Green Card Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs
Associate Director Clinical Operations roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, which permanently authorizes your employment rather than capping your stay. Pharmaceutical, biotech, and CRO employers regularly file I-140 petitions for this level, making sponsorship accessible if you target the right organizations.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout FreshDirect
FreshDirect is a leading online fresh food grocer dedicated to delivering the freshest, highest-quality groceries directly to customers' homes and businesses. Since our founding, we have transformed the grocery experience by combining best-in-class sourcing, state-of-the-art fulfillment operations, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Our purpose-built facility, advanced supply chain, and talented team enable us to deliver fresh produce, premium proteins, prepared foods, and everyday essentials with exceptional speed and accuracy. At FreshDirect, innovation, operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything we do.
We are seeking an accomplished operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is passionate about building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Plant Operations is a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of FreshDirect's manufacturing, fulfillment, warehousing, shipping, and inventory operations. This executive will lead large, cross-functional teams while driving operational excellence across a complex, high-volume food production and distribution environment.
The VP of Plant Operations will oversee day-to-day operations while developing long-term strategies that improve productivity, quality, safety, service, and profitability. This role carries full operational accountability, including workforce planning, production performance, inventory management, capital planning, continuous improvement initiatives, financial performance, and operational scalability to support company growth.
Essential Functions
Strategic Planning & Operations Management
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all plant operations, including production, warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, inventory control, and sanitation.
- Oversee all operational staff and ensure efficient day-to-day execution across multiple departments.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that support FreshDirect's growth, customer service objectives, and long-term business goals.
- Monitor and evaluate operational processes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, increased efficiency, enhanced quality, and reduced costs.
- Drive plant-wide financial performance through full P&L ownership, including overhead management, labor optimization, productivity improvement, cost-per-order performance, and budget accountability.
- Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
- Establish and track key operational KPIs and performance metrics related to safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, customer service, and financial performance.
- Lead manufacturing excellence initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with all FDA, USDA, OSHA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of food safety and workplace safety.
- Direct strategic planning for manufacturing capacity, facility optimization, automation, and operational scalability.
- Lead capital improvement projects from concept through implementation while ensuring return on investment objectives are achieved.
- Ensure all manufacturing, warehousing, and fulfillment processes are effectively planned, executed, measured, and continuously improved.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and develop a high-performing Operations Leadership Team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build a culture focused on safety, operational excellence, innovation, engagement, and customer satisfaction.
- Hold managers accountable for achieving departmental goals and operational performance metrics.
- Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development programs to strengthen organizational capability.
- Champion employee engagement initiatives that support retention and professional development.
- Promote effective communication across all levels of the organization through regular operational meetings and transparent leadership.
- Partner closely with Human Resources to support workforce planning, talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee relations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience overseeing manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or fulfillment operations within a complex, high-volume environment, preferably within food manufacturing, grocery, or consumer packaged goods.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale operations with full P&L responsibility.
- Proven success driving operational transformation, productivity improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Extensive experience managing logistics, inventory flow, materials management, procurement planning, and supply chain operations.
- Strong experience leading high-growth organizations through operational scaling and process optimization.
- Extensive knowledge of high-volume pick, pack, production, and fulfillment environments where productivity, quality, and service metrics drive performance.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Executive-level understanding of manufacturing operations, warehouse management, distribution, logistics, inventory management, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operational strategy.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing complex operational budgets and driving profitability.
- Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives and large cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, decision-making, and executive communication skills.
- Experience with ERP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and operational technology integrations.
- Ability to manage a 24/7 production and fulfillment operation while balancing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Strong track record of improving operational KPIs, productivity, quality, safety, and customer service.
- Hands-on executive leadership style with the ability to inspire, motivate, coach, and develop leaders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to build accountability, foster innovation, and create a high-performance culture.
- Passion for developing future leaders through succession planning, mentorship, and career development.
FreshDirect is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
About FreshDirect
FreshDirect is a leading online fresh food grocer dedicated to delivering the freshest, highest-quality groceries directly to customers' homes and businesses. Since our founding, we have transformed the grocery experience by combining best-in-class sourcing, state-of-the-art fulfillment operations, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Our purpose-built facility, advanced supply chain, and talented team enable us to deliver fresh produce, premium proteins, prepared foods, and everyday essentials with exceptional speed and accuracy. At FreshDirect, innovation, operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement are at the core of everything we do.
We are seeking an accomplished operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and is passionate about building high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Position Summary
The Vice President of Plant Operations is a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of FreshDirect's manufacturing, fulfillment, warehousing, shipping, and inventory operations. This executive will lead large, cross-functional teams while driving operational excellence across a complex, high-volume food production and distribution environment.
The VP of Plant Operations will oversee day-to-day operations while developing long-term strategies that improve productivity, quality, safety, service, and profitability. This role carries full operational accountability, including workforce planning, production performance, inventory management, capital planning, continuous improvement initiatives, financial performance, and operational scalability to support company growth.
Essential Functions
Strategic Planning & Operations Management
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all plant operations, including production, warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, inventory control, and sanitation.
- Oversee all operational staff and ensure efficient day-to-day execution across multiple departments.
- Develop and execute operational strategies that support FreshDirect's growth, customer service objectives, and long-term business goals.
- Monitor and evaluate operational processes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, increased efficiency, enhanced quality, and reduced costs.
- Drive plant-wide financial performance through full P&L ownership, including overhead management, labor optimization, productivity improvement, cost-per-order performance, and budget accountability.
- Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.
- Establish and track key operational KPIs and performance metrics related to safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, customer service, and financial performance.
- Lead manufacturing excellence initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ensure compliance with all FDA, USDA, OSHA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, and applicable regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of food safety and workplace safety.
- Direct strategic planning for manufacturing capacity, facility optimization, automation, and operational scalability.
- Lead capital improvement projects from concept through implementation while ensuring return on investment objectives are achieved.
- Ensure all manufacturing, warehousing, and fulfillment processes are effectively planned, executed, measured, and continuously improved.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and develop a high-performing Operations Leadership Team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build a culture focused on safety, operational excellence, innovation, engagement, and customer satisfaction.
- Hold managers accountable for achieving departmental goals and operational performance metrics.
- Establish clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development programs to strengthen organizational capability.
- Champion employee engagement initiatives that support retention and professional development.
- Promote effective communication across all levels of the organization through regular operational meetings and transparent leadership.
- Partner closely with Human Resources to support workforce planning, talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee relations.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience overseeing manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or fulfillment operations within a complex, high-volume environment, preferably within food manufacturing, grocery, or consumer packaged goods.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale operations with full P&L responsibility.
- Proven success driving operational transformation, productivity improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Extensive experience managing logistics, inventory flow, materials management, procurement planning, and supply chain operations.
- Strong experience leading high-growth organizations through operational scaling and process optimization.
- Extensive knowledge of high-volume pick, pack, production, and fulfillment environments where productivity, quality, and service metrics drive performance.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Executive-level understanding of manufacturing operations, warehouse management, distribution, logistics, inventory management, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operational strategy.
- Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing complex operational budgets and driving profitability.
- Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven ability to lead complex organizational change initiatives and large cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, decision-making, and executive communication skills.
- Experience with ERP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and operational technology integrations.
- Ability to manage a 24/7 production and fulfillment operation while balancing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Strong track record of improving operational KPIs, productivity, quality, safety, and customer service.
- Hands-on executive leadership style with the ability to inspire, motivate, coach, and develop leaders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to build accountability, foster innovation, and create a high-performance culture.
- Passion for developing future leaders through succession planning, mentorship, and career development.
FreshDirect is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
See all 4,172+ Green Card Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Associate Director Clinical Operations
Align your credentials with EB-2 requirements
EB-2 requires a master's degree or higher in a relevant field such as life sciences, nursing, or public health. If your highest credential is a bachelor's, document ten or more years of progressive clinical operations leadership to build an EB-3 skilled-worker case instead.
Target PERM-experienced clinical research employers
Pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic medical centers file PERM petitions regularly for associate director-level roles. Prioritize employers with dedicated immigration counsel on staff, as they process sponsorship faster and rarely withdraw petitions mid-filing.
Verify prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Your offered salary must meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage for your job zone and work location. Search the OFLC Wage Search before signing an offer letter so wage-related PERM delays don't catch you off guard after you've already resigned elsewhere.
Search green card-sponsoring employers using Migrate Mate
Filter by employers with active EB-2 and EB-3 PERM filing history in clinical operations using Migrate Mate. This narrows your job search to organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process for roles at your level, cutting through guesswork early.
Negotiate sponsorship terms into your offer letter
Ask your prospective employer to confirm PERM initiation timing in writing before you accept. Many clinical operations hires assume sponsorship starts immediately, but some employers wait six to twelve months into employment before filing, which affects your planning if you're on a bridging visa status.
Prepare your personnel file for PERM recruitment documentation
PERM requires employers to run mandatory recruitment steps and retain documentation proving no qualified U.S. workers were displaced. Gather your foreign credentials, transcripts, and credential evaluation reports early so your employer's attorney can complete the supervised recruitment phase without delays caused by missing paperwork.
Green Card Associate Director Clinical Operations: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Associate Director Clinical Operations role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship?
Both categories can apply. EB-2 fits candidates holding a master's degree or higher in a life sciences or health-related field, or those with a bachelor's plus substantial progressive experience that the employer formally designates as requiring advanced expertise. EB-3 covers professionals with a relevant bachelor's degree. Your employer's immigration attorney determines which category matches the actual job requirements, not your personal credentials alone.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for this role?
Green card sponsorship through PERM and an I-140 petition is permanent rather than tied to a fixed visa term. Unlike H-1B visa, there's no annual lottery for employment-based green cards, and once your priority date is current you can file for adjustment of status. The tradeoff is timeline: PERM labor certification alone typically takes six to eighteen months before USCIS even receives your I-140 petition.
Which employers sponsor green cards for Associate Director Clinical Operations positions?
Large pharmaceutical companies, global contract research organizations, and academic health systems are the most consistent EB-2 and EB-3 sponsors at the associate director level. Smaller CROs and biotech startups do sponsor, but their immigration infrastructure varies widely. Use Migrate Mate to identify organizations with documented PERM filing history for clinical operations roles specifically, which is more reliable than guessing by employer size.
What does the PERM recruitment process mean for my job search timeline?
After your employer files the PERM application with DOL, the agency reviews whether the position was properly advertised and whether qualified U.S. workers were available. This audit-driven process currently runs several months to over a year at DOL. Your I-140 petition to USCIS and any adjustment of status filing come after PERM certification, so building in a two-to-three-year runway from first job offer to green card approval is realistic for most countries.
Can I change jobs during the green card sponsorship process?
Portability rules under AC21 let you change to a same or similar role once your I-485 adjustment of status application has been pending for at least 180 days and your I-140 is approved. For Associate Director Clinical Operations candidates, a move to a comparable clinical leadership role at a new sponsor typically qualifies, but the new employer must be willing to continue the sponsorship or you restart the PERM process from the beginning.