Jose L. Diazpepesaldana@rocketmail.com • (209) 404-3589LinkedIn Profile • Chowchilla, CA, 96310Operations ManagementPerformance-driven professional with years of strategic leadership and operations management expertise, known for devising and implementing robust policies and procedures that enhance organizational productivity, safety, compliance, and profitability.Proven success in spearheading multifaceted projects, supervising cross-functional teams, and optimizing operational performance across diverse facilities and warehouse settings. Instrumental in fostering collaborative work environments, nurturing talent development, and establishing and maintaining high-quality standards to achieve operational excellence. Demonstrated ability to drive process improvement, streamline workflows, reduce lead times, and improve on-time delivery rates. Possess strong background in inventory control, order fulfillment, and supply chain logistics to ensure seamless warehouse operations. Skilled in conducting inspections, identifying maintenance/repair needs, executing preventive maintenance programs, optimizing equipment reliability, and minimizing downtime. Adept at managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and securing cost-effective service agreements.Areas of ExpertiseStrategic Planning & ImplementationContinuous Process OptimizationTeam Leadership & DevelopmentBudgeting & ForecastingQuality Assurance & ControlRegulatory ComplianceVendor ManagementPerformance EnhancementEquipment Maintenance & RepairCost Control & ReductionSupply Chain & LogisticsInventory ManagementNotable AccomplishmentsSupervised a busy tomato packing season with morning and night shifts, accommodating up to 90 employees in the morning and around 60 employees in the night, dealing with both organic and conventional products.Administered receiving training to all employees while ensuring compliance with ERP systems, such as Famous, Microsoft Dynamics, Produce Pro, and Redline WMS to facilitate FIFO and loading team efficiency.Steered ammonia procedures and training for employees and contractor employees under the Risk Management Program, covering a substantial ammonia system with 22K lbs. of ammonia refrigerant.Established ammonia training procedures for employees and contractors, including ammonia safety, shelter-in-place, and evacuation training along with crafting an Emergency Response Plan.Maintained a seamless link between harvest and sales to optimize daily operations, while providing insights into expected product flow, pack sizes, and units required by customers.Led food safety, food security, and sanitation programs in compliance with safety and food safety regulations, including employee training and documentation responsibilities.Managed vendor relationships for materials and equipment, selected contractors for necessary projects throughout the year, and oversaw equipment leasing and purchasing.Career ExperienceLive Oak Farms, Le Grand, CA 2022 – 2023Operations ManagerDirected and orchestrated the operations of a multi-commodity organization, while ensuring the enhancement of departmental and organizational performance, productivity, efficiency, and profitability through the implementation of effective methods and strategies. Supervised the functionality of diverse departments within the organization, specializing in the growth and packaging of round tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapeño peppers. Headed a multi-shift operation with approximately 300 seasonal employees responsible for all production, safety in all four departments, purchasing, and vendor relationships. Controlled the functions of various facilities including production, warehousing, pricing, and distribution of goods. Acted as a liaison with top management and participated in the formulation of strategic plans for operational activities.Spearheaded the development of a cutting-edge cooling facility and the integration of various equipment, such as stackers and product accumulators as well as wrappers for all four commodities with the aim of streamlining operations and reducing labor requirements.Strategized allocation of human resources, oversaw recruitment and placement of necessary staff, established organizational structures, delegated responsibilities, created work schedules, managed staff, and assessed performance.Improved the efficiency of support services, encompassing IT, HR, Accounts, and Finance. Foster coordination and communication among support functions.Monitored performance, introduced enhancements, and maintained product quality while managing employee productivity in both quality and quantity.Led operational plans, including the implementation of a Warehouse Management System (Redline) in conjunction with Famous Software.Leveraged financial data to optimize profitability, controlled operational budgets, and controlled inventory.Deardorff Family Farms, Oxnard, CA 2011 – 2022Plant Manager | Operations Manager – Cooling & Distribution FacilityOversaw ten forced air coolers within the facility with an approximate holding capacity of 3K pallets of product. Led training for cooling personnel and developed comprehensive cooling procedures and policies. Orchestrated training for shipping personnel, encompassing shipping procedures and policies. Collaborated with the Human Resources Manager to administer employee safety training. Developed Safety Training Programs and conducted tailgate meetings for all employees. Assisted in food safety training, covering GMPs, COVID-19, Right to Know, Food Security, and more. Hired contractors for various projects and managed all purchases of materials and equipment for the entire facility. Partnered with Food Safety Manager in AIB and PRIMUS LABS audits.Steered a LEED-certified cold storage facility spanning 110K square feet, encompassing 1150 solar panels, 60K square feet of cooling storage across five rooms, two hydrovac machines, two Northstar ice makers with 50-ton ice capacity each, a tomato packing line, and space earmarked for future cut celery processing.Conducted training for the inventory tracking department employees and implemented racking procedures to enhance product accountability in the warehouse.Headed day-to-day cooling operations including hydrovacs as well as programmed automatic cooling processes to confirm timely and accurate product cooling.Managed a substantial celery, strawberry and multiple greens organic and conventional during the heavy shipping season, handling an average of 65K units/day six days per week.Maintained ongoing communication with the sales force to anticipate future commitments by customer and pack type.Oversaw a high tomato production season, such as handling 45K conventional and organic cases on a daily basis.Confirmed daily shipment of an average of 60K packages and the loading of ~120 trucks during peak months.Guaranteed the packing of various tomato packs, colors, bulk packs, and RPCs, in line with customer requests along with packing in various forms such as punnets, clamshells, and bags.Prepared working schedules for multiple shifts and ensured competent supervision for seasonal and yearly operations.Exhibited proficiency in Famous Software and Redline Software Managing Systems.Fresh Start Bakeries, North America, Modesto, CA 2009 – 2011Manager Shipping, Distribution, Bakery | Manager’s Assistant | Production SupervisorOversaw personnel and physical consolidation on the floor to support shift activities and meet weekly customer requirements. Managed product inventory and collaborated with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal stock level. Fostered and sustained effective working relationships with colleagues and personnel across the company. Developed the annual budget for approval by the Plant Manager. Supervised warehouse activities for both incoming and outgoing shipments. Steered loading operations to ensure compliance with shipping specifications. Trained and developed employees in the use of inventory and production reporting.Guaranteed timely and accurate receipt of products and resolution of work order discrepancies by providing training and development activities for personnel.Inspected material handling equipment for defects, while promptly notifying maintenance personnel or contacting outside service facilities for repairs.Facilitated the Quality Assurance and Sanitation Departments with questions and programs related to Food Safety and Sanitation matters.Collaborate closely with Plant Management and Customer Service to minimize special deliveries and out-of-code product occurrences.Coordinated documentation of products to ensure timely, damage-free, and accurate shipments to customers.Implemented and maintained a regular trailer inspection program for all incoming and outgoing shipments.Conducted investigations related to any truck damage or shortage discrepancies.Related ExperienceRatto Bros, Inc, Modesto, CAGeneral Manager (Cooling and Shipping Facility)Supervised the shipping/receiving operations, including 12K units, loading of 20 trucks, and scheduling of five long-haul vehicles. Managed a team of 90+ staff year-round with additional seasonal teams of 35 to 40 employees for the basil plucking run and 25 to 35 employees for the watermelon run. Conducted staff training on computer program usage for efficient truck scheduling. Established effective communication channels and organizational structure by serving as the central point of leadership between the harvest department and the Cooling Facility. Advanced FAMOUS features for easier usability in reporting, inventory, receiving, re-pack, and sales modules.Successfully reduced daily overtime by five hours and increased annual sales by 20% through the implementation of efficient machinery equipment, visual inspections, and higher employee wages.Provided assistance to Harvest Department Managers, Crew Leaders, and individual employees at the field level, enhancing the flow and quality of the product.Introduced sanitation, safety, and workflow procedures, prepared capital expenditure plans, and developed service/maintenance programs.Prepared sanitation schedules and meticulously reviewed documentation of activities and procedures for the AIB annual audit and PRIMUS LABS annual audit.Improved repack efficiency, machine repair and costing data, and truck mileage/log records by developing new database reporting methodologies.Collaborated with the Assistant Facility Manager and Maintenance Supervisor to schedule cooling equipment maintenance and/or replacement.Achieved outstanding AIB and PRIMUS LABS audit ratings by implementing clear and concise processes and procedures for rapid production.Coordinated inventory requirements for cartons, wood pallets, Chep pallets, and RPC containers.Additional ExperienceShipping Manager |In-House Sales/Customer Service – Duarte Nursery, INC., Hughson, CAProfessional Training & DevelopmentAIB Training | HACCP Training | LOTO Training | Ammonia Refrigeration Training | Primus Audit Training | Food Safety Training | CPR/First Aid | Train the Trainer Forklift/Pallet Jack Training | GAP Training | ISO 22000 Training | Confined Space TrainingAffiliationsMember – Food Safety Management Team, Ammonia Safety Team, and GAP Team.