Ratto Bros, Inc. is a 100-year-old family-owned farming operation selling vegetables and leafy greens to retailers and packers throughout the U.S. As a vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper, we have full control over every aspect of our business that allows us to stay true to our ongoing commitment to provide the freshest, safest, and highest quality produce on the market.
The Assistant Farm Manager will be responsible for helping with the management of Ratto Bros crop production activities and implement procedures to improve the quality and efficiency of all crops. The expectation of this role is to ensure all of our ranches are in optimal condition for crop growth; this is accomplished by making decisions and overseeing all grow activities such land preparation, planting, cultivating, fertilizing, irrigating and pest control applications. You will ensure practices and protocols lead towards consistent and high-quality crops that contribute towards profitability and growth of the company.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in providing direction and coordination to the Harvest and Grow operations.
- Collaborate with the management team to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of processes and personnel designed to accommodate the growth objectives
- Assist on projects to improve internal efficiencies
- Pursue and develop automation equipment practices on the ranch
- Provides timely, accurate and complete reporting on the operating condition of the company
- Contribute to the development, communication, and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes
- Assist in preparing and reviewing inventory and costs to ensure the operations maintain profitability
- Assist on the acquisition and maintenance of all equipment necessary to accomplish field operations
- Assist on the planning and execution of field operations, harvesting and field work
- Ensure harvesting operations meet or exceed performance standards
- Ensure that productivity standards are being met and measured.
- Recommend to management ways to improve production, equipment performance, efficiency, and quality of products
- Strive to maximize buying power and resources, including land, labor, innovations, and equipment
- Assist the Farm Manager to develop an annual planting schedule that maximizes yield, crop rotation, crop turns and satisfies the Company’s acreage needs and maximizes land use, equipment, and labor
- Ensure that all crops are planted, grown and packed in accordance with Ratto Bros., quality standards.
- Communicate daily production expectations to the department leads in order to fulfill customer orders.
- Participate in the creation of the planting schedule
- Provide timely and accurate reporting of operational issues regarding equipment and personnel to Farm Manager and Human Resources department.
- Communicate on a daily basis with the Facility, Harvest, and Grow Managers to ensure that all operations are running smoothly and meet or exceed quality and production standards
- Resolve work problems and issues, while ensuring compliance of all safety work rules and laws
- Assist in making work adjustments, as needed throughout the day, to meet production schedules
- Assist in resolving any quality control and production issues that may arise.
- Assist in maintaining and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for all processes and procedures in accordance with the food safety and food security requirements as needed
- Assists in overseeing pest control program to ensure crop health and provide analysis to Pest Control Advisor to ensure spray applications eliminate pests
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of three to five years’ experience in farming, food production and/or distribution
- Bachelor’s degree in Ag or related field
- Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred but not required
- PCA license required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
- Previous crop forecast experience
- Ability to work effectively with a vegetable cooler
- Ability to give instructions and communicate effectively
This is a full-time position. We offer competitive wages and benefits along with the opportunity for professional growth within a learning environment. Pay rate is based on experience. Ratto Bros., Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. Job offer is subject to contingencies. For more information regarding this opportunity, please call 209-545-4445 or email resume to asalinas@rattobros.com
