Watermelon Sales & Operations Manager

We started as a tomato house, but over the past 30 years, Veg-Fresh Farms has invested in numerous growing partnerships with many growers in the California and Mexico regions to expand our portfolio of commodities. This includes our melon program out of Firebaugh, CA, onions out of Lancaster, CA, strawberries out of Santa Maria, CA, citrus out of Redlands, CA, peppers out of Sinaloa, and of course, a robust tomato, pepper program out of Ensenada, Culiacan, and Sayula, MX. These partnerships allow us to offer consistent year-round supply on an incredible amount of items. Before we started this business in 1989, our family worked in the produce industry in Southern California for decades alongside our fathers, uncles, and mentors (who became family to us).  It’s with them that we learned this industry from the ground up, and it’s those learning lessons that we impart on future generations that have joined the business.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Watermelon Sales & Operations Manager to lead our sales efforts, manage grower relationships, and oversee operational logistics during the harvest season. This role requires an individual with deep experience in the watermelon industry, strong chain store contacts, and the ability to manage challenges that arise during harvest and loading operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales & Business Development:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with national and regional chain stores to drive watermelon sales.
• Identify and pursue new sales opportunities in the conventional watermelon market.
• Negotiate and manage seasonal contracts with customers, ensuring volume commitments and pricing align with market conditions.

Grower Relations & Harvest Operations:

• Collaborate closely with growers to plan, monitor, and manage production from planting to harvest.
• Be on-site during the harvest season to oversee operations, troubleshoot issues, and ensure smooth coordination between growers, packing houses, and transportation teams.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of both organic and conventional watermelon production processes, including best practices for growing, harvesting, and quality control.

Harvest & Logistics Management:

• Be available 7 days a week during the peak harvest season, including nights and weekends, to handle calls and resolve loading issues.
• Work closely with logistics teams to ensure timely deliveries and troubleshoot any transportation or warehouse challenges.
• Maintain a calm demeanor under pressure, as crises such as weather disruptions, equipment failures, and logistics delays are common during the harvest season.

Claims, Collections & Communication:

• Ensure timely follow-up on claims and collections related to product quality or delivery disputes.
• Maintain excellent communication with all stakeholders, including growers, buyers, transportation providers, and internal teams.
• Work effectively with diverse personality types, fostering strong relationships with all partners.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in watermelon sales, with established chain store contacts.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience working with growers, ideally in watermelon or fresh produce.
• Strong understanding of seasonal contracts and commodity sales.
• Willingness to be on-site for extended periods during the harvest season (typically May–September, varying by region).
• Proven ability to work under pressure and problem-solve in real time during loading and delivery operations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt to different personality types and maintain strong working relationships across the supply chain.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in both organic and conventional melon production.
• Prior experience in logistics and supply chain coordination in the fresh produce industry.
• Knowledge of retail buying and procurement processes.