Western Area Manager

Description

Under the general supervision of the Director of Field Operations, the Western Area Manager works closely with management, support teams, contractors, vendors, customers, and government agencies to execute the production of mini watermelons, full size watermelons, Tuscan, Kiss, conventional cantaloupes, and honeydew melons throughout the western United States. This role ensures that both internal employees and external contractors adhere to company and regulatory standards during production, harvest, and post-harvest periods. This role also ensures enforcement of process through reporting, coaching and mentoring.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Create a “Safety First” working environment to safeguard people, food, equipment, and the environment.

· Responsible for contracting production acres with growers to maximize yields with a focus on producing a quality crop.

· Work collaboratively with cross functional departments to develop a long-term production strategy to ensure consistent quality and reliable supply. 

· Develop clear performance metrics for field production staff. 

· Responsible for scheduling planting and harvest activities with growers and 3rd party contractors. 

· Develop and maintain a grower evaluation system to drive increased quality and yields. 

· Set and maintain operational field budgets in conjunction with management. 

· Perform post-season yield analysis to evaluate effectiveness of growing area, fields, and varieties for the purposes of continuous improvement.

· Perform field scouting to evaluate irrigation, weed, and pest management. 

· Hire, lead and manage seasonal workforce; help select Farm Labor Contractors.

· Implement and maintain key field procedures and processes.

· Lead the pre-season planning process: recruitment of new grower(s), field selection & qualification, hybrid placement strategy, data entry, and field maps.

· Regularly reports on quality, supply, timing, and yield, changes in weather. 

· Collect and analyze production yield forecasts and field inspection reports to determine maturity dates of crops to estimate harvest timing and quantity. 

· Develop relationships with vendors, customers, site staff, and team members.

· Coordinates these activities with harvest manager and field team. 

· Collect, monitor, and share information with appropriate team members quickly. 

· Recommend solutions, collaborate with appropriate departments, and implement solutions quickly to ensure successful harvest. 

· Ensure success-oriented work environment. 

· Assist Food Safety Manager with coordinating regional food safety requirements, social compliance, and environmental initiatives. 

· On-site company representative with growers and other business partners. 

· Ensure that all packaging requirements for each pack style are met, including PTI labels. 

· Manages the transition from growing region to growing region and travel as required.

· Works with 3rd party labor partners to ensure productivity and pack quality. 

· Partners with AP for timely grower and vendor invoice payments.

· Lead root cause analysis if yield or production issues arise. 

· Other duties and projects as assigned.  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

· Leadership

· Project Management

· Teamwork Orientation

· Safety – People & Food

· Problem Solving Analysis

· Communication Proficiency  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, typically:

· Valid California Driver’s License with a Motor Vehicle Report free of tickets, points, convictions, licensing gaps, or non-registration periods.

· Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural science, operations, business management, or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution, in a related field or equivalent years of experience. 

· 5 years related experience and/or training in perishables harvest production.

· GFSI or comparable experience required.

· Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Self-motivated and able to work and adapt effectively & efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

· Effective verbal & written communication skills.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

· Excellent leadership & project management skills and strong attention to detail.

· Working knowledge of USDA standards, fresh produce shipper/grower QC specifications, and retail customer specifications. 

· Working knowledge of FSMA, GFSI, and USDA food safety standards.

· Knowledge of post-harvest disciplines.

· Ability to meet all work commitments, follows through in a responsible and reliable manner.

· Ability to maintain a safe and positive work environment.

· Ability to work through conflict and effectively find and implement solutions.

· Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one conversations with employees across the organization.

· Ability to collect and use data to make fact-based decisions.

· Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships, network effectively within industry.

· Ability to read and interpret policies and procedures.

· Ability to be on-call and to occasionally work extended days and/or weekends.

· Ability to travel throughout the U.S., overnight, and for extended periods of time. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.

· Office / Coolers / Field – Percentage of time in each varies by time of year.

· Stress level for the position is low to moderate. High during peak season.

· Noise level within the cooler and field is usually noise level moderate to loud.

· Temperature level within cooler can be at 32F.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations.

· Sustain frequent movement of the fingers, wrists, hands, elbows, and arms.

· Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and focus.

· Stand, walk, and/or sit for sustained periods of time on a daily basis.

· Prolonged period of speaking on the phone or in person and working on a computer.

· Must be able to lift 45lbs.  

Remote, Hybrid, or Onsite: This position works in the fields with consistent travel.

Base Salary Range $80,000 - $100,000

Target Total Cash Range $96,000 - $120,000

Target total cash represents this role’s annualized cash earning potential at target (base salary + target bonus). Target total cash is contingent on targeted division performance achievement and individual attainment of performance goals. Therefore, target total cash is not guaranteed earnings. 

Compensation Disclaimer: The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.