Company description

Founded by chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, 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.  Since its inception 5 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.  Through our online marketplace, Row 7 sells organic seeds to home gardeners and growers.  In the last year, Row 7 launched a line of branded organic vegetables for sale in grocery stores throughout the Northeast and has plans to expand nationwide.

Job description

Row 7 is eager to connect with proven and resourceful professionals who have successfully scaled and managed supply chain systems and are recognized for building and enhancing creative and diverse teams. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to adapt to dynamic market conditions and integrate forward-thinking solutions. A background in organic agriculture and systems is preferred. Join Row 7 in revolutionizing a seed-to-retail supply chain–where innovation meets flavor.

   

The Supply Chain Vice President will lead the design, establishment, and scaling of a vertically integrated organic seed-to-retail supply chain model for Row 7 seeds and produce, emphasizing our values and prioritizing flavor, innovation, and freshness.  This pivotal executive will be responsible for forming and overseeing teams and infrastructure in contract growing, materials sourcing, logistics, customer service, order management, product quality, and information technology.

Location

Hybrid or Remote: West Coast or Hudson Valley, NY, with 50% travel, depending on business needs

Responsibilities include

Supply Chain Strategy & Planning

• Design a scalable regional produce supply chain model prioritizing  flavor, sustainability, quality, cost, and service—creating a framework for  Row 7  to realize its long-term vision
• Build out an operational and team infrastructure for a multi-year, national roll-out 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align strategies with Row 7’s overall business objectives
• Establish dynamic and obtainable key performance indicators integrated with Row 7’s priorities to elevate quality, customer service, and sustainability 
• Foster and maintain a culture consistent with Row 7’s mission and community values
• Collaborate with leadership to build a sustainable cost structure

Contract Growing

• Guide seed and produce sourcing team members in cultivating and maintaining  long-term relationships with regional organic grower partners
• Direct  crop planning and grower contract negotiations to align initiatives with Row 7’s supply chain needs 
• Develop metrics incentivizing seed quality and addressing crop loss 

Quality & Sustainability Systems 

• Implement quality and food safety systems across the supply chain

• Steward the development of product specifications for unique plant varietals

• Design and administer organic and sustainability standards for Row 7’s agricultural model 

Logistics & Information Technology

• Identify necessary resources and infrastructure for the regional model across the Row 7 supply chain
• Apply regional logistics and distribution processes, ensuring timely product delivery while maintaining quality  
• Shape inventory management strategies to mitigate service and inventory risk exposure, including identifying outlets for excess inventory
• Identify and implement IT infrastructure supporting  achieving quality, service, and cost goals

Customer Service

• Manage sales operations, ensuring excellence in direct collaboration with retail buyers and inventory managers
• Establish order management and invoicing processes to support rapid acceleration with established retail partners
• Co-create the Row 7 produce offerings, ensuring alignment with Row 7 produce standards and a profitable business model 

Required education and experience 

• 10+ years of produce operations experience, with a strong preference for experience designing and scaling organic 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
• Demonstrated expertise in supply chain best practices, including procurement, logistics, distribution, and inventory management
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills, with experience in growing contracts
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills 
• Customer operations and produce selling experience
• Fluency with cost modeling and budget management
• Experience in produce, seed systems and plant breeding preferred 

Reporting to
Chief Operating Officer

Details

• Annual salary from $185K commensurate with experience
• Benefits including
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • 401(k)
  • Employee Discount
  • Paid Time Off
  • Volunteer Time Off

Compensation this position is : salaried, varies DOE, $185,000.00 - $200,000.00 Location job can be done remotely Application instructions DeadlineDecember 22, 2023