Chief Operating Officer

Edesia - North Kingstown, RI

Part-time,Full-time - Executive

North Kingstown, RI

101-250 employees

Food Manufacturing

About the position

Edesia is a nonprofit, social enterprise dedicated to ending malnutrition globally. Since its inception in 2010, Edesia has reached over 24 million children across 62 countries with life-saving foods produced in Rhode Island, in collaboration with organizations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and USAID. The organization is comprised of a diverse team of over 150 individuals from more than 26 countries, all working together to address the urgent needs of children caught in humanitarian crises worldwide. As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will play a crucial role in leading operational excellence that directly impacts the delivery of these essential food products to those in need. Your strategic leadership will be vital in driving daily business operations, ensuring that processes are optimized for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. In this pivotal position, you will work closely with the CEO and the executive team to align organizational strategies with the overarching goal of making a global impact. Your proven track record of transformative leadership and tangible results will be instrumental in guiding Edesia toward greater success. Reporting directly to the Founder/CEO, you will spearhead initiatives that prioritize the mission of Edesia and drive meaningful change. As a champion of the organization’s vision, you will cultivate a culture of excellence, ensuring that every aspect of operations reflects an unwavering commitment to quality and efficiency. Your role will encompass developing and implementing enterprise-level strategies, mentoring department heads, addressing challenges in the emergency disaster business, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. In summary, the COO will be responsible for fostering a results-driven environment, enhancing operational processes, and leading the organization towards its mission of nourishing communities globally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enterprise level short-term and long-term strategies that achieve organizational goals and resonate with the mission to nourish communities globally.
• Mentor and develop department heads and teams to accomplish shared objectives, executing comprehensive business plans and strategic roadmaps for organizational growth.
• Address and navigate challenges related to enterprise needs and evolving demands in the emergency disaster business, proactively identifying and resolving issues.
• Drive creativity and idea exploration, champion sustainability, develop and test business models, and lead sales and marketing strategies to accelerate organizational growth.
• Support process optimization, understand financial and market dynamics, communicate strategic direction, identify key focus areas, forecast partner/customer needs, and inspire teams towards ongoing enhancement.
• Lead organization-wide initiatives to continuously refine processes, boosting productivity and efficiency.
• Act as a key resource for the CFO, helping identify and address potential risks to protect interests and ensure seamless business continuity across operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, maintaining integrity and reputation as the organization expands globally.

Requirements

• MBA or equivalent experience in food manufacturing, international business development, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of senior/executive leadership experience.
• Proven success in process improvement and change management.
• Ability to manage across the enterprise, think like an owner, and manage cross-functional teams with visionary leadership.
• Results-driven with a 'can-do' mindset, emphasizing accountability and positive outcomes.
• Strong project management skills with a history of successful execution.
• Motivational leader focused on staff and leadership development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills.
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational skills, able to work independently while keeping teams informed.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines effectively.
• Deep understanding of operational principles and best practices.
• Problem-solving abilities and strategic mindset for operational excellence.
• Dedication to upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance.