Farmer's Fridge
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Farmer's Fridge, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
We are on a mission to make fresh, high-quality, and sustainably sourced food accessible to everyone. Through our tech-enabled manufacturing and distribution, we are committed to transforming the food system. As a company that values innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, we are looking for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead our technology strategy and operations. The CIO will play a crucial role in scaling our technology infrastructure to support growth and drive operational efficiency.
About this Role: The CIO will lead the company's technology initiatives to bring the Fridge experience to life. They will be making strategic "buy vs. build" decisions, building internal teams, ensuring seamless integrations, managing vendors, and developing robust data infrastructure. This individual will work closely with cross-functional leaders and manage a lean, mission-critical IT team that can scale with the company's growth goals. The CIO will also spearhead organizational change management to ensure the successful adoption and on-going maintenance of new technologies across the business.
What You'll Do:
Strategic Technology Leadership
Align technology initiatives with broader business goals, supporting operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Lead the assessment of "buy vs. build" decisions, favoring external solutions while maintaining the capacity to build mission-critical systems in-house. Oversee the design and implementation of scalable IT infrastructure, ensuring that it meets both current and future business needs.
Systems Integration & Data Management
Lead efforts to integrate various technology platforms, ensuring efficient data flows across departments such as manufacturing, supply chain, and customer service. Ensure data governance, security, and compliance across all business operations.
Vendor Management & Outsourcing
Lead the selection and management of third-party technology vendors, ensuring that partnerships deliver long-term value. Oversee outsourcing initiatives, ensuring that they align with business objectives and deliver efficiency without compromising quality. Manage ongoing vendor relationships and performance, driving continuous improvement and cost-effectiveness.
Organizational Change Management
Drive change management efforts to ensure seamless technology adoption and minimal disruption to business operations. Champion collaboration across teams, ensuring that technology supports all business functions effectively. Develop and implement training programs to maximize user adoption of new systems.
Optimizing Technology for Business Operations
Collaborate with departments such as manufacturing and supply chain, sales and marketing, and customer service to ensure that technology solutions improve efficiency and performance. Lead technology projects that address specific business challenges and operational needs, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
Team Leadership & Development
Build and lead a high-performing IT team that is capable of executing the company's technology strategy. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the technology team.
Who You Are...
Leadership & Management
10+ years of experience in senior technology leadership roles, ideally within tech-enabled manufacturing, food, CPG, or a related field. Proven success in leading complex, multi-domain business operations, with a strong track record of scaling technology teams. Strong leadership presence with the ability to communicate and inspire team members from the production floor to the Board of Directors.
Technology Expertise
Extensive experience with **buy vs. build** decisions, with a strong preference for leveraging third-party solutions while maintaining the ability to build critical internal systems. Expertise in **systems integration, data infrastructure,** and **vendor management**, including outsourcing and long-term vendor relationships. Track record of successfully managing organizational change to support the adoption of new technologies.
Industry Experience
Experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or fulfillment is preferred, with a deep understanding of how technology can drive operational excellence and growth. Familiarity with multi-department budget management, including managing large IT-related P&L.
Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:
In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we've done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback.
Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.
Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after four years of service.
Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company's bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.
Farmer's Fridge Diversity Statement:
"Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer's Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles."
Farmer's Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures
About this Role: The CIO will lead the company's technology initiatives to bring the Fridge experience to life. They will be making strategic "buy vs. build" decisions, building internal teams, ensuring seamless integrations, managing vendors, and developing robust data infrastructure. This individual will work closely with cross-functional leaders and manage a lean, mission-critical IT team that can scale with the company's growth goals. The CIO will also spearhead organizational change management to ensure the successful adoption and on-going maintenance of new technologies across the business.
What You'll Do:
Strategic Technology Leadership
Align technology initiatives with broader business goals, supporting operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Lead the assessment of "buy vs. build" decisions, favoring external solutions while maintaining the capacity to build mission-critical systems in-house. Oversee the design and implementation of scalable IT infrastructure, ensuring that it meets both current and future business needs.
Systems Integration & Data Management
Lead efforts to integrate various technology platforms, ensuring efficient data flows across departments such as manufacturing, supply chain, and customer service. Ensure data governance, security, and compliance across all business operations.
Vendor Management & Outsourcing
Lead the selection and management of third-party technology vendors, ensuring that partnerships deliver long-term value. Oversee outsourcing initiatives, ensuring that they align with business objectives and deliver efficiency without compromising quality. Manage ongoing vendor relationships and performance, driving continuous improvement and cost-effectiveness.
Organizational Change Management
Drive change management efforts to ensure seamless technology adoption and minimal disruption to business operations. Champion collaboration across teams, ensuring that technology supports all business functions effectively. Develop and implement training programs to maximize user adoption of new systems.
Optimizing Technology for Business Operations
Collaborate with departments such as manufacturing and supply chain, sales and marketing, and customer service to ensure that technology solutions improve efficiency and performance. Lead technology projects that address specific business challenges and operational needs, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
Team Leadership & Development
Build and lead a high-performing IT team that is capable of executing the company's technology strategy. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the technology team.
Who You Are...
Leadership & Management
10+ years of experience in senior technology leadership roles, ideally within tech-enabled manufacturing, food, CPG, or a related field. Proven success in leading complex, multi-domain business operations, with a strong track record of scaling technology teams. Strong leadership presence with the ability to communicate and inspire team members from the production floor to the Board of Directors.
Technology Expertise
Extensive experience with **buy vs. build** decisions, with a strong preference for leveraging third-party solutions while maintaining the ability to build critical internal systems. Expertise in **systems integration, data infrastructure,** and **vendor management**, including outsourcing and long-term vendor relationships. Track record of successfully managing organizational change to support the adoption of new technologies.
Industry Experience
Experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or fulfillment is preferred, with a deep understanding of how technology can drive operational excellence and growth. Familiarity with multi-department budget management, including managing large IT-related P&L.
Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:
In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we've done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback.
Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.
Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after four years of service.
Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company's bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.
Farmer's Fridge Diversity Statement:
"Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer's Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles."
Farmer's Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures