The Chapman Group is happy to support our client, Larkin Farms, in this recruitment.
About Larkin Farms
At Larkin Farms, we farm with integrity because we care, and we know you do too. From our farm to your table, we are committed to the welfare of our birds and producing the highest quality poultry, so you can enjoy healthy, easy, and delicious meals. We embrace farming traditions that make sense and believe that happy meals start with happy turkeys and chickens.
We provide our birds with a cage-free and comfortable environment. We take a hands-on approach to caring for our flock, providing them with fresh bedding, water, and anything else they need. We feed our flock a high-quality vegetarian diet with no animal byproducts, and we never use hormones, medications, or antibiotics.
Innovation and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do at Larkin Farms. That's why we also process our own turkeys and chickens, ensuring a minimum-stress environment and the very best practices at every stage of their life.
You can find Larkin Farms' chicken and turkey products on our online shop or at grocery retailers across Prince Edward Island, the Charlottetown Farmers' Market, and our retail shop in Crapaud. You'll also find many local restaurants serving delicious Larkin chicken and turkey dishes.
Working With Us
As a valued member of our dedicated Larkin team, you can expect the following benefits and perks:
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Performance-based bonus structure.
- Comprehensive health and dental program (50/50 employer/employee split).
- 3-weeks of vacation upon hire.
- Employee discount.
Join our incredible team and become a key player in our mission to sustainably produce high-quality food for our community while preserving the legacy of our family farm. Apply now to be considered for this exciting opportunity!
Job Description
The Head of Operations is responsible for overseeing and managing the company's plant and operations to maximize process efficiency and productivity. This includes developing and implementing plans, policies, and procedures to ensure adequate supply as well as maintaining and reporting accurate inventories. In addition, the Head of Operations will manage human resources, physical assets, processes, safety, and quality within the plant.
This position reports to the Owners who are actively involved in business and will interact effectively with other parts of the company and be viewed as a trusted team member by all.
The Head of Operations will have the main areas of responsibility:
Overseeing Plant Operations:
- Lead and manage all aspects of the turkey and poultry meat processing plant's operations, ensuring smooth and efficient production processes from receiving raw materials to final product shipment.
- Coordinate and direct daily operations of the plant; including production schedules and staffing.
- Coordinate activities for the upcoming week and beyond.
- Manage labour costs and employee performance by establishing clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against goals, ensuring timely feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.
- Work closely with owner and farm manager for communication on upcoming production to assist with future planning and staffing requirements.
Quality Assurance:
- Oversee HCAAP / Food Safety plan to ensure standards are being maintained.
- Responsible for quality assurance and ensuring that all control measures and reporting requirements are adhered to (refer to food safety manual, etc.).
- Responsible for maintaining traceability.
Production Planning:
Develop and execute production plans balancing supply and customer demand while optimizing resource utilization and minimizing waste.
Inventory Management:
Control inventory levels of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products, ensuring adequate supply to support production schedules while minimizing excess inventory.
Equipment Maintenance:
Ensure all production equipment is properly maintained and in optimal working condition to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. Maintain inventory of critical machine items/spare parts, and order supplies related to machine maintenance.
Safety and Compliance:
Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations, enforcing policies and procedures to create a safe working environment for all employees.
Cost Management:
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce production costs without sacrificing quality, through process optimization, waste reduction, and strategic sourcing.
Product Development:
Manage Product Development to increase volumes to reach target goals and promote growth.
Continuous Improvement:
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement by evaluating performance metrics and identifying opportunities for innovation and efficiency gains.
- Analyze, evaluate, and interpret monthly, quarterly, and annual trend data that promotes effective management of priorities, leverages strengths and quickly identifies target areas of opportunity for improvement.
Team Management:
Supervise and provide leadership to the production team, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management, to ensure a motivated and productive workforce.
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field.
- Proven experience in an operations or production environment.
- Working knowledge of ERP systems.
- Food Safety certification or willingness to obtain.
Key Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to foster strong relationships with key business partners.
- Strong work-ethic and willingness to take a hands-on leadership role.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment and lead by example.
- Ability to effectively balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
- A positive 'can-do' attitude.
