Director of Operations at Mid Kansas Cooperative – Walton, Kansas

JOB SUMMARY: Directs all operations for the locations in the specified area. Directs all management personnel in the specified area to complete their job responsibilities and to work with and assist the employees of the other Director of Operations as well as the Senior Management team to maximize efficiencies of personnel and assets. Supervises the efforts of all direct reports in coordination with the sales and marketing management team to help meet the goals of the sales team in their area to increase product sales, increase acreage served, and provide excellent customer service to producers. This person is a direct reflection of MKC’s 4-Keys and leads using them. Ensures all employees practice the company’s safety policies and comply with all applicable regulations. Serves as point person for providing excellent customer service and solving any customer complaints. Maintains clean and aesthetically pleasing assets. Works to promote innovation. Participates with the logistics team on the daily tactical execution of plans and senior management for building and executing on operations strategy. This position will work across all divisions to utilize assets and people for the best strategic and efficiency benefits for the cooperative and the customer This position is responsible for the financial performance of their assigned area and coordinating with peers to meet or exceed the overall financial performance goals of MKC. Completes special projects as assigned by VP of Operations.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Proven management skills.
2. Ability to learn the basic operational knowledge of each location’s grain, petroleum, and feed handling operation, facility, and machinery.
3. Basic working knowledge of the characteristics of the area’s stored grains, petroleum products, and feed products.
4. Basic understanding of or ability to learn local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to agronomy.
5. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
6. Ability to read and analyze financial documents.
7. Obtain or hold 7B grain fumigation license if overseeing grain division or obtain and hold a 1A applicator license and CCA licensure if overseeing agronomy division.
8. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, employees, customers, regulatory agencies, and the public.
9. Ability to read and respond to e-mail and use the Microsoft offices suite of programs.
10. Ability to react to change and handle multiple tasks as assigned.
11. Desire to exceed customer expectations and be operationally excellent.
12. Ability to read, interpret, and apply common scientific, technical, and legal information.
13. Ability to write and log information, produce reports, and verbally communicate information to fellow employees.
14. Ability to obtain and maintain a current valid in state driver’s license.

1. Know and enforce MKC’s 4-Keys.
2. Execute upon MKC’s Corporate strategic plan and any specific divisional strategic plans.
3. Ensure all locations operation functions are operated in the most efficient manner possible efficiently using available staff and assets. Ensure all equipment at each location is in the highest possible operating condition. This includes all rolling stock as well as stationary equipment. Schedule and budget all major repairs and upgrades to the facility. Maintain the inventory and services at each location to the highest standard of quality possible. For grain operations, make sure samples are taken and inspection grades placed on all incoming and outgoing grain shipments as a basis for accurate pricing and report the grade and quantity of grain going into storage to each location office. Provide efficient and quality grain drying and seed cleaning services at the locations. Work with MKC Director of Organization and Operational Excellence to ensure all critical and necessary processes are recorded in an SOP and that all SOP’s are up to date for the specific locations and job positions.
4. Coordinate with feed, petroleum, grain, and agronomy sales teams so sales and operations are efficiently meeting defined MKC sales goals and exceeding customer expectations resulting in an excellent customer experience.
5. Ensure each location is:
6. in compliance with OSHA, state, and federal safety regulations; maintaining equipment and facilities regularly.
7. following housekeeping standards to keep facilities neat and clean.
8. maintains inventory quality and levels and inspects and counts inventories regularly.
9. and conducts safety training classes with their staff to ensure all staff is trained appropriately for their specific job.
10. Ensure each location employee, in their assigned area, is trained and able make recommendations to customers using best practices to provide grower success and ensure effective delivery of grain services to customers.
11. Grow your area’s customer base by enhancing the profitability of your customers and MKC while providing an excellent customer experience.
12. Motivate and encourage your managers and employees to work with the managers and employees from all areas when the need arises. Ensure your employees maintain a positive attitude that promotes the 4-Keys and teamwork within the cooperative.
13. Supervisory responsibilities include training, written performance appraisals, and coordinating with VP of Operations and Human Resources for the hiring, salary evaluation, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination decisions of all employees in your area.
14. Attend product, merchandising, and cooperative meetings and work to improve personal skills and knowledge. Strive to learn and implement new and more efficient techniques to improve your performance and company profitability.
15. Work with logistics team and/or procurement team to make sure that product storage and movements in and out of facilities are efficient, manageable, realistic, and can exceed producer and end-user customer expectations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Ability to use provided PPE as required. This could include hardhats, safety glasses, hearing protection, ventilators/masks, gloves, long sleeved shirts, etc.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

A bachelor’s degree in an agricultural field plus 5 years of work experience or at least ten years of work experience in an agricultural related field with positions of increasing authority including management.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Job involves work in dusty, windy, hot, humid, cold, or wet conditions; work around moving mechanical parts; high precarious situations; tight hard to access spaces; fumes or airborne particles; and moderate short term noise exposure.