Director of Operations

Wanda Farms is a first-generation regenerative family farm with a vision to feed 10,000 families in the Midwest a healthier meal by 2030. We currently produce grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, pork, and eggs while serving customers through home delivery, farm pickup, farmers markets, subscriptions, and wholesale relationships. We are looking for a Director of Operations to help turn the CEO’s vision into consistent execution across the business. This person will serve as the operational leader and Integrator of Wanda Farms by developing leaders, coordinating departments, improving systems, managing projects, and making day-to-day operational decisions. The ideal candidate is a strong problem-solver, clear communicator, and servant leader who can bring structure and accountability to a growing company. The first 6–12 months will include learning Wanda Farms’ products, people, systems, customers, and industry while gradually assuming greater operational leadership/responsibility long-term. Measurable Areas of Effectiveness Leadership and Accountability Develop and support department leaders. Hold team members accountable to goals, responsibilities, and KPIs. Run effective leadership meetings and quarterly priorities. Build a culture of ownership, communication, and continuous improvement. Operational Execution Reduce the CEO’s involvement in daily operational decisions. Ensure projects and priorities are completed on time. Improve coordination between Warehouse, Delivery, Customer Service, Office Administration, Marketing, Sales, and Finance. Identify and remove operational bottlenecks. Efficiency and Profitability Improve labor efficiency and operational processes. Review operational performance and the P&L with the leadership team. Find opportunities to reduce waste, control costs, and improve profitability. Build systems and SOPs that support continued growth. Customer Experience Support Customer Service with major decisions, refunds, replacements, and complex customer issues. Identify recurring customer problems and work with the team to correct the root cause. Protect both customer satisfaction and company profitability. Key Responsibilities and Duties Lead the day-to-day operations of Wanda Farms. Translate company goals and the CEO’s vision into clear priorities and completed work. Develop and hold accountable the Warehouse Manager, Office Manager, Customer Service Representative, and Delivery Team. Lead weekly leadership meetings, quarterly priorities, and project tracking. Manage strategic projects such as facility improvements, equipment purchases, software implementation, and process changes. Coordinate communication and priorities between departments. Oversee Customer Service policies and major customer decisions. Support the Warehouse Manager in improving inventory accuracy, fulfillment, organization, and labor efficiency. Oversee delivery operations, vehicle maintenance, equipment repairs, and operational upkeep. Coordinate staffing needs and key personnel vacancies. Develop and review operational KPIs. Work closely with the Fractional CFO and leadership team to review costs, margins, and profitability. Continuously improve systems, processes, and accountability throughout the company. Requirements and Skill Sets Previous experience leading operations, teams, or complex projects. Strong leadership and employee-development skills. Ability to solve problems independently and make sound decisions. Strong organizational and project-management skills. Clear written and verbal communication. Ability to hold people accountable while leading with humility and respect. Comfortable reviewing KPIs, budgets, costs, and business performance. Proficient with technology, spreadsheets, and business-management systems. Willingness to learn the farm, food, fulfillment, delivery, and direct-to-consumer industries. Ability to work in a fast-growing, hands-on small-business environment. Willingness to take responsibility for outcomes, mistakes, and areas for improvement. This is not a desk-only executive position. The Director of Operations must be willing to learn every area of the business, work alongside the team when needed, and manage the operation as if it were their own. Expected Work Primarily Monday through Friday 7 am - 4 pm 40-45 hours per week Occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends as business needs require Compensation Competitive salary based on experience Performance-based KPI bonus opportunity Farm store food credit 1 week paid vacation Paid personal leadership/education opportunities Purposeful work beyond any corporate benefits #J-18808-Ljbffr