CEO

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Vision: Provide inspired leadership company-wide, establish a vision for the company's revitalization and renewed leadership in the industry, and implement the strategic plan to achieve that vision.
• Board Administration and Support: Support transparency, lead operations and administration of the Board by unifying, advising and informing Board members, and interfacing between Board members and staff regarding change management and vision for the company, its products and people.
• Strategic Planning and Implementation: Develop and implement strategic plans and change management that address the company's current challenges and position it for future success and leadership in the industry. Identify core business expertise and leverage these strengths to discover new business growth opportunities. Work closely with the Board of Directors to accelerate adoption, minimize resistance, and set achievable goals.
• Financial Performance: Oversee the fiscal activities of the organization including budgeting, reporting, and auditing, ensuring the company’s financial growth and long-term stability.
• Operational Management: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the company, ensuring that the organization's operations and processes are efficient and effective. Make high-level decisions about policy and strategy to navigate the revitalization process and recapture industry leadership.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders, balancing their self-interests with those of the company and its entire shareholder base. The CEO also needs to be comfortable “in the trenches” working with employees to boost productivity, motivation and share ideas, as well as customers, suppliers, and the community, to build trust and support during the transformation and revitalization phase.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements and manages risks to the organization, especially during the critical revitalization period.
• Human Resources and Talent Management: Attract, retain, and develop top talent under a compelling vision and shared purpose, ensuring the company has the human capital to achieve its strategic goals and regain its position as an industry leader.
• Culture Building: Embed the revitalized and bold vision into the company culture through consistent actions, decisions, and values, creating an environment where every team member can see their role in achieving the vision and feel empowered to contribute toward its success.
• Disruptor and Innovator: The CEO will help shape industry trends and stay ahead of competitors, pursuing appropriate disruptive ideas and innovation to set trends and ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the market and outpaces competitors.
• Funding and Investment Management: Demonstrate expertise in change management, value creation and working with external funding sources, such as private equity, to secure necessary capital for the company's revitalization and growth initiatives. Build and maintain relationships with investors and financial partners.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: Proven experience as a CEO or in other managerial positions, preferably in the produce or agricultural industry, with a successful track record in revitalizing companies, strong value creation, and recapturing market leadership.
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and engage a diverse team to achieve organizational goals, particularly during challenging times.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic planning skills with a track record of successful implementation of strategic initiatives, especially in recovery and market leadership scenarios.
• Financial Acumen: Strong financial management skills, including experience with budgeting and financial reporting, critical for overseeing business segments financial revitalization.
• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, especially during a revitalization and leadership recapture.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, essential for navigating a revitalization situation and regaining industry leadership.
• Industry Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the produce and agricultural industry, including market trends and regulatory requirements, beneficial for steering the company through revitalization and back to a leadership position.
• External Funding Expertise: Demonstrated experience in engaging with external funding sources, including private equity, to secure necessary capital for company initiatives.

Compensation

Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience, with potential performance incentives tied to successful revitalization and leadership recapture outcomes.

Please contact Katie, katie@producecareers.com