Koppert Cress USA is a unique, premier grower of living microgreens, cut microgreens, and specialties on the North Fork of Long Island, NY with origins in Dutch innovative agriculture and advanced greenhouse technology. Since its 2006 launch in with a 30,000 square foot greenhouse, Koppert Cress USA has grown to include more than 150,000 square feet of new eco-conscious greenhouses on 50 acres of farmland producing more than 75 varieties of microgreens. Our reputation with the best chefs in the world and with specialty food distributors and wholesalers throughout the United States is unmatched, and our commitment to quality customer satisfaction is the yardstick by which we measure success. Koppert Cress has received many awards and much recognition, including being appointed as the James Beard House’s official purveyor of hand selected microgreens and specialties. For more information on Koppert Cress USA, see www.usa.koppertcress.com.
Koppert Cress USA’s growth requires that continued advancements be made in greenhouse production operations from seeding to sowing, growing, packing, and shipping to ensure the consistent quality that has defined our superior products. In support of the company’s growth, Koppert Cress USA is seeking a highly talented and accomplished Production Manager who brings experience in time-sensitive, specialty production; planning expertise; results orientation; excellence in managing a diverse workforce; and leadership in best practices and quality initiatives.
The Production Manager reports directly to the General Manager and will be based in our headquarters in Riverhead, NY. This key position has several direct reports and oversees a growing department of 20 employees.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the day-to-day greenhouse production operations and weekly harvest cycles, including seeding, growing, packing, and shipping of our living microgreens, cut microgreens, and specialties.
- Lead the planning, coordination, and control of the production processes.
- Lead and develop 20 staff to meet and exceed performance metrics in quality, customer standards, cost containment, inventory management, and new variety introductions.
- Efficiently coordinate short-term and long range production scheduling with forecasted sales.
- Effectively recruit and retain staff, creating an engaged, motivated team whose commitment to the company and its products enhances the success of the organization.
- Ensure that our products and services are produced efficiently, cost effectively, and consistently.
- Lead the best practices and quality initiatives in greenhouse production operations.
- Act as the custodian of and advocate for Koppert Cress’s brand— our agricultural products that are unique in flavor, fragrance and beauty— and assume responsibility for on-time delivery, consistent quality, and cost containment.
- Ensure that proper procedures and practices, documentation, training, and audits are in place and are executed.
- Maintain greenhouse facility and equipment to the highest standards and be responsible for compliance with all health, safety, and building code regulations.
- Analyze the effectiveness of the different departments within the greenhouse production operations and create recommendations to increase efficiency and productivity of staff, technology, and the overall operations based on analysis of the data.
- Effectively resolve cross-departmental issues in partnership with lead people in sales, marketing, and finance.
- Effectively manage key direct reports and delegate responsibilities. Manage the resolution of work related problems within the department and take disciplinary action as required within the context of organizational policies and culture.
- Develop the annual departmental budget.
- Manage labor and production costs based on budgets and established objectives.
- Actively participate in management meetings.
Requirements:
- 8-10+ years of experience in production operations roles with 4+ years in senior production management roles.
- Knowledge of time sensitive, value added, precision-production operations is a plus.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
- BA/BS degree.
- Agricultural experience is a plus.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Budget and P&L experience.
- Outstanding project management and planning skills.
- Experienced and effective in working in culturally diverse environments.
- Superb follow-through with outstanding judgment and a positive attitude.
- Outstanding analytical and problem solving capabilities.
- Proven track record of success in recruiting, managing, and developing direct reports to improve their productivity and capabilities.
- Highly effective in a dynamic, fast-paced environment focused on quality and efficiency.
- Ability to absorb new information quickly and translate key points into positive outcomes.
- Excellent influencing, cooperation, and negotiation skills and the ability to use them appropriately.
- Results oriented and flexible, with the ability to find a balance between the business requirements, the operational pressure of a fast growing company, and the high quality requirements of the company and our customers.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills with a desire and proven ability to communicate with people at different knowledge levels.
- Outstanding proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with special emphasis on Word and Excel.
Koppert Cress USA’s greenhouses are located in Riverhead and Cutchogue on the beautiful North Fork of Long Island. Surrounded by vineyards, we are in “the sunniest place in NY State” where agriculture thrives. The North Fork of Long Island has excellent educational institutions, restaurants, beautiful beaches, outstanding water sport opportunities, and excellent transportation options to New York City. Koppert Cress USA offers a highly competitive annual compensation package with excellent benefits.
If you have significant production management experiences and want to join an exceptional, innovative agricultural growth company as Production Manager, please send a cover letter and resume, including salary requirement, to info.usa@koppertcress.com. Please include “Production Manager” in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and email. Background checks, computer literacy tests, and English writing samples are required of final candidates for this position.
Koppert Cress USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
