Planting Manager (Potatoes)

JOB TITLE: PLANTING MANAGER (POTATOES)
JOB LOCATION: PLANTING SITES (VARIOUS) – BAKERSFIELD, CA
SHIFT: DAYS

PURPOSE:
This position will be responsible for all field operations related to planting and scheduling. This position will collaborate closely with other members of the potato farming team, variety development personnel, and farm managers.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture preferred but not required in lieu of direct experience. Minimum 5 years’ experience operating and maintaining farm equipment, such as service vehicles, tractors, and planters. Experience working with FLC’s and/or staffing services. High mechanical aptitude and knowledgeable in planting, farming operations, powered equipment, and potato planting equipment. Must be knowledgeable of organizational policies and procedures.

Familiarity with company proprietary ag software a plus. Working knowledge of production agriculture. Ability to organize multiple priorities and projects to achieve expected business results. Ability to lead and manage people. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) preferred. Ability to comprehend, read, write, and communicate proficiently in English and interact with all levels of the organization. Must be able to travel 70% of the work time and spend nights away from Bakersfield throughout the year to other growing regions on a regular basis required. Bilingual (English/ Spanish) preferred. Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean DMV driving record.
Must pass pre-placement drug/alcohol screen, physical and functional capacity evaluation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Responsible for scheduling planting operations in cooperation with Director of Potato Operations and/or Farm Managers. Ensure flexibility in operations to ensure schedule is satisfied irrespective of weather conditions. Manage planting crews consisting of planting supervisors, planting operators, tractor drivers, and graders. Maintain accurate time and attendance records for planting crew employees and submit to payroll in a timely manner. Maintain accurate records of different potato varieties and seed sources. Communicate all updates and/or issues to the Director of Potato Operations in a timely manner. Strictly adhere to and ensure specified population and quality standards are met at all times and in all regions. Individual will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of plantings. Individual will monitor the quality of outside labor crews and company personnel. Maintain accurate records of varieties, acres and important cultural information related to all plantings. Maintain cohesive records of all activity and accurately record activity to company data systems on a timely basis. Coordinate with seed department on seed varieties, trials, and inventory. Be responsible for equipment repair and maintenance to ensure reliability and consistence performance. Coordinate rotation of traveling planting crew members, in an effort to retain talent and reduce burnout. Responsible for addressing attendance and/or performance issues with planting supervisors and crew team. Oversee field operations and coordinate and complete general shop, including maintenance and repair tasks while not planting. The Planting Manager may also be asked to perform other duties that are not specifically identified in the list of essential job functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to continuously work all day in various and sometimes extreme weather conditions. Ability to work with product and equipment at ground level. Ability to get on and off various stationary and moving equipment. Ability to work on uneven terrain both on foot and while aboard moving equipment. Must be able to move items weighing up to 25 lbs.

STARTING WAGE: $90,000 - $110,000 / YEAR