Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Systems Builder Copia Farm | Johnstown, Ohio (On-Site)

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Systems Builder

Copia Farm | Johnstown, Ohio (On-Site)

Build and Lead the Operating System Behind a High-Integrity Food Business

Copia Farm is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to partner directly with the founders to bring structure, consistency, and operational excellence to a growing regenerative farm and food company.

This is a builder role focused on creating systems, strengthening teams, and establishing a well-run, durable operation.

About Copia Farm

Copia Farm is a regenerative farm and food business serving our community through:

• Farm retail store

• Raw dairy production and value-added products

• Warehouse and inventory systems

• Home delivery logistics

• Wholesale partnerships

We are building a high-integrity, well-structured operation that delivers quality food while maintaining strong systems and long-term sustainability.

The Opportunity

Today, many operational decisions and workflows depend on the founders.

Your role is to replace that dependency with clear systems, structure, and leadership.

Key challenges include:

• Building reliable inventory visibility across retail, production, and warehouse

• Creating consistent fulfillment systems for pickup, delivery, and wholesale

• Establishing operational dashboards and KPIs

• Designing SOPs that drive predictable execution

• Building and leading a strong management layer

• Reducing daily firefighting and improving overall flow

This is a hands-on systems-building role with real ownership.

Authority & Ownership

• Full ownership of day-to-day operations across departments

• Authority to design team structure and leadership roles

• Ability to implement systems and enforce operational standards

• Direct partnership with founders on priorities and execution

Role Overview

You will oversee and improve operations across:

• Retail operations

• Warehouse and inventory systems

• Fulfillment and delivery logistics

• Production coordination

• Team leadership and development

• Operational reporting and performance metrics

You must be comfortable moving between:

• Strategic planning

• Systems design

• Operational troubleshooting

• Floor-level leadership when needed

—while building systems that reduce long-term dependency on hands-on intervention.

What Success Looks Like (12–18 Months)

• Daily operations run smoothly without constant founder involvement

• Inventory systems are accurate and reliable

• Fulfillment and delivery operate consistently

• A structured, accountable management team is in place

• Operational efficiency and margins improve

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a practical, systems-oriented operator who enjoys building structure and leading teams in real-world environments.

Strong candidates often come from:

• Distribution and logistics operations

• Food production or food distribution

• Warehouse and fulfillment systems

• Multi-location retail operations

• Military or highly structured operational environments

Core Qualities

• Systems-driven and operationally rigorous

• Decisive and accountable

• Calm under pressure

• Strong leader who enforces standards

• Highly organized and detail-aware

• Comfortable balancing strategy and execution

Experience

• 7 years in operational leadership

• Experience managing multi-function teams

• Proven ability to improve systems and efficiency

• Track record of creating reliable, repeatable operations

Compensation

• Base salary: $140K–$170K depending on experience

• Performance-based bonus tied to operational and financial metrics

• Signing bonus after six months

• Additional incentives tied to efficiency, margin improvement, and operational performance

Why This Role Is a Great Fit

• Opportunity to build systems from the ground up

• Real ownership of operations without corporate bureaucracy

• Work closely with founders during a key stage of development

• Contribute to a mission-driven food and farming business

• Build a stable, well-run operation with long-term impact

Who This Role Is a Great Fit For

• Operators who enjoy bringing order to complex environments

• Leaders who take pride in running a tight, efficient operation

• Individuals who value stability, ownership, and meaningful work

• Builders who want to improve a real business—not just manage one

Who This Role Is Not For

• Candidates primarily motivated by rapid scaling or venture-style growth

• Individuals seeking a purely strategic or hands-off executive role

• Operators who prefer constant change over building stable systems

How to Apply

Apply through LinkedIn and include a short note:

• Why this role interests you

• An example of a system you built that significantly improved operations