Ops Manager/Ops Trainee

Ops Manager/Ops Trainee

A well-established agricultural cooperative is seeking a hands-on leader to help guide a diversified location serving a tight-knit community in Delaware. This operation is very stable and has a good mix of business across agronomy, energy, animal nutrition and farm retail. This role offers the right person an opportunity to make an immediate impact in retail operations and team supervision while learning the broader business with the expectation to move into the manager role after a time of transition.

The position may be filled as an Operations Manager or Manager Trainee depending on experience. A more experienced candidate may assume responsibility more quickly, while a developing leader will receive at least a year of hands-on training and exposure across the location. This is not a desk-only position; success will require visible leadership at the location, a willingness to learn the operation from the ground up and the confidence to lead experienced employees with respect and accountability.

This role will be responsible for:

• Learning the location’s full operation and gradually assuming broader management responsibility through a planned transition with the current manager.
• Supporting training on company systems, operating procedures, inventory practices, merchandising, safety expectations and customer service standards.
• Working alongside employees during busy periods and helping wherever needed in a practical, hands-on farm supply environment.
• Building relationships with customers, employees and community members throughout their market.

Expectations will include:

• Learning all facets of the business.
• Respecting the knowledge, customer relationships and established responsibilities of long-tenured team members while bringing clearer supervision and coordination to the overall operation.
• Partnering with long tenured employee to understand the business.
• Understanding the operational and financial drivers.
• Helping identify opportunities to strengthen store performance, improve workflow and grow business with area farms, homeowners and the region’s active horse industry.
• Maintaining well-kept facilities and equipment, reinforcing safe work practices and helping ensure the location is ready to serve customers each day.
• Demonstrating the work ethic and seasonal flexibility expected in agriculture, including additional hours during peak periods.

A qualified candidate will possess:

• Prior experience in agricultural retail, agronomy, farm supply, energy, operations, warehouse/distribution or a related hands-on business environment.
• Enough practical agriculture or operations knowledge to earn credibility with experienced employees and customers; this is not designed as a first exposure to agricultural work.
• Demonstrated leadership potential or prior supervisory experience, with the ability to direct work, coach employees and address performance issues respectfully.
• A humble, team-first leadership style and the willingness to learn from long-tenured employees before making changes.
• Strong organization, communication, customer service and problem-solving skills, along with comfort learning business software and operating systems.
• The physical ability and willingness to work on the retail floor and assist with the normal demands of a farm store environment.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to meet company employment, safety and insurability requirements.
• A degree in agriculture, business or a related field is helpful but not required when supported by relevant experience and leadership capability.

Compensation and Benefits: Compensation is expected to range from $60,000 to $80,000, based on experience and readiness to assume responsibility. The organization offers a strong vacation program, excellent insurance and a 401(k) program.

*Candidates must be eligible to work in the US as well as meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered for the Operations Manager job.

Job Id: 18115