Farm Manager

Description:

Position Summary

The Farm Manager leads and oversees farm operations, with responsibility for the successful production of blueberry and almond crops. This position is responsible for achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) through sound farming practices, effective resource management, and a strong commitment to safety, quality, and timely execution. The Farm Manager plays an essential role in supporting organizational goals, developing high-performing teams, and modeling best practices in alignment with the company’s values of Excellence, Accountability, Transparency, and Stewardship (EATS).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees blueberry and almond growing operations and ensures all operations meet established production specifications and quality standards.
• Ensures practices and protocols contribute towards consistent and premium quality of the crop and contribute towards profitability and growth of the company.
• Budgets and manages the program to ensure efficient and profitable operations, ongoing fiscal responsibilities, and assists with strategic and operational planning.
• Ensures practices and protocols contribute towards consistent and premium quality of all crops and contribute towards profitability and growth of the company.
• Drives food safety, safety, and quality culture within the business.
• Responsible for achieving, sustaining, and continuously improving product quality and quality systems, personnel safety, food safety, personnel development, and financial results.
• Manages chemical applications as prescribed by PCA.
• Manages, through subordinates, the maintenance department for repair and replacement of all farming structures, equipment, and supplies.
• Manages harvest activities with subordinates. Coordinates schedules with packinghouse, cooler, and logistics.
• Ensures practices and protocols contribute towards consistent and premium quality of all crops.
• Ensures compliance with all State, Federal, OSHA, EPA, USDA, Food Safety, and all other applicable laws and regulations.
• Schedules jobs, sets piece rate, approves crew sheets, etc.
• Ensures that soil fertilizers and amendments are applied in the correct amounts and at the proper times according to written recommendations.
• Communicates and cooperates with direct reports (Harvest, Spray, Shop, Admin) to help achieve maximum efficiencies of all operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff.
• Oversees the daily workflow of the department.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
• Ensures timecards are reviewed and approved properly.
• Partners with safety to promote a positive safety culture.

Requirements:

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of blueberry production.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards of the trade and of the proper use of safety practices.
• Skilled in employee supervision techniques.
• Ability to adapt to a hands-on, high work ethic, executive management style that leads their team by example.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks as workload dictates.
• Possess team leadership qualities with the ability to work well and communicate effectively with fellow employees and management.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills, written and verbal.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of company information.
• Self-directed individual who can identify and implement solutions with team input.
• Adaptability to changing situations and can perform multiple tasks with multiple priorities.
• Ability to foster accountability, good communication, and excellence in employees.
• Ability to train and work with operational personnel on the farms and create a positive environment that encourages employees to interact within the organization.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to deal with issues involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressive agricultural management experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive agricultural operations and management experience, with demonstrated responsibility for production, labor, budgets, and team leadership.
• Progressive supervisory and management experience in an agricultural environment with demonstrated leadership skills.
• Experience in blueberry & almond production.
• Intermediate to advance level computer skills with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable to the Company’s insurance carrier.
• Ability to obtain CA Private Applicator Certificate, preferred.
• Valid CA Private Applicator Certificate, preferred.
• Qualified Applicator License (QAL), preferred.
• Bilingual verbal and written English/Spanish, preferred.