The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture.

Current annual production capacity at its Kingfish Zeeland facility in the Netherlands is 1,500 tons of high quality and high value Yellowtail Kingfish.

Expansion is underway and capacity in the Netherlands will reach 3,500 tons in the second half of 2022. In the US, permitting for the company’s approximate 8,500 tons capacity facility is progressing as planned, with production start scheduled for second half of 2023.

Production is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which protect biodiversity and ensure bio-security. Animal welfare is paramount, and the fish is grown without use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100 percent renewable energy, sourced from wind, solar and biogas. The company’s facilities operate on sea water, avoiding wasting of precious fresh water.

The Kingfish Company’s main product at present, the Yellowtail Kingfish (also known as Ricciola/Hiramasa/Greater Amberjack) is a highly versatile premium fish species, well known in the Italian and Asian fusion cuisines.

Its products are certified and approved as sustainable and environmentally friendly by Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and British Retail Consortium (BRC). It was the winner of the 2019 Seafood Excellence Award, and it is recommended as green choice by Good Fish Foundation.

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Chief Operations Officer

With an ambitious growth plan in mind and a proven sector leader position, we are a growth company in the midst of exciting times. To achieve those ambitions, the Kingfish Company is currently looking for a COO who initially predominantly will focus on our Dutch site as the acting General Manager/ Operations Director, having full operational responsibility of these activities. Within 12 to 18 months you will transition to group COO overlooking, next to the Dutch Operations, also our planned operations in the US and Southern Europe.

As member of the Executive Committee and reporting to the CEO, you will have proven experience overseeing operations and being responsible for the overall on-site operational performance. You are an excellent communicator with a strong ability to steer the organization, delegate responsibilities and collaborate across a wide range of departments. Ultimately, you are driven by the desire to lead the team towards maximum productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness. You do not shy away from ongoing challenges that come with a dynamic scale up environment. You can find your own way and determine the way forward for your team. You know what the company needs, what your departments can deliver and manage the tension between these two.

You will be supporting the expansion (doubling our site and capacity) and for sure this will provide challenges, quick decision making, determination and perseverance. Are you up to this ? In the near to mid-term you will be based in Zeeland, where most of the time your presence will be needed at the Dutch operation. Once additional operations are being developed, it may become less relevant to be on site all the time; your place of work can then be a combination of Kats and our Amsterdam offices, whereas travel to the US will also be required.
 

Key Responsibilities:

Next to achieving and maintaining smooth operations and keeping a healthy pressure on our operations, you will;

• Develop strategic plans for optimised productivity and cost efficiency
• Review and improve organisational effectiveness by developing processes,
• overseeing employees, establishing a highly motivated work environment, and creating innovative approaches for improvement
• Uphold standards of excellence and soaring quality
• Provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas
• Optimise ongoing maintenance cost

Daily tasks:

• Overseeing daily operations of our site in the Netherlands
• Developing and implementing growth strategies
• Coach and mentor managers and staff
• Evaluating performance and productivity in all departments
• Creating, managing budgets and improve revenue
• Analysing accounting and financial data, ensuring cost control
• Researching and identifying growth opportunities
• Generating reports and giving presentations

Requirements:

• At least 10 years’ relevant experience managing a complex enterprise’s human resources, finances, operations and strategies
• Experience in aquaculture is an advantage (as is also experience in either the food, agri or feed industry).
• You have a relevant business management or Masters in Business Administration or technical qualification
• Proven ability to develop and maintain financial plans
• Strong working knowledge of operational procedures

To be successful in this role we believe it is essential that you have strong decision-making capabilities, act on own initiative, make things happen and accept responsibility for the results. You adhere to company rules and procedures, execute plans with commitment and determination and achieve high quality results. You provide the team with a clear sense of direction, motivate and co-ordinate others and keep them focused on objectives. As COO in The Kingfish Company you have above-average communication, collaboration, and delegation skills. You quickly understand and analyse complex issues and problems, come up with sound and rational judgements.

You use a methodical and systematic approach, plan ahead, define clear priorities and allocate resources effectively. You focus on bottom-line results, identify potential risks and monitor the financial impact of own activities. Our next COO is proactive by nature and has a strong ‘hands-on and getting things done’ mentality.

The Kingfish Company offers the right candidate:

• A chance to join our ambitious team, in a hyper-growth company that has emerged as a leader in next generation tech-driven sustainable aquaculture
• A fast paced and dynamic work environment where you can make a big difference
• A multi-cultural workplace (20 nationalities on a 115 FTE workforce)
• A strong ‘can do’ work ethic
• A fitting remuneration package and benefits (including a stock option program)