Manager, Ranch.Jr
Job Description
Manager, Ranch.Jr
Job Contributions and Key Responsibilities:
Day-to-Day Crop Management
Assist and support Production Manager and assigned mentor.
Supervise, with hands-on involvement, all farming activities, which may including any of the following: irrigation system installation (drip for substrate and pipe and spray for soil) and oversight of, land prep, planting, nutrient management and pesticide applications, disease management, pollination, pruning, plant rotation and harvesting.
May work with Harvest, Operations (non-harvest) and Production Services for respective services as needed.
Pesticide Management Program
Assist and support the organic and/or conventional program in soil and/or substrate, in coordination with the Pesticide Control Adviser. Document application and results.
Fertilizer Management Program
Assist and support the organic and/or conventional program in soil and/or substrate to optimize plant health. Document application and results. IF using medium (including any solid or liquid designed to support plant growth) sample, test and analyze results to determine course of action.
Compliance
Comply with all labor laws, prime audits or food safety, company policy and workers safety.
Learn and apply knowledge Driscoll’s pathology in developing Reiter’s organic program.
People Management
Assist and support in identifying and sourcing labor.
May train and supervise harvest and/or non-harvest personnel.
Outreach
Learn and implement the latest and best current production practices from within the RAC organization, as well as from university and other outside industry resources; develop and advance knowledge and innovations that deliver competitive advantage.
Collaborate with internal and external resources including universities, substrate grower peers, and the DSA and RAC knowledge share networks.
Communicate methods and results to peers and colleagues.
Learn and apply knowledge of Driscoll’s use of technology and scientific plant development.
Operating Budgets
Administer operating budgets; assist in defining capital budget needs; manage costs; and deliver expected profitability
Production
Contribute to the preparation of production data and any required crop information. Participate in weekly and monthly crop statement reviews.
Participate in communications with Driscoll’s to ensure accurate estimates of crops and to deliver high quality berries to the cooler.
Assist in coordinating cold storage and removal of canes and additional field trials
Horticultural Trials
Install, maintain, and evaluate horticultural trials. Report results and drive adoption. Focus areas may include trellis, pruning, tunnels, frost control, and plant date and source.
Contribute in the development of acreage study standards for management to support expansion of agronomy model farming.
Irrigation Systems
Substrate – Assist in the design and installation of automation and injection system. Implement climate, water use, and soil moisture monitoring systems. Oversee the installation of the drip system, tunnel structures, and trellises.
Soil – Assist in the design and installation of traditional pipe / sprayer irrigation systems.
Job may also include:
Scientific Analyses
Implement best practices for optimum soil health.
Learn and apply knowledge on how growth medium responds to scientific management techniques thereby implementing it based on the results.
Apply agricultural data and information into trends, reportable, actionable and sustainable methods.
Apply improved techniques for measurement of growth medium, sampling, and similar technology through an understanding of the development of plant growth within the medium and how to utilize and encourage growth for the development of healthy plants through monitoring, diagnostics and testing. Analyze, document and interpret data on watering rates, salinity, pH balance and electrical conductivity (EC). Use results in decision-making.
Ensure quality growth medium with the ability to identify contaminated or degraded growth medium and to develop plans that improves their biological, chemical and physical properties.
Microbial Program
Assist and support the beneficial microbes program to the root zones of plants enabling healthy, vibrant root systems that directly translates to higher nutrient absorption and optimal yields.
Document applications and results.
Other duties or special projects as assigned
Knowledge
Berry farming
Thorough understanding of basic farming principles –substrate a plus
Principles of nursery management
Agricultural software applications, equipment calibration, and medium and plan testing
Substrate plant rotation/hibernation
Substrate/soil drip irrigation, nutrient chemistry, and pesticides
Skills:
Analyze data and make qualified judgements on results
Treat others with respect
Communicate fluently and proficiency (verbal, written, and presentation) in English and Spanish. Knowledge of additional languages maybe useful
Persuade, guide, influence and negotiate through expertise and when necessary direct action to be taken
Abilities:
Demonstrate high level of organizational and time management skills
Communicating effectively (verbal and written) in English and Spanish, required
Diagnosing, applying judgment and make decisions – using critical thinking, reasoning and logic
Applying scientific methods to providing nutrition through growing via media substrate or soil on an ongoing basis, reverse osmosis systems, pathogens, etc.
Testing and interpreting soil chemistry for pH and EC and how to correct balances
Performing statistical analysis on a computer
Demonstrating stewardship and relationship building/management/interpersonal skills · Ability to lead, motivate and/or develop other people
Demonstrating a high level of organizational and time management skills
Juggling competing priorities and changing expectations
Demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit, create new and unique ideas
Ability to work independently
Ability to take responsibility and ownership for decisions, actions and results
Ability to professionally represent the Company
Competencies
Self-Awareness – Expert/Teacher
Self-Management – Expert/Teacher
Organizational Awareness –Expert/Teacher
Conflict Management –Expert/Teacher
Service Orientation –Expert/Teacher
Community Strategies –Expert/Teacher
Project Management – Advance/Proficient
Development of Others – Expert/Teacher
Process Management – Advance/Proficient
Production Models – Expert/Teacher
Suppliers Management – Expert/Teacher
Irrigation– Expert/Teacher
Nutrition – Expert/Teacher
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) – Expert/Teacher
Growing Techniques – Expert/Teacher
Resource Management – Expert/Teacher
Budget & Cost Management – Expert/Teacher
Education Level:
Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences – required for Agronomy career track
High School diploma or equivalent education and minimum 5 years’ experience
Field/s of Education:
Agricultural Sciences
Minimum 1 years’ of experience in managing production agriculture with direct berry crop farming experience
Years of Experience:
Minimum 1 years’ experience in production agriculture, berry experience preferred
Licenses:
Valid driver’s license suitable for insurability through company insurance plan
Languages
English Desirable
Spanish Spoken: 85 – 95% Read: 85 – 95% Written: 85 – 95%
Necessary Software
Microsoft Office Suite –Proficient
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel 5 to 10 percent of the time – domestic and international
85% of the time will be spent on the farm, with the production and harvest teams, and with crops; 10% on administrative, business, and planning functions; and 5% on travel for interaction with other districts, conferences, etc
Pay Scale : $68,640 to $79,500
