Reiter Affiliated Companies, an International Berry Company is seeking a dynamic individual to join our production team. We currently have a career opportunity available for a Vice President of Production. The Vice President of Production will provide support to the Vice President of Reiter U.S Operations, which requires comprehensive experience in Farming and Business Administration. This person will have 3 reporting Production Managers, who are responsible for managing approximately 1100 acres of land currently planted with strawberries, raspberries, a blueberries, and blackberries.
Job Summary:
To maximize the Northern District’s growing opportunities with Driscoll’s by being their best berry solution. The Vice President of Production will be responsible for achieving targeted financial results and all aspects of the farming operations.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Responsible for the profit of farming operations
- Supervise operations, from ground preparation, growing the crops, and including harvest.
- Work with Mangers to enhance decisions related to plant nutrition, irrigation rates, spray programs, and harvest efficiencies.
- Develop yearly planting layouts, after analyzing actual versus budgeted information.
- Lead weekly meetings with Ranch Managers to discuss and analyze crop performance, and productivity related to budgeted goal metrics and variety performance information.
- Create annual budgets for all crop cost centers and review monthly with Ranch Mangers.
- Ensure that workforce is of the size and skill required to harvest and manage the crop.
- Represent Reiter Affiliated Companies at ag-related meetings, seminars and conferences
- Write and administer performance evaluations.
- Implement and adhere to policies established by the company including: food safety regulations, employee handbook, accurate production information reporting and compliance to wage and hour laws for agricultural workers in California.
- Implement strategies that place Reiter in a position of being the preferred employer.
- Create a management structure, succession plans for all levels of management.
- Manage the land base of the wholly owned operations.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
- Minimum 5-8 years’ experience in production agriculture, berry experience preferred.
- Fluency in English and Spanish required.
- Must demonstrate outstanding stewardship and relationship building/management skills to expand the mission of Reiter Affiliated Companies
- Excellent interpersonal skills including a professional and diplomatic demeanor
- Excellent communication skills including written, verbal, listening, and presentation
- Ability to create new and unique ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit a plus
- Proficient using standard office software such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
- Experience in project management, with skills necessary to interpret what is needed for the success of a project and to create appropriate schedules for timely delivery
- High level of organizational and time management skills
- Flexibility in juggling competing priorities and changing expectations
- Must demonstrate outstanding judgment and mature business skills with the ability to establish a strong rapport with hiring managers
- Willingness to ask questions rather than just follow directions is required.
- Must demonstrate good judgment and mature business skills
- Extensive Farm management skills, directly related to managing variances to a budgeted business plan.
- The candidate must have experience in managing other mangers and have experience supervising farming crews.
- Farming knowledge of growing Berries is highly desirable.
- Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.
- Related work experience should show a strong history of making decisions, and executing on plans through a solution oriented and strong self-motivated approach in managing a successful farming operation.
Please apply with a cover letter and and resume.
