Chief Operating Officer

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)

Meriwether Farms | Wyoming | Full-Time | On-Site

Competitive Executive Compensation | Performance-Based Bonus | Comprehensive Benefits | Relocation Assistance

HELP BUILD THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BEEF BRAND

Meriwether Farms is seeking an accomplished, entrepreneurial Chief Operating Officer to help take our emerging American beef brand to the next level.

Rooted in rural Wyoming life, we produce exceptional American beef products, support American agriculture, and strengthen domestic food manufacturing. As our beef snack business expands through retail and e-commerce, we need a hands-on executive who can build profitable, scalable operations.

Working directly with the Founder and CEO, you will help shape an emerging consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand. We want financial discipline, food industry expertise, outstanding communication, and an ownership mentality—not someone who simply maintains the status quo.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The COO will lead day-to-day operations and help execute our long-term growth strategy. This position is responsible for operational performance, financial oversight, manufacturing and supply chain coordination, inventory management, retail relationships, and hiring and developing a high-performing team.

Ideally, you have scaled a food, snack, or CPG business from regional to national distribution without sacrificing margins, cash flow, or product quality. You are as comfortable reviewing a P&L as you are meeting buyers or resolving a production issue.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership & Growth

• Partner with the Founder and CEO to set strategy, operating priorities, budgets, and measurable growth objectives.
• Direct daily business operations with a focus on execution, accountability, efficiency, and profitable expansion.
• Build processes, reporting, and teams that support national CPG growth.
• Coordinate operations, finance, sales, marketing, production, logistics, and customer service.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, streamline costs, and strengthen the customer experience.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, implement regular leadership reporting, and make informed, timely decisions.

Financial Management & Profitability

• Own operational financial performance and work closely with finance and accounting on budgeting, forecasting, P&L analysis, and cash flow management.
• Improve gross margins, operating profitability, working capital, and the cash conversion cycle.
• Monitor COGS, manufacturing, packaging, freight, fulfillment, and overhead.
• Model new accounts, product launches, inventory, and growth investments.
• Maintain cost discipline, establish clear departmental budgets, and implement measurable improvements.
• Communicate financial results and operational risks clearly to the CEO and other stakeholders.

Manufacturing, Inventory & Supply Chain

• Required: Provide direct executive oversight of our USDA-inspected meatpacking facility, including daily plant operations, production, staffing, financial performance, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure the meatpacking facility operates efficiently, meets production targets, maintains quality standards, and complies with all applicable USDA-FSIS inspection and food safety requirements.
• Oversee production planning, supplier and processing relationships, procurement, packaging, inventory, and distribution.
• Implement reliable demand forecasting and inventory controls across raw materials, finished goods, and multiple sales channels.
• Improve inventory accuracy, turnover, and delivery while cutting waste and stockouts.
• Align capacity, procurement, and manufacturing schedules with retail purchase orders, forecasts, and e-commerce demand.
• Manage and negotiate with processors, suppliers, and logistics partners.
• Identify opportunities for automation, better systems, cost reductions, and improved production efficiency.
• Maintain oversight of HACCP, sanitation, food safety, product quality, traceability, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Retail, Distribution & Customer Relationships

• Help build and maintain relationships with regional and national retail buyers, category managers, brokers, distributors, and strategic accounts.
• Support retail expansion into grocery, convenience, specialty, and other relevant channels.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing on retail launches, promotional planning, replenishment, and account performance.
• Meet retailer requirements for inventory, packaging, fulfillment, and service.
• Evaluate account economics, product profitability, trade spending, and distribution costs to support smart growth.
• Support profitable growth through Amazon, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and other digital channels.

Hiring, People Leadership & Communication

• Recruit, hire, coach, and retain managers and employees capable of supporting a growing brand.
• Set clear roles, goals, and performance expectations; create a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Lead cross-functional teams with direct communication, integrity, and a solutions-focused approach.
• Develop leaders, improve communication, and address problems early.
• Build productive relationships with employees, partners, vendors, and customers.
• Lead from the front and remain willing to work hands-on when the business needs it.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant leadership experience in food manufacturing, food distribution, retail, consumer packaged goods, or a closely related industry.
• Demonstrated success scaling a business, improving its operations, or managing meaningful growth and change.
• Strong financial capabilities, including P&L ownership, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, financial analysis, and cost control.
• Deep understanding of inventory management, supply chain, production planning, logistics, and fulfillment.
• Experience managing retail relationships, major accounts, distributors, or commercial partners.
• Ability and willingness to assume executive responsibility for the operational and financial performance of a USDA-inspected meatpacking facility.
• Proven record of hiring, developing, and leading teams across multiple functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build systems and make sound decisions in a growing company.
• Strong judgment, personal accountability, financial discipline, and a hands-on leadership style.
• Passion for American agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic food production.
• Ability to work on-site in Wyoming and travel as required.
  

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Successfully expanded an emerging food or snack brand from regional to national distribution.
• Relationships with grocery, convenience, club, or specialty retail buyers, brokers, and distributors.
• Direct management experience in USDA-inspected meatpacking, meat processing, protein snacks, or related food manufacturing.
• Experience overseeing manufacturing partners and navigating food safety and quality systems.
• Familiarity with omnichannel CPG economics, including retail, Amazon, and direct-to-consumer sales.
• Successful implementation of ERP, inventory management, forecasting, or business intelligence systems.
• Measurable improvement in margins, EBITDA, inventory, and cash flow.
  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We offer competitive executive compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience, a strong comprehensive benefits package, and relocation assistance for qualified candidates. Performance-based bonus opportunities will be aligned with measurable goals, including profitability, operational improvements, inventory efficiency, and retail growth. Specific compensation and benefits will be discussed during the hiring process.

WHY WYOMING? WHY MERIWETHER FARMS?

Wyoming offers wide-open spaces, outdoor recreation, ranching communities, and a culture of independence and hard work.

Work directly with the Founder and CEO, influence major decisions, and build the systems and team behind an American food brand with national ambitions.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your resume and a brief introduction explaining your interest in Meriwether Farms. Please highlight examples of businesses you have scaled, retail relationships you have developed, financial or operational improvements you have led, and teams you have built.

If you have the experience to scale a food business, the discipline to drive profitable growth, and the passion to support American agriculture, we'd like to hear from you.

Meriwether Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.