Senior Operations Manager

Role: Senior Operations Manager 
Location: Al Ain (On Site), United Arab Emirates 
Reporting to: Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

WHO WE ARE
Pure Harvest Smart Farms is a UAE-based, high-tech agriculture start-up. We develop and operate high-tech, climate- controlled farms to grow a variety of crops and sell our products directly into the markets in which we operate. In early-2018 we successfully deployed our first-ever farm in Nahel, Al Ain growing a wide variety of flavourful tomatoes that “Taste Like They Should TM”. Our products are selling-out at major retailers in the UAE and are consumed at an assortment of elite restaurants & hotels. Our brand is associated with incredibly tasty produce and we are quickly building a loyal and vocal customer base. We are now expanding into new crops (strawberries and leafy greens) and into new geographies (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait). Technology, data, and innovation are core to our ethos, and we aim to redefine the Middle Eastern agricultural sector. We are passionate about what we do, and we are believers in the growth potential of the company. Our team is multi-cultural (American, European, African, Middle Eastern, South Asian), and our backgrounds diverse (horticulture, engineering, private equity, management consulting, retail, marketing, etc.). Never a boring day at Pure Harvest.

In recognition of regional vulnerabilities associated with food import dependence, water scarcity and sustainability, Pure Harvest is committed to resource efficiency and to overcoming climate challenges to affordably deliver premium quality fresh produce to the Middle East.

WHO YOU ARE
We are looking for a dynamic person who will be responsible for the successful delivery of our final product to customers, cost effectively and taste like they should. That is, whenever You bite into any of our produce, it will taste the way it is meant to taste like.

You should be well versed and experienced in driving, building and steering people to deliver on company objectives. As a candidate we will be looking into how you have demonstrated your capabilities at a reputable organisation and the experience that you can build on within a fast-growing company like Pure Harvest. Ideally you are a candidate that can be trusted, with a high standard in work ethics, that doesn’t shy away from challenging situations, and the ability to deliver high performance with minimal oversight.

FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Successful operational execution across all Pure Harvest Sites

• Ensure the building designs are in line with the requirements of the service area
• Ensure all the required materials for the service area (incl. office furniture, irrigation room etc.) is purchased in time for ensuring packing takes place as per plan

Own all operational KPI’s across the farms and report on the same

• Overall responsible for the packing as per customer requirements in line with the standards in the most efficient way
• Own the KPIs and performance management in the organization
• Drive awareness of the relevant targets and achievement of the same
• Maintaining high service level delivery

Manage the complete farm related activities

• Responsible for managing the packhouse supervisors across the farms and across the locations
• Manage the inventory at the farm as well with the help of delivery and inventory in charge – ensure the inventory matches with the books and all entries are made in the system

Budget preparation, owning the budget and cascading the responsibility across operations

• Responsibility of budget preparation for all the functions across the farm
• Tracking of the budget and own the operations CAPEX project planning and improving the operations.
• Control and improvement of operational cost effectiveness

Set up processes, ensure regular reporting and set targets

• Set up operations process across operations value chain from communicating orders, packing and communicating packing fulfilment and transport
• Ensure regular reporting of insightful data
• Set ambitious targets and support the organization to achieve them
• Identify quality control issues and offer ways to improve
• Adherence to and development of the businesses quality systems

People and Labour Management

• Create and manage the playbook for setting up operations in different farms and creating clear standardisation of operational cadence across all sites
• Develop, implement, and review processes and procedures
• Manages and motivates a high performing team, developing colleagues through stretching objectives, feedback and coaching, contributing to their development and providing on-going support
• Examine data and help forecast any long-term workforce planning
• Act in the best interest of Pure Harvest and your colleagues

Quality, Health, and Safety

• Work closely with the Quality and health and Safety team, ensuring standards are in line with regulations
• Management of the Fire Wardens and First Aiders on site
• Responsible for site health, safety and welfare of all individuals, contractors and third parties

YOUR COMPETENCIES – CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS

• Leadership - able to contribute valuably as a member of the senior leadership team and simultaneously inspire and connect with the whole business. Have proven ability to build and inspire high performing and engaging teams
• Cultural Alignment - you are a culture leader and model the behaviours expected from everyone in the company
• Business Acumen - have a strategic mindset and skills to stay at the top of tactical execution and translating business challenges
• Technical Competency – Strong background in creating systems, processes, and procedures to establish framework for scalability in the organization including ERP system implementation and development
• Change Architect - strong experience in change management with a proven track record of successful business transformation
• Resilience - resilient and authentic with the ability to help manage frequent and complex ups and downs, while being open and transparent with employees
• Problem Solver - pragmatic, curious and flexible, fostering trust. Willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in with the team but also able to think and plan strategically
• Decision making - The ability to make decisions around things such as requirement prioritisation, scope, assessing viability of solutions etc
• Delivering Results - Identifies opportunities or potential problems that are not obvious to others; anticipates obstacles, pre-empts potential problems and takes action to avoid them or to minimise their impact
• Persuading and Influencing – builds credibility and exhibits trustworthy behaviours and maintains positive relationships during all stages of negotiations, especially when resolving issues
• Communicating and Presenting (with impact) Communicates a compelling vision of the company that generates optimism, enthusiasm and energy and ability to present findings and recommendations to senior leaders

REQUIREMENTS

• 15+years’ experience working in an FMCG or Fresh food environment in either supply chain or operations with a minimum 8 years managerial experience
• Experience of Quality management, Logistics, Packing or manufacturing
• The candidate will have a proven track record delivering successful outcomes and working collaboratively with other departments to reach common business goals
• A consultative approach to engaging, influencing and supporting stakeholders
• Experience of problems solving and analytical skills
• Experience in setting up processes, and procedures to establish framework for scalability in the organization
• Evidence of seeking out new ways of driving commercial value, cost optimization and risk management
• Ability to manage complex change within an organisation
• Delivering in a pressurised environment
• Experience budgeting and forecasting
• 6 sigma trained

Please send your resume and cover letter to hirehub@pureharvestfarms.com

Please note although we are unable to follow-up with each-and-every applicant, we do our absolute best to conduct a systematic hiring process for candidates with whom we identify a potential fit

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