Director of Operations- AFIC@MCO

University of Arkansas•Fayetteville, NC

About The Position

The Director of Operations will provide leadership and operational management for the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks (AFIC@MCO). The Director will report to the Senior Associate Vice President for Agriculture–Research within the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Located in the heart of Downtown Springdale, the 45,000 sq/ft Market Center of the Ozarks was announced in 2022 and opened in May 2025. The nearly $31 million facility was designed by Patterhn Ives, a St. Louis-based architecture firm, and constructed the CDI Contractors, an Arkansas-based general contracting company. The center connects farmers and food entrepreneurs to infrastructure, education, and technical assistance and increase food security across the region. The Director of Operations will oversee the day-to-day management of all AFIC@MCO activities, including operations, budget administration, facilities management, and personnel supervision.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, business, or a related discipline.
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including at least four years in a supervisory or managerial role.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience managing technical or professional staff.
Experience in product and process development, food entrepreneurship, or management of food processing operations.
Demonstrated success in grant writing and project development.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven ability to build partnerships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, industry partners, researchers, and community organizations.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Food Science or a closely related field.
MBA or M.S. in Operations Management or a related discipline.
Professional experience in: o The food industry, including knowledge of research and development, quality control, and food processing/manufacturing, and/or o Entrepreneurship and startup support within food systems.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage the daily operations, budget, personnel, and programming of AFIC@MCO.
Provide innovative leadership in engaging food entrepreneurs and industry partners across Arkansas and the broader region to support the center’s mission of strengthening local and regional food systems.
Foster collaboration with regional food ecosystem partners in Northwest Arkansas as well as relevant research and extension programs within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Supervise the center’s staff, currently consisting of eight full-time and part-time employees.
Ensure that food entrepreneurs and clients receive high-quality support and services from the AFIC@MCO team.
Support staff responsible for education, research and development, and co-manufacturing activities by assisting with project management, prioritization, and ensuring that projects have clear timelines and deliverables.
Implement operational processes and systems that improve efficiency across functional areas and support increased facility utilization and revenue generation.
Develop and manage a volunteer program to support co-manufacturing and other activities that advance food entrepreneurship and strengthen the regional food system.
Track, monitor and report performance metrics for AFIC@MCO.
Participate on the MCO executive leadership committee with leadership from AFIC@MCO and Spring Creek Food Hub.
Participate in and initiate grant development and fundraising activities that advance the mission of AFIC@MCO.
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with regional food system organizations, industry partners, and stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of AFIC@MCO.
Evaluate and manage the center’s fee-for-service business model, including contracts, workshops, training programs, and grant-funded activities designed to generate revenue to support personnel and future growth.
Provide visible and inspiring leadership that positions AFIC@MCO as a premier regional center of excellence for food innovation and local and regional food systems.
Work with industry partners, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to effectively utilize the center’s facilities and equipment for the development and manufacture of new food products and processes.
Collaborate with Spring Creek Food Hub, which is co-located in the Market Center of the Ozarks facility.
Engage with the Market Center of the Ozarks Advisory Committee, other University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture centers, and regional partners to strengthen collaboration and program impact.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission of AFIC@MCO and the Division of Agriculture.