2 years ago, our largest Lettuce Shipper/customer since 1988 challenged us to diversify Raw Product sourcing out of California in the Summer.
We took the Challenge! After Googling and Extensive Temperature Studies we determined that the Magic Valley around Twin Falls Idaho met the criteria we were looking for.
We are just completing our 1st 23-week summer harvest. We saw great results and a huge opportunity to make Idaho a significant player in the Summer Leafy Green (Lettuce) Raw product sourcing.
We are expanding for the 2024 season and are looking for an experienced Leafy Green Grower to assist in our expansion goals into the future.
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
The Production Grower Manager will evaluate, plan, organize, and manage the production program. The manager will provide leadership and coordination of general farming administration, accounting, budgeting, and planning of our continued development and growth. As the leader in this position, you will have the gratifying opportunity to lead a highly skilled and seasoned team of year-round foremen and farm workers. Their dedication shines through in the remarkable work they do, serving in both our Baja Mexico Operations during the winter and our Idaho operations during the summer.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversees the production process and coordinates all activities to ensure enough resources on hand.
- Budget and manage the program to ensure efficient/profitable operations and ongoing fiscal responsibilities as well as assist with strategic and operational planning;
- Manage, direct, and organize daily, and weekly production plans; look to increase efficiency and productivity.
- Direct all growing operation activities necessary to operate and support the program at maximum efficiencies which includes, planting, irrigation, application/pest management, harvest , and post-harvest;
- Oversee personnel, to ensure compliance with company policies and safety procedures. Track labor and product yields daily. Verify the accuracy and quality of a product. To include plan workers schedules, estimating costs, and preparing budgets to ensure workflow meets required deadlines.
- Sowing seed, dividing, transplanting, fertilizing, irrigating, organizing growing areas, building new growing areas, and working with the propagation and production team.
- Manage inventory and update due to loss, moving, or division. Perform plant and label inventory in season.
- Ensures practices and protocols contribute towards consistent and premium quality of the crop and contributes towards profitability and growth of the company;
- Drives a Food Safety, Safety & Quality culture within the business;
- Responsible for achieving, sustaining, and continuously improving product quality & quality systems, personnel safety, food safety, personnel development, and financial results;
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Assist with strategic and operational planning;
- Responsible for overseeing the continued planting and development of approximately 4,000 acres of leafy green vegetables ;
- Direct all activities necessary to operate and support the farms/ranches at maximum efficiency;
- Direct and coordinate overall operations of the department which include farm development, irrigation, application/pest management, pruning, training and harvesting.
- Recruit, train, develop , and manage farming personnel.
- Manage all labor for farming and harvesting operations.
- Contribute towards profitability and growth of the company.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or a related field and/or 10 years of experience in industry-related and/or certification.
- A strong background in agriculture, horticulture, or related fields is essential. Specifically in Leafy Green Production
- Previous experience in management farming operations, preferably farming leafy greens in a similar climate and crop environment 5 to 10 years experience.
- Drip Irrigation Experience.
- Bilingual in Spanish required.
- Strong communication skills to coordinate with the team, report to higher management and handle external relationships.
- The ability to identify and resolve challenges related to crop production, weather, and resource management.
- Familiarity with modern farming practices, irrigation systems, pest management, and crop environment.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Must be able to speak, write, and read English, and bilingual Spanish.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business documents, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to effectively communicate with team members and intercompany personnel, present information, and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
