Chief Operating Officer

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com.

Did we convince you yet? If not, check out our unique benefits

• Free onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Relaxation rooms (based on location).
• Coffee and gelato bar (based on location).
• State of the art corporate building: https://www.grande.com/careers/#office
  
  

Why Fond du Lac?

In Fond du Lac (FDL) you get the full four-season experience – warm in the summer with highs reaching into the 80s and plenty of sunshine for golf, biking, camping and live music under the open sky, and brisk air in the winter with average temps in the 20s and ample snow for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and winter festivals. The greater FDL area (population 43,000) is easy to get around and roughly an hour drive to almost all major metros in the state (Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Cities/Green Bay). We’ve been rated “Top 100” in job growth among small U.S. metro areas. Additionally, our cost of living is 4% below the national average and you’ll pay 21% less for housing, rent and property taxes compared to the rest of the country. From wonderful educational partners (public and private K12 schools and three local colleges/universities), a plethora of things to do/see, and a vibrant business and commerce community…learn more about how you can call Fond du Lac, HOME!

Job Summary

Grande is seeking a strategic thinker with a passion for operational excellence and a proven track record of success in a sophisticated, regulated manufacturing environment for our available role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). As the COO, you will play a pivotal role in strategic and operational leadership across the Enterprise holding ultimate responsibility for ongoing business operations. You will lead and manage Grande's Operations departments, setting and implementing an operational strategy and vision for long-term success. This will include ensuring Product Supply departments are aligned and delivering business unit needs. Success in this role will be demonstrated through modeling a commitment to continuous improvement and effective cross functional leadership and communication.

Equally important to your operational expertise is your ability to build trust and deliver value while fostering the growth and development of our Associates. As COO, you will play a crucial role in mentoring your team, providing guidance, resources, and support for their success. Your leadership will inspire a culture of collaboration, engagement, and continuous professional development. You will also serve as a trusted advisor to both internal and external stakeholders, offering strategic operational insights and solutions that drive business objectives while being a champion of Grande values and culture. The ideal candidate will be committed to developing Associates, building strong relationships, and aligning teams with business goals, ensuring long-term success for both the team and the organization.

What you need to be considered for the role:

• MBA or other Master's Degree in a related field required, with Bachelors Degree in a Business related field required.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years in an executive or a senior leadership role in a sophisticated, regulated manufacturing environment, preferably with a well-recognized food manufacturing company is required.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form to all audiences and in a clear, smooth, and direct way.
• Ability to partner with all levels of the organization and gain respect from all constituents.
• Ability to take accountability for the success or failure of all projects under your control.
• Ability to lead large groups of people to successful completion of projects.
• Ability to combine strategic perspective at the enterprise level with a deep understanding of business drivers of financial performance.
• Strong talent recruitment, development and retention capabilities.
• Ability to function at executive and Board of Directors level at a very high standard.
• Ability to combine superb analytical skills with practical business knowledge.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food processing, regulatory affairs, food safety & quality, raw materials, and manufacturing practices. Must have a strong grasp of current market trends and the competitive landscape of the industry.
• Ability to read and navigate the income statement and balance sheet, understand ROIC, IRR, and business-value creation appreciation.