CEO, Dairy Processing and Manufacturing

CEO, Dairy Processing and Manufacturing

Our client, Valley Milk, is a highly-reputable, dairy processing and manufacturing company, based in Turlock, CA. They are looking for their next CEO. This is a growth opportunity for an innovative, business-savvy executive who possesses a successful leadership and sales acumen along with an ability to add value to existing products while helping to spearhead new product and customer development. This is a perfect time in the company’s history for an opportunity like this to become available.

The U.S. dairy industry grapples with significant challenges, including environmental concerns, economic volatility driven by fluctuating milk prices and rising input costs, and the increasing competition from plant-based alternatives. However, these challenges also present innovative opportunities for Valley Milk to expand their product set to serve existing and future customers.

By focusing on the production of stable dairy products (like anhydrous milk fat, cream and infant grade milk powders), the industry can extend shelf life, expand into new markets, and create value-added products that meet evolving consumer demands. These innovations not only offer solutions to economic pressures by diversifying product lines and increasing export potential but also address sustainability concerns through efficient processing and reduced waste, allowing the dairy sector to navigate its complex landscape while remaining a vital part of the U.S. agricultural economy.

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) this is your chance to lead a cutting-edge organization that seamlessly blends multi-generational heritage with forward-thinking innovation. With a solid strategic foundation, world-class engineering, and a robust financial structure, this role offers the unique privilege of guiding a highly successful group of dairymen and professionals toward continued growth and profitability.

If you are an accomplished leader in the food industry with a passion for innovation and a respect for tradition, this is the moment to make a lasting impact on the future of value-added dairy products.

Your stewardship will help our client become the gold standard in world-class dairy ingredient processing, shaping the future of sustainable dairy products across the globe. This is a chance to not only lead but to inspire transformation in an industry that feeds the world.

Your leadership, vision, and passion are essential to making this mission a success.

Do you have the strategic vision and leadership skills necessary to drive growth and profitability in a dynamic and competitive dairy industry?

How well does your experience and expertise in dairy or comparable food processing, manufacturing and marketing align with a focus on high value, differentiated products?

Do you possess the financial acumen to develop and execute a strategic plan that optimizes margins, reduces risk, and leverages value added products?

Valley Milk was founded by multi-generational, milk-producing families alongside nutrition experts and animal doctors. They are aiming to be a global leader in dairy component processing. The organization prioritizes excellence, safety, and sustainability, with a cutting-edge processing plant supplied by local farms, creating a fully integrated system.

Their core values are built upon a resilient family foundation and a strong commitment to customers, striving for superior service and innovative solutions. These values include:

Integrity - Ensuring ethical, honest, and responsible actions

Quality - Driven by a passion for premium dairy ingredients and customer satisfaction

Safety - An uncompromising commitment to health and food safety

Respect - For employees, customers, animals, the environment, and the community

Innovation - Driving improvements in products and processes

If you’re interested and would like to learn more, please click here

THE OPPORTUNITY:

We’re seeking a dynamic business leader who combines entrepreneurial insight and determination with proven skills in building organizations. The right person will blend strategic vision with hands-on implementation, thriving in their private company environment owned by family business stakeholders. This individual must demonstrate both intellectual capability and a willingness to engage directly in operations.

The optimal candidate will focus on these important fundamental duties:

Strategic growth management - Developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to transition the business from commodity-focused to value-added products while ensuring both top-line and bottom-line growth. This includes identifying new product opportunities and optimizing the marketing plan for better returns.

Financial performance and risk management - Ensuring robust financial reporting that clearly tracks profitability by product, channel, customer, and SKU while implementing effective risk management programs to secure profits and control losses in the volatile dairy industry.

Leadership and organizational development - Building and leading a high-performance team while establishing the organizational structure, policies, and operational metrics needed to support the company's growth trajectory and strategic shift toward value-added products.

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Commercial operations began in 2018 at a newly constructed, state-of-the-art, processing facility. Valley Milk is supplied by a number of dairy farms, all within 45 miles of the plant, forming full end-to-end integration. A fundamental part of their promise is to foster core values representing integrity, respect, innovation, promotion of a healthy and safe work environment, and commitment to their customers.

The company markets products both domestically and internationally dependent on market conditions having developed numerous value-added products and customers around the world. Current processing capabilities enable the manufacturing of standard, agglomerated, vitamin fortified and instantized ingredients. The company continues to evaluate the potential of manufacturing additional value-added products.

THE ROLE DETAILS:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The CEO will be expected to provide strategic leadership accelerating the growth of the business from its current state while continuing to expand the top line and bottom line of the business. The CEO will be responsible for the development and successful execution of a strategic plan to advance the company's mission and objectives and to promote organizational, revenue and profitability growth. Ideation, development and implementation of new products and business opportunities will be a key attribute of the successful candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and implement a strategic plan to increase revenues and profitability, and reduce risk

Continue to build and lead a high-performance leadership team.

Continuously optimize the marketing plan to include new products and marketing channels/partners for optimized returns, by moving towards value-added products and away from commodities.

Monitor the risk management program to lock in profits and control losses.

Ensure financial reporting and analysis that clearly identifies costs and profitability by product, channel, customer, and SKU resulting in margin and profitability growth over time.

Review the company’s operating procedures, policies, and standards, to ensure the company has an effective organizational structure, and clearly defined operational metrics.

Identify strategic alliance and collaboration opportunities and direct implementation activities.

Oversee company operations to insure production efficiency, quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources.

Promote the company through written articles and personal appearances at conferences and on radio and TV; represent the company at legislative sessions, committee meetings, and formal functions.

Present company strategy and performance at board and owner’s meetings.

Embrace and promote the company’s heritage and culture.

Percent travel is estimated at 20-30%.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of ten (10) years in a senior leadership position in a dairy processing company, or similar agribusiness concern, with proven performance history.

A strategic leader and quantitative decision maker who is ideally a recognized leader in the dairy processing and marketing sector, or similar marketplace.

Deep knowledge and expertise in dairy (or similar) domestically and internationally with a broad range of high quality relationships to help foster growth.

Demonstrated capabilities in development and execution of sophisticated risk management policies combined with the high-level financial management abilities.

Experience in strategic planning and execution.

Ability to develop financial plans and manage resources.

Ability to analyze and interpret financial data.

Knowledge of public relations principles and practices.

Knowledge of communication and public relation techniques.

Ability to develop and deliver presentations.

SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES:

An excellent communicator with the ability to identify extraordinary business opportunities and has an exemplary record of solving complex problems.

A highly skilled motivator and a proven ability to work well with a Board, peers, and subordinates.

Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.

Holds self and others accountable.

EDUCATION:

A four-year degree in a relevant field is required.

MBA is preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Commensurate CEO-Level compensation and benefits package

Estimated base pay range of $260,000 - $390,000

Additional bonus incentives on top of base compensation

Platinum benefits plan including medical, dental and vision

Vacation, sick leave, ten (10) paid holidays

If you’re interested and would like to learn more, click here

KEYWORDS:

CEO, strategic leadership, visionary leader, business growth, profitability, risk management, operational efficiency, organizational structure, high-performance team, decision-making, financial management, stakeholder engagement, strategic alliances, innovation, entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving, relationship building, team motivation, analytical skills, business acumen, accountability, public relations, brand promotion, dairy processing, milk powder production, food industry, vertically integrated processor, value-added products, high-quality ingredients, anhydrous milk fat (AMF), skim milk powder, non-fat dry milk, whole milk powder (WMP), milk protein concentrate, supply chain management, product development, process optimization, manufacturing efficiency, quality assurance, capital investment, financial reporting, margin analysis, KPI tracking

EEOC STATEMENT:

We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. If you can do this job you will not be denied consideration.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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