Director, Operations - Performance Specialty Meat & Seafood

We Deliver the Goods: Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America’s food distribution system Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect Position Purpose The Director, Operations - Performance Specialty Meat & Seafood leads operational performance across the specialty protein network, ensuring excellence in meat and seafood processing, inventory management, product quality, food safety, customer service, profitability, and continuous improvement. This position partners with Operating Companies, Specialty Leadership, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, Procurement, and facility leadership to develop and execute operational strategies that improve service levels, optimize throughput, increase productivity, reduce costs, and support profitable growth while maintaining industry-leading food safety and quality standards. Major Functional Responsibilities Develop and execute operational strategies that support profitable growth, capacity optimization, productivity improvement, and customer service objectives across the Specialty Meat & Seafood network, including embedded cut shops. Lead and standardize operational execution across processing and distribution facilities by implementing best practices, performance standards, and continuous improvement initiatives. Direct operational performance to achieve budget, operating profit, EBITDA, return-on-sales, and other financial objectives while identifying opportunities to improve labor productivity, yields, and expense management. Partner with Finance to monitor operating metrics, evaluate performance trends, implement corrective actions, and develop business cases supporting capital investments and operational improvement projects. Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, regulatory, and workplace safety requirements, including USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, and company policies. Establish, monitor, and continuously improve quality assurance, food safety, and audit programs that protect product integrity, customer confidence, and regulatory compliance. Oversee inventory management strategies that optimize product availability, inventory accuracy, fill rates, and service levels while reducing spoilage, shrink, and excess inventory. Collaborate with Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Finance, Operating Companies, and facility leadership to align operational priorities with business objectives and customer requirements. Utilize operational analytics, KPI reporting, and technology solutions to improve visibility, efficiency, throughput, productivity, and overall operational performance. Evaluate facility capabilities, processing capacity, and network optimization opportunities, and develop short- and long-term capacity plans that support business growth. Lead operational assessments, strategic projects, acquisitions, integrations, expansions, and consolidation initiatives to strengthen network performance and scalability. Provide leadership, coaching, talent development, succession planning, and performance management for operations leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance. Provide feedback on BizChat Performs other duties as assigned Complies with all policies and standards