We are seeking a visionary and execution-focused Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help scale our organization, develop our people, strengthen our operating systems, and ensure we continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers.

Reporting directly to the President, the COO serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and provides executive leadership across our South Bend headquarters, Bremen distillation facility, and future operating locations. This role is responsible for aligning and integrating Commercial Business Operations, Manufacturing, Human Resources, Purchasing & Sourcing, Facility Maintenance, Shipping & Receiving, and Distillation Operations into a high-performing, growth-oriented enterprise.

This is more than an operations leadership role. We are seeking a leader who can build organizational capability, develop future leaders, create scalable systems, and help the company's position for sustained long-term growth. Success will be measured not only by operational results, but by the strength of the teams, systems, and culture that make those results possible.

Requirements:

As COO, you will:

• Lead and optimize enterprise-wide operations to ensure outstanding performance in safety, quality, customer service, delivery, and profitability.
• Build a scalable operating model that supports growth while reducing dependence on any single individual.
• Champion company's High-Performance Workplace (HPWP) culture by fostering trust, accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, and open communication throughout the organization.
• Develop leadership talent, strengthen organizational capability, and ensure Human Resources serves as a strategic driver of business performance and growth.
• Partner closely with leaders across Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Purchasing, Regulatory, R D, Quality, and Manufacturing to align strategy and execution across the enterprise.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, efficiency, and customer value.
• Ensure excellence in quality systems, food safety, regulatory compliance, environmental health and safety, and operational discipline.
• Lead financial planning and operational performance management efforts that improve profitability and create resources to support future growth.