Vice president of operationslocation: tacámbaro, michoacán, mexico (on-site)reports to: president & chief operating officer.position overview:the vice president of operations will serve as the senior-most leader responsible for overseeing all operational activities at our tacámbaro, michoacán facility, the heart of our avocado production.reporting directly to the president & chief operating officer, this executive will be accountable for ensuring operational excellence, driving efficiency, and strengthening the connection between our u.s. and mexico operations.this role is both strategic and operational.the vp of operations will be deeply involved in enterprise-level strategy projects, with a particular focus on translating business strategies into effective production and supply chain execution. At the same time, the vp will be expected to provide hands-on leadership of plant operations, ensuring consistency in production, quality, safety, logistics, and engineering.a critical priority for this role will be leading a cultural transformation within mexico operations.the vp will build, mentor, and develop a high-performing leadership team, implement clear structures and accountability, and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. This includes establishing robust career development and succession pipelines to strengthen organizational resilience and reduce dependency on single leaders. This is a rare opportunity for a strong operational leader to make a lasting impact by shaping the future of our mexico operations, directly contributing to company growth, and serving as a key successor-level executive within the organization.key responsibilities:operational leadership:· lead all operations for the tacámbaro plant, including production, quality, safety, logistics, engineering, and maintenance.· ensure efficiency, compliance, and consistency across production lines and processes.· oversee day-to-day operations while driving long-term process improvements.strategic projects & execution· partner with executive leadership on company-wide strategic initiatives, ensuring operational readiness and flawless execution at the plant level.· serve as the operational expert in translating strategy into production-focused outcomes.· drive alignment between u.s. and mexico operations, ensuring continuity, communication, and integration.organizational development & culture· lead a cultural transformation within the mexico operations, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.· mentor and develop plant leadership teams, creating career development and succession pipelines for critical roles.· redesign organizational structure as needed to improve efficiency and clarify reporting lines.external relations & compliance· represent the company with local officials, government agencies, and key community stakeholders in mexico.· build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, partners, and regulatory authorities.· ensure compliance with all local, national, and international standards (quality, food safety, labor, and regulatory requirements).qualifications:· 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, production, or supply chain; minimum 7+ years in a senior executive or plant leadership role.· food manufacturing experience.· have had at least one relevant 2-3 year stint in food/petfood/babyfood manufacturing (if possible).· experience leading large-scale manufacturing/production operations in mexico (food/agriculture experience strongly preferred).· proven track record in strategy execution within operations and delivering measurable business results.· demonstrated success in leading organizational change and culture transformation.· strong cross-cultural leadership skills; ability to bridge mexico–u.s. operations.· excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with local and global stakeholders.· bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, supply chain, or related field· full-time presence in tacámbaro, michoacán required (relocation package available).