Job Description:
The Grower Relations Manager-Pacific oversees the communication with and support of our grower base on the US Pacific Coast (California and Mexico).
The position is based in Watsonville/Salinas, California, but would entail occasional travel to multiple destinations at various points throughout the year. Strawberries (Watsonville and Santa Maria) would be the primary focus, but the potential exists for expanding duties across multiple commodities and regions for the right candidate.
Responsibilities:
- Acts as a liaison between the grower base and the sales and operations teams to communicate volume forecasts and quality from the field and pack instructions and market conditions to the growers
- Maintains positive relationships with the AFF grower base throughout the year
- Helps provide technical support- answering questions about farming, sales, operations- to the grower base
- Helps to foster relationships with new growers
- Travels between farms daily during the production season to provide on-site presence and support to the growers
- Visits the cooling facilities frequently to check on end-product quality and provide feedback to the farm
- Understands the needs and scope of the AFF sales programs to ensure quality product is offered to each customer based on their specifications
- Understands the needs and scope of the AFF sales programs to ensure volume quantities are met to provide 100% fill
- Under the direction of the Director of Procurement, helps to develop the operations, grower, and quality control staff of AFF’s Pacific division
What we offer:
- Competitive Salary (Depending on Candidate Experience)
- Medical/Dental Vision
- 401(k) with company match
- Bonus structure (annual) based on performance
Requirements:
- College degree preferred
- Bilingual (Spanish) a must
- Minimum three years of related strawberry grower management or farming experience
- Ability to travel internationally
- Excellent decision making and problem resolution skills
- Flexibility in hours to accommodate business needs
- Willingness to work independently, with minimal supervision and take ownership of job
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record
- Proficient in computer use skills (MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Proficiency in use of English language with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally, present information and direction, and field questions from managers, employees, and customers
- Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and requirements to maintain compliance to all relevant statues and guiding principles
- Relocation assistance is not available
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Confidential Job:
0