOperations & Production LeadershipOversee all production operations across seasonal lines including citrus, stone fruit, pomegranate, kiwi, and toll processingDrive plant efficiency, throughput performance, and downtime reduction against established KPIs and historical baselinesLead labor management strategy - scheduling, cost control, and productivity optimizationChampion quality systems, yield targeting, and rework minimization across all product linesSupply Chain IntegrationServe as the operational bridge between raw material supply and finished goods production - translating supply chain realities into actionable plant scheduling and budget decisionsCoordinate closely with brokers and third-party supply partners; ownership maintains direct vertical relationships in the industry that require active management and alignmentMonitor market dynamics - crop availability, tariffs, logistics costs, commodity pricing - and translate exposure into plant-level risk mitigation strategiesAlign raw material procurement timing with seasonal production windows to optimize yield, quality, and cost performanceQUALIFICATIONSRequired8+ years of progressive operational leadership in food manufacturing - ingredient processing, juice, or beverage strongly preferredDemonstrated P&L ownership and budget management in a production environmentProven experience managing capital projects from planning through commissioningStrong labor management background - scheduling, cost control, and workforce developmentExperience integrating supply chain inputs with production planning and commercial commitmentsAbility to operate effectively as both an operator and a cross-functional integrator in a lean, entrepreneurial environmentPreferredDirect experience in citrus, juice, or industrial ingredient processingFamiliarity with organic certification requirements and quality compliance systemsExperience with value-added co-product recovery (essential oils, essences, or similar)