Calavo Growers, Inc. (“CGI”) is a global avocado-industry leader and an expanding provider of value-added fresh food serving retail grocery, foodservice, club stores, mass merchandisers, food distributors and wholesalers worldwide. The Company’s Fresh segment procures and markets fresh avocados and select other fresh produce, including tomatoes and papayas. The Renaissance Food Group (RFG) segment creates, markets and distributes a portfolio of healthy, fresh foods, including fresh-cut fruit, fresh-cut vegetables and prepared foods. The Foods segment manufactures and distributes guacamole and salsa. Founded in 1924, Calavo’s fresh food products are sold under the respected Calavo brand name as well as Garden Highway, Chef Essentials and a variety of private label and store brands.
Calavo de Mexico, a wholly owned subsidiary of CGI, includes the fresh avocado packinghouse and the Foods processing plants in Uruapan, Michoacán, employing over 2,000 personnel. Avocados de Jalisco, a majority-owned subsidiary of CGI, includes the fresh avocado packinghouse plant located in Guzman, Jalisco, employing over 100 personnel. Agricola Don Memo is a hothouse tomato operation located in Toliman, Jalisco, in which Calavo has a 50% interest.
RFG, a wholly owned subsidiary of CGI, creates, markets, and distributes nationally a portfolio of healthy, high quality fresh packaged food products for consumers via the retail channel, including national and regional supermarkets, club stores, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, and specialty/natural retailers. RFG utilizes a network of company-operated and independently-operated USDA and organic certified fresh food facilities strategically located across the U.S. RFG products include fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, fresh prepared entrée salads, wraps, sandwiches and fresh snacking products, as well as ready-to-heat entrees and other hot bar and various deli items, meals kits and related components and salad kits.
Plans, organizes and directs field operations within assigned geographic area(s), communicating with growers, farm managers, transportation and harvest operations. Prepares crop estimates for planning purposes, and revised estimates as a result of changes in harvest, climate, and related factors. Responsible for harvest management within assigned area(s).
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, business or related field or equivalent years of education and experience.
- Ten+ years in field operations within the produce industry.
- Possess problem analysis and resolution.
- Strong customer service orientation.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written; Fluency in English and Spanish is preferred.
- PC proficiency; experience using inventory specific software highly desired.
- Commitment to the company’s values and ethics.
- Responsible for annual estimate of assigned district, with primary emphasis on random sample groves, monthly projections, monthly projections, four-week harvest plan and three-day schedule.
- Reviews and updates random and/or big sample grove estimates on a quarterly basis.
- Responsible for implementing harvest management program in conjunction with crop harvesting plan, including advanced scheduling system with growers. Oversees overall logistical requirements necessary to ensure efficient production deliveries of grower harvesting and initiates harvest program allocation action as needed.
- Responsible for consistent grower contact, developing a priority system so that contact with growers with over 50% of his volume is maintained monthly.
- Reviews growers pack-out information daily and initiates appropriate communication when necessary.
- Conducts timely and appropriate varietal maturity testing, reporting results to growers and marketing. Cooperates with marketing in response to sales requirements for increases or decreases in harvesting.
- Maintains up-to-date grower records (e.g., name changes, tree counts, etc.). Includes re-signing all member grove sales and other membership acreage with ownership transfer.
- Reviews haul receipts and tallies for accuracy.
- Attends local grower meetings within assigned district.
- Monitors labor contractors and approves billing charges.
- Reviews pool payments and charges for accuracy.
- Responsible for communicating market information, harvest plan and strategy, and other salient facts to growers and farm managers.
- Communicates information regarding bin status, drop requirements and pickups to appropriate haulers.
- Communicates relevant information to district board members.
- Responsible for obtaining and transmitting competitive information, and reporting same to Director, Field Operations, keeping same informed of all pertinent conditions and information important to Calavo’s operations.
- Communicates regional weather factors which will adversely affect crop flow.
- Other duties and projects as assigned or required.
