Production Manager - Confidential #c629

Job Summary:

As Production Manager you are responsible for overseeing and supporting the successful execution of field production operations. This position serves as a key resource to management by providing accurate, timely, and actionable operational, production, labor, and financial information to support decision-making across the organization. The Production Manager is expected to maintain a strong understanding of field conditions and production performance, work closely with Ranch Managers and PCAs, monitor labor and production costs, maintain accurate operational data, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, and profitability.

Essential Duties:

Field Production Oversight

·       Conduct weekly field walks with Ranch Managers and PCAs to review crop conditions, production progress, field needs, and potential issues.

·       Maintain regular visibility of field operations and follow up on identified concerns.

·       Work closely with Ranch Managers to ensure production plans and operational expectations are being met.

·       Identify operational challenges early and communicate them to management with recommended solutions.

·       Maintain a field presence of approximately 80% and office presence of 20% to ensure strong visibility of operations, regular engagement with field leadership, and timely administrative follow-through.

·       Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed to support the ongoing operational and business needs of the company.

Production, Labor & Cost Management

·       Monitor production performance, labor usage, and operational costs across field-grown strawberry operations.

·       Review production and labor data regularly to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement.

·       Work with Ranch Managers and field leadership to improve labor efficiency, productivity, and overall field performance.

·       Provide management with timely information regarding significant production, labor, or cost concerns.

·       Assist in developing and implementing strategies to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Operational & Financial Analytics

·       Provide accurate, timely, and actionable operational, production, labor, and financial analytics to support management decision-making.

·       Maintain and utilize critical databases and reporting tools to ensure information is current and reliable.

·       Review data for accuracy and consistency and investigate significant discrepancies or variances.

·       Develop and maintain reports that provide management with visibility into production performance, labor costs, and operational trends.

·       Use available data to identify opportunities for improved performance and cost control.

Inventory & Data Management

·       Ensure inventory data is current, accurate, and readily available for reporting purposes.

·       Work with appropriate team members to reconcile inventory information and address discrepancies.

·       Establish consistent processes for maintaining accurate inventory records.

·       Provide management with reliable inventory information when needed for operational and financial planning.

Grower Communication & Knowledge Sharing

·       Maintain frequent communication and knowledge sharing with the Driscoll’s grower base.

·       Stay informed regarding industry practices, production trends, growing techniques, and operational developments that may benefit the company.

·       Share relevant information and best practices with Ranch Managers, PCAs, and management.

·       Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external production partners.

Cross-Functional Communication

·       Work collaboratively with Ranch Managers, PCAs, HR, Accounting, Food Safety, and other departments to support field operations.

·       Communicate expectations, priorities, and changes clearly and in a timely manner.

·       Ensure information is shared with the appropriate individuals so that operational issues are addressed promptly and responsibilities are clearly understood.

·       Participate in meetings and provide updates on production, labor, operational, and cost-related matters.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

·       Proactively identify operational inefficiencies, recurring issues, and areas of opportunity.

·       Bring forward practical recommendations and solutions rather than simply identifying problems.

·       Support the implementation of process improvements that increase productivity, reduce unnecessary costs, improve quality, or strengthen operational consistency.

·       Monitor results following implementation to determine whether improvements are achieving the intended outcomes.

People Management:

·       Ensures an active role in hiring labor for ranch personnel.

·       Lead, motivate, develop, and manage team performance and professional growth through ongoing monitoring, constructive feedback, and coaching.

·       Drive team-based production excellence by setting clear objectives, monitoring performance, and executing strategies that consistently achieve or surpass production targets within established budgets.

·       Lead and facilitate training for harvest and non-harvest personnel, including onboarding and safety training, to ensure workforce readiness and compliance.

·       Foster a positive work environment by addressing and resolving conflicts and actively managing employee relations.

·       Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, operations, and safety teams to enhance safety programs, develop and implement comprehensive safety procedures, and lead proactive campaigns; review accident root cause issues and establish effective preventive measures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

·       In-depth knowledge of farming practices including irrigation, soil fertility, nutrient management, pesticides, and integrated pest management (IPM) – experience with substrate farming is a plus.

·       Principles of nursery management.

·       Agricultural software applications, equipment calibration, and medium and plan testing.

·       Analyze data and make qualified judgements on results.

·       Strong leadership and team management abilities.

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills; bilingual (verbal, written, and presentation) in English and Spanish.

·       Persuade, guide, influence and negotiate through expertise and when necessary direct action to be taken.

·       Demonstrate a very high level of organizational and time management skills while juggling competing priorities and changing expectations.

·       Diagnosing, applying judgment and make decisions – using critical thinking, reasoning and logic.

·       Demonstrating stewardship and relationship building/management/interpersonal skills.

·       Demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit, create new and unique ideas.

·       Ability to work independently.

·       Ability to take responsibility, accountability and ownership for decisions, actions and results.

·       Ability to professionally represent the Company.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:

·       Preferred: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Crop Science, or a related field; or 10 years work experience in management of strawberry production.

·       5+ years of experience in agricultural crop production, with at least 2 years in a managerial or supervisory position.

·       Pesticide Application Certification is a plus.

·       Valid driver's license

·       In-depth knowledge of crop growth and production techniques, including soil analysis, irrigation management, fertilization, pest control, and harvesting.

·       Proven track record of achieving high crop yields and optimizing production efficiency.

·       Experience in accessing business needs for machinery, equipment, and supplies.

·       Ability to analyze market conditions and make informed acreage allocation decisions.

·       Strong leadership skills to effectively manage subordinate supervisors and coordinate worker activities.

·       Proficiency in financial and operational reporting.

·       Understanding of food safety guidelines and ability to monitor adherence.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Work is conducted outdoors in variable weather conditions with large temperature fluctuations (50-90 degrees). Exposure to bees, wasps, snakes, chemicals, pesticides, etc.

Overall Expectation:

The Production Manager is expected to provide management with a clear understanding of what is happening in the field, how production is performing, what labor and operational costs are being incurred, and where opportunities exist to improve results.

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to maintain accurate information, provide meaningful analysis, strengthen communication between field and management, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to the overall productivity and profitability of the field-grown strawberry program.