MSABD Operations Director

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

33d•$110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery (MSABD) program is part of UW-Madison’s Animal & Dairy Sciences department and a long-standing tradition. The MSABD program prioritizes the missions of research, teaching, and outreach, and the building represents a nearly $60 million investment made possible by significant support from the State and numerous alumni, businesses, and friends. The MSABD building serves as a hub for problem-solvers looking to improve the meat industry, animal and human health, agriculture, the environment, and overall quality of life in Wisconsin, the U.S., and beyond. This position will serve as the facility and operations director and represents a shared objective between Campus and CALS common investment to ensure that the facility meets the operational mission and objectives and is fully compliant with all applicable regulations. This position will report directly to the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and receive input and strategic direction from the Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M). The Operations Director manages all aspects of the facility, overseeing operations, budgets, staff and the processes that ensure that quality and food safety requirements are met. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to, developing strategic plans, implementing process improvements, ensuring regulatory compliance, serving as a liaison to internal and external groups including regulatory entities and industry partners, and promoting a high-performance culture.

Requirements

A combined minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing the overall operations of a meat harvest and meat processing facility. Examples include production, quality control, food safety, and maintenance
Minimum of 5 years of formal supervisory experience – building and leading cross-functional teams of diverse individuals. Experience with growing, coaching, and mentoring work teams
Demonstrated ability to serve in a leadership capacity specifically relating to evaluating, planning, implementing, managing, and advocating for organizational changes to achieve desired goals and outcomes
Budget experience (e.g., working with leadership to determine an operating budget, managing a budget, advocating to secure resources)
Experience working with food safety and regulatory compliance in a meat processing environment (e.g., Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA); Pure Food and Drug Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Wholesome Meat Act; FSIS and FDA regulations; retail meat and quality processing guidelines)
Project management experience (e.g., plan/develop projects; facilitate/monitor project progress; troubleshoot obstacles; organizing complex tasks; implementing and adhering to deadlines; maintaining records)
Bachelor’s Degree required in any of the following areas: animal science, meat science, food science, business administration, or any other relevant field

Nice To Haves

Experience developing/tracking key business metrics to monitor performance of operations; taking corrective action when targets are not met

Responsibilities

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory environment and applicable personnel and facility credentials, licenses, and requirements through a demonstrated record of routine training for both leadership and staff operational literacy
Manages internal communications and oversees the development of communication strategies and applications
Identifies, develops and coordinates all facility and personnel needs with the department leadership to maximize efficiencies and align operations with overall strategies including financial health
Coordinates across all functions including administrative, operational, financial, curriculum, academic, and student services of administrative units on behalf of divisional or executive leadership
Leading the development of financial plans to maintain continuity and growth of operations in compliance with all regulatory criteria
Manages projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of divisional or executive leadership
Oversight of all key functions and operations of the facilities including food safety plan review and updates, and conducting operational audits
Coordinates daily staff activities and work for divisional or executive leadership
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Serves as an insightful senior advisor to divisional or executive leadership and represents leadership with integrity as needed in all divisional matters.
Serves as a liaison to internal constituent and governance groups