Foster Farms has been a family-owned and operated company for four generations. Since our founding days back in 1939, we have always been committed to providing consumers with the highest-quality, best-tasting poultry products available. The hope is that our commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and our people will shine through in everything we do.

We are always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms team. We offer the experience of a large organization, but operate like a family business. More than half of our job openings are filled by internal promotion, and we encourage employees to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Primary responsibility will be to lead the SAP and Financial Applications IT team, own the FICO architecture and partner with business leaders to ensure that SAP best practices are being leveraged.

To plan, organize, direct, improve and control all activities associated with the assigned Business Systems functions. Successfully meet IT customer requirements through the effective planning and managing of the business systems that support assigned functions. This management encompasses all baseline support/maintenance activities, functional enhancement activities and development and implementation of new business systems and/or technologies. Provide timely, accurate resolution of business system issues resulting in the high availability of assigned business systems.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Core Department Functions:

Manage the activities relative to the assigned functions/department:

Understand the strategic and functional business requirements of assigned business functional areas. Develop plans to deliver systems and services too meet strategic and business needs. Coordinate the overall planning, execution and development and support activities of assigned areas. Evaluate client requests from a long-term perspective, resolving conflicting user demands and implementing solutions which will benefit the entire company. Function as a business consultant for assigned areas. Establish commitments with clients and delivers on these commitments. Insure all work is performed in accordance with established IT and Business Systems policies, methodologies and procedures.

Manage the development of new systems and technology applications that support both day to day operations and strategic direction of the business, utilizing technology to create a competitive advantage. Insure that systems are implemented on time, are technically efficient, conform to standards and meet client expectations. Insure the Foster Farms systems development methodology is consistently and effectively applied on all projects. Insure that assigned staff is trained and fully able to utilize the methodology on all projects. Insures that all systems are fully tested prior to their release into production. Maintain, enhance and/or develop corporate systems development and documentation standards, providing coaching to IT Managers and staff on their use.

Manage the activities that provide for the day-to-day baseline support of assigned existing systems. Insure production problems are monitored and resolved to achieve high client satisfaction through system reliability/availability. Ensure that problem fixes and system enhancements are consistent with long-term department and application directions and architecture. Balance workload of assigned team between new systems development and maintenance/enhancement.

Human Resources Management:

Manage (plan, direct and measure) the work assignments of assigned staff. Insure detailed task plans and resource requirements are documented for all work and insure all work is completed accurately and timely. Establish appropriate control mechanisms to insure all work is completed correctly and on a timely, yet cost effective basis. Develop career plans and provides appropriate development opportunities for the assigned staff. Serve as a role model, mentor and coach for assigned team. Build teamwork and commitment to IT Department goals and values. Perform all facets of personnel management; initiating personnel actions to hire, promote or terminate assigned staff members. Recommend organizational structure changes to improve the service level, efficiency and effectiveness of assigned functions.

Planning and Organizing:

Manage the planning, execution and support of assigned functions. Insure plans are in accordance with overall corporate strategic plans. Evaluate, design and implement cost effective solutions (hardware, software and services), ensuring that solutions are evaluated from a long-term perspective. Insure detailed task plans are consistently developed and utilized for all projects, and develop and implement other project controls as necessary to insure their accurate and timely completion. Evaluate new and emerging technologies within assigned business function(s), recommending new/different solutions to IT Management. Insure plans are understandable and actionable by IT Management. Function as a technology visionary/advocate within the business functions supported, recommending solutions before needs become critical.

Communications:

Communicate effectively and frequently with assigned Business Management, IT management, peers, subordinates, clients and other company management. Develop rapport in interpersonal relationships through effective listening and communication skills. Develop and make effective presentations to IT and Sr. Management regarding concerning ongoing project plans and status, strategic technology solution trends and potential technology solutions to business needs in the assigned functions. Consult with IT staff and user organizations regarding the most effective use of tools, products and services of assigned functions.

Leadership:

Develop and maintain a leadership role within IT and assigned business functions contributing to IT and corporate goals as a team player. Participate as a member of the Sr. IT Management Team in developing organizational tactics. Present a positive, optimistic and upbeat image even when directing activities or implementing decisions that are not popular with IT or client staffs. Maintain an in-depth awareness of current and emerging technology trends regarding assigned functions. Provide management coaching to IT peers and staff. Function in a leadership capacity in both assigned functions and the IT Department as a whole. Actively pursue a personal program of formal and informal study to ensure an ongoing leadership role

Financial:

Develop annual capital and expense budgets for assigned functions. Track all ongoing expenses for the assigned functions. Develop monthly expense analyses, budget vs. actual forecasts and capital expenditure analyses for assigned areas. Insure that all assigned functions/departments and projects are correctly budgeted and that actual costs are equal to or less than the established budgets.

Additional Functions:

Understand the business functions of many Foster Farms’ business functions. Understand and evaluate how IT changes may impact the operation of these business functions.

Special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, management/business information systems or related field.

5 - 10+ years experience in business systems development, enhancement and maintenance with direct experience in programming, systems design and development. with heavy experience utilizing Systems Development Methodologies

5 -10 years experience in managing complex business systems projects – analysis, design, development, testing, implementation and change management.

2 – 4+ years managing multiple, complex business systems projects, developing and managing projects with aggressive milestones.

2 – 5+ years management/supervisory experience.

Demonstrated ability to teach/mentor and educate staff in SAP/ERP or other complex enterprise-wide business software solution as well as other IT systems capabilities and best practices.

Must possess excellent critical thinking skills with the capability to envision creative solutions to complex and challenging business process/system issues.

Heavy experience applying Systems Development Methodologies in the development of new business systems

Excellent interpersonal and management skills.

Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, users, staff and team members, both written and verbal.

Common sense

Preferred Requirements:

Master’s Degree

5 years of IT experience working in a manufacturing organization for a $1+ billion organization.

10 years of experience in Systems Development

5 years’ experience managing Business Systems in SAP/ERP environment

Proven track record of developing “in house” talent and creating development programs.

Ability to move up within the organization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have reliable transportation

Must have/able to obtain CA driver’s license

Must be able to travel overnight occasionally

Must be able to have consistent attendance in the Livingston, or other assigned Foster Farms’ Office

Must be able to sit for long periods.

Must be able to drive to various company and vendor locations

Must be able to work on the computer for long periods of time

Must be able to deal with periodic high stress situations

Must be able to stay calm and focused when dealing with difficult personnel issues.

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All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Foster Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities, Females, Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Foster Farms participates in E-Verify during the hire process at all locations for all new employees.