Sponsored: Row 7 Produce Operations Director
About Row 7 Seed Company: Row 7 is an organic food company built to reimagine food from seed to table. Working in collaboration with chefs, farmers and plant breeders, our mission is to introduce new plant varieties that bring unique culinary, nutritional and ecological value
to consumers. Through our online marketplace, Row 7 sells seeds that are 100% organic and unpatented. Since its inception 4 years ago, Row 7 has collaborated with stakeholders across the food chain in order to make delicious ingredients—and the stories behind them—more
accessible to all. Row 7 is looking for leaders in the produce field with expertise in sustainable produce supply chains for a new arm of our business.
Job Description
The Produce Operations Director is responsible for standing-up and scaling a new regional supply chain model for Row 7 produce that embodies our values and optimizes for flavor and freshness. This leader will be responsible for establishing a team and infrastructure needed
across contract growing, materials sourcing, logistics, customer service, order management, quality and information technology.
Location
Lower Hudson Valley, with 10-25% travel, depending on business needs
Responsibilities include:
● Design a regional produce supply chain model that delivers on the sustainability, quality, cost, and service parameters to achieve long-term Row 7 vision
● Identify the resources and infrastructure needed across supply chain to build-out the regional model
● Identify talent needs and hire team over a multi-year period of scaling growth through retail pilot, regional launch, and national roll-out
● Co-develop the Row 7 produce offering to ensure it delivers on the Row 7 produce standards and is set-up to deliver a profitable business model over time.
● Execute produce pilot with regional northeast grocery partner and overall regional scale-up
● With the sourcing team, cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with regional organic grower partners, beginning in the Northeast
● Oversee the crop planning and grower contract negotiation to ensure it meets overall Row 7 supply chain needs
● Implement regional logistics and warehousing solutions to support pilot and regional scale-up
● Develop order management and invoicing process to support rapid acceleration with established retail partners
● Manage sales operations, ensuring executional excellence in working directly with retail buyers and inventory managers.
● Oversee quality, food safety, and regenerative organic standards across the supply chain
● Identify and implement IT infrastructure needed during pilot and regional scale-up
● Develop inventory management strategies to address service and inventory risk exposure in the produce business, including identifying outlets for excess inventory.
● Identify long-term supply chain solutions and infrastructure needed to scale-up the regional model to other regions in the US
Required education and experience
● 6-8+ years of produce operations experience, with a strong preference for experience with organic and regenerative agriculture and systems
● End-to-end supply chain packer-shipper expertise
● Team development and leadership experience in a high-growth organization, including management of cross-functional teams
● Supply and inventory planning experience in produce
● Contract growing and/or agricultural growing experience
● Customer operations and produce selling experience
● Fluency with cost modeling and budget management
● Fluency in technology-enabled solutions for the produce space to support achieving quality, service, and cost goals.
The ideal candidate is
● eager to learn, build, and grow with an expanding organization
● loves to roll up their sleeves and wear multiple hats to get the job done
● experienced with Northeast produce supply chain networks, growers, and vendors
● Is motivated to drive sales
● proactive and can work independently with minimal guidance
● highly organized and accountable, able to meet deadlines and manage multiple
projects and priorities
● a skilled verbal and written communicator
● able to travel regularly, especially in and around the Northeast
● committed to lasting food system change
Reporting to: COO
Details
● Annual salary from $100k - $150k commensurate with experience
● Benefits including
○ Health Insurance
○ Dental Insurance
○ Employee Discount
○ Paid Time Off
○ Volunteer Time Off
To apply please send a cover letter, resume and two references to jobs@row7seeds.com with Row 7 Operations Director in the subject line
Row 7 is committed to centering equity and justice in our work and community. We encourage LGBTQIA+ , BIPOC candidates and members of other historically marginalized groups to apply.
