Tanimura & Antle is an employee owned family farming business with a four-generation legacy and a passionate commitment to growing premium quality produce. As one of the largest independent vegetable growers in the United States, Tanimura & Antle farms more than 36,000 acres of rich, fertile farmland and ships a full line of premium fresh conventional, organic and greenhouse grown produce products throughout the nation.
We are looking for employees that fit into the Tanimura & Antle culture and want to have an impact on our growth and success. We believe in, and are committed to, creating a sustainable future through innovation throughout our operations.
Our Mission:
To “Consistently provide our customers fresh and healthy premium produce with superior customer service that meets and exceeds their quality and value expectations”
Our Vision:
To “Operate as a highly innovative company, sustainably growing, while enhancing the lives of all through employee ownership and customer inspired partnerships”
Location: Salinas, CA
Salary Range: $70,000 to $140,000 per year
The Role: In this role you will be a boots on the ground Farm Manager working collaboratively to maximize yields, including walking fields daily to monitor and properly time cultural practices, irrigation and fertilizer applications, and assuring accuracy and quality of work. Works in collaboration with the VP of Northern Farming Operations to maximize resources, including labor, new innovations, equipment, fertilizer and water.
Key Responsibilities:
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Budget & Yield Performance
- Work with the Farm Management team and Farm Analyst to develop financial, yield and cost per carton budgets for each farm.
- Responsible for meeting or exceeding budgeted costs per acre, yields and cost per unit on a weekly basis
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Scheduling & Block Placement
- In collaboration with Salinas Farming, develop an annual planting schedule that maximizes yield, crop rotation, crop turns and satisfies the Company’s over acreage needs.
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Farm Planning
- Maximize land use with a goal of 2 crops per acre
- Insure correct crop rotational practices
- Develop annual written strategic plan to improve farm efficiencies
- In collaboration with The Salinas Farming Operations develop a planting schedule that maximizes land use, equipment and labor.
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Supervision
- Provide overall direction & coordination of all farm activities
- Work closely with HR to carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with The Company’s policies and applicable laws.
- Insure compliance with all safety work rules and laws.
- Interview, hire and train reward & discipline farm employees
- Insure farm is properly staffed according to the work load need to be completed.
- Plan, assign and direct employees work load and responsibilities.
- Address complaints and resolve problems
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Farm Efficiencies
- Maximize equipment & pipe use by using the most efficient equipment and insuring that equipment is shared and utilized where needed among all in house farming operations.
- Maximize purchasing power by working with Salinas Farm to coordinate the purchase of fertilizer, fuel, drip tape, seed etc.
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Soil Pathogen Management
- In collaboration with Salinas Farm & Agronomist develop protocols to better manage soil pathogens via crop rotation, soil amendments, beneficial organisms and cultural practices.
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Soil & Plant Fertility
- Develop a plan to monitor and improve soil & plant fertility.
- Develop basic crop fertility (including minor elements) model by crop including required cultural practices that standardize growing methods to insure crop consistency
- Develop crop rotation & composting program for improved soil fertility and health including soil pathogen reduction
- Monitor and improve soil biodiversity
- Develop program for pathogen testing as available
- Insure that pre-season soil fertility tests are taken and acted are taken and necessary actions are taken.
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Develop a Soil & Tissue Monitoring Program For Each Crop
- In collaboration with Salinas Farming and Agronomist develop a meaningful soil and tissue testing program that maximizes fertilizer use and improves crop quality and yields while complying with upcoming regulations
- Develop written protocols for best practices by crop
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Determine Best N-P-K Sources & Minor Element Balance For Each Crop
- In collaboration with the Agronomist & Salinas Farm determine best N-P-K sources along with appropriate minor element ratios that will improve quality and yields
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Cultural Practices
- In Collaboration with Salinas Farming & Agronomist to (take out to) develop written protocols for best cultural practices by area and crop that will improve fertility, water efficiency and reduce soil pathogens.
- Insure correct timing and soil moisture to maximize each cultural practice.
- Collaborate with The Salinas Farm & Agronomist to improve cultural practices.
- Develop written protocols for each cultural practice by crop.
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Irrigation Efficiency
- In Collaboration with the Salinas Farm & Agronomist improve irrigation efficiency & management
- In Collaboration with Salinas Farm & Agronomist improve soil moisture monitoring techniques and irrigation efficiency.
- In Collaboration with Salinas Farm, IT & Agronomist capture, record and track irrigations.
- Develop effective methods for improving soil moisture monitoring via probes and other modern technology
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Irrigation Well And Water Source Quality Monitoring
- Insure all wells are maintained and tested on a regular basis.
- Maintain accurate well & pump records including well logs and maintenance records
- Develop regular water quality testing program for all water sources
- Work with the Salinas Farming & Agronomist to monitor and improve water quality.
- In collaboration with the Agronomist & food safety develop methods of reusing tail and tile water for other uses.
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Ongoing Grower & T&A Management Fertility, Irrigation and Soil Management Education
- Attend regular local meetings providing education on best practices for irrigation, fertility and soil disease prevention
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Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
- Work with appropriate person or agency to insure that all farms are in compliance with current and future regulations and reporting requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience
- 2-5 years of experience in Farm Operations Management
- Demonstrated ability to inspire, foster teamwork, communication and positive and productive work environment.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
- Ability to analyze and solve problems quickly
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
Ideal Candidate:
- Thrives on working collaboratively to accomplish a common goal
- A “Boots on the Ground” leader
- Enjoys working outdoors
- Self-motivated to continually improve and add value, even if it is outside of their job description
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