Farm Production Manager at Chapters & Heights Finance Limited

Job Description

• We are seeking a highly motivated and responsible individual with significant farming experience who will work closely with the Site Director and the farm’s facility manager on the wide-ranging tasks typical of a diversified organic farm.
• The Production Manager will take a lead role in greenhouse work, direct field work, transplanting, cultivation and harvest of vegetables for the farm.

Role and Responsibilities
The Production Manager is responsible for a working knowledge and supervisory/lead role of:

• Analyzing existing operations, crops, livestock, staff, and financial documents and recommending improvements.
• Preparing plans and schedules for planting and harvesting and ensuring staff understands expectations.
• Visiting the different divisions to inspect crops, livestock, and also perform tests on soil and water.
• Ensuring seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other supplies are regularly restocked.
• Scheduling repairs, maintenance, and replacement of equipment and machinery.
• Handling the marketing and sale of products produced on the farm like fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, and grain.
• Ensuring all staff adheres to health and safety regulations.
• Assisting with the recruitment and training of new staff members.
• Collaborating with senior staff to prepare budgets and financial reports.
• Building professional networks and keeping abreast of developments in agricultural science.
• Greenhouse care; making soil blocks, seeding, potting up, watering, implementing fertility plan, pest scouting, organization, hardening off, record keeping
• Co-creating cropping plan and timeline; assisted and informed by director of operations and management team
• Field seeding & transplanting; prepping beds (rototilling, spreading fertilizer, laying drip tape), use of 6- row Jang, or Earthway hand seeder, hand transplanting
• Cultivation; variety of hand tools
• Tractor work; equipment hookup, adjustment and use (mowers, multi-purpose tool bar, rototiller, bucket loader, etc)
• Fertility analysis and implementation of nutrient management plan; assisted and informed by director of operations
• Pest management; scouting and identifying damage to crops, use of floating row cover, fencing & other physical barriers
• Harvest, wash and pack; proper handling of harvested crops in field, maintain standards of cleanliness for produce safety, attention to detail, and quality control
• Training, overseeing and motivating field crew.

Interpersonal skill:

• Networking and effective communication skills
• Data gathering & analysis
• Proven ability to negotiate

Requirements
The Production Manager:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 4 years work experience
• Additional courses in business management or administration are recommended.
• Extensive experience in a farming-related field.
• Management experience would be a plus.
• A passion for agriculture.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• The ability to make decisions in stressful environments.
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work overtime as required.