Area Manager

Area Manager – Orchards

Columbia Reach/Chiawana Orchards | Yakima, Washington

Salary Range: $80,000–$125,000 (DOE)

Columbia Reach/ Chiawana Orchards is seeking an experienced Area Manager to provide operational and financial leadership across multiple orchard locations. This role is responsible for ensuring horticultural excellence, labor and budget accountability, and strong coordination with Ranch Managers, Ownership, HR, and the broader management team.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands modern orchard systems and data-driven decision-making in a fast-paced agricultural environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Labor Management & Budgeting

• Develop and present seasonal budgets for assigned areas.
• Communicate budget expectations clearly to Ranch Managers.
• Monitor labor and operational costs to ensure budgets are not exceeded.

Horticultural Execution

• Oversee all orchard activities including pruning, tree training, hand thinning, and harvest.
• Ensure all horticultural tasks meet or exceed industry best practices.
• Support Ranch Managers in communicating goals to crews.
• Hold Ranch Managers accountable to performance goals and provide coaching to achieve them.

People Leadership

• Partner with HR on guiding Ranch Managers on employee accountability and discipline.
• Partner closely with HR on hiring, discipline, and terminations.
• Effectively communicate company policies and expectations.

Logistics & Operations

• Coordinate the movement of equipment, fruit, and labor.
• Communicate and collaborate with other Area Managers to align priorities and timing.

Spray Program Management

• Develop spray plans in collaboration with the management team and crop advisors.
• Write work orders and ensure correct chemical availability.
• Coordinate spray timing and maintain proper intervals.
• Manage thinning, fungicide, insecticide, blight, PGR, and foliar nutrient applications.
• Identify orchard risks and proactively optimize tree health and fruit quality.

Fertilizer & Nutrition

• Organize soil and leaf sampling.
• Develop fertilizer recommendations based on sample results.
• Collaborate with internal leadership and third-party agronomists.

Pest Control

• Monitor and address pest activity including gophers, birds, and larger mammals.

Irrigation Management

• Oversee irrigation system operation and training.
• Monitor pumps, filters, electronic valves, and controllers.
• Ensure water is applied according to recommendations.
• Adjust irrigation strategies when results are not meeting expectations.
• Analyze sensor data (soil moisture, dendrometers, pressure sensors).
• Identify and recommend system improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong competency in orchard management and horticultural systems.
• Proven experience managing labor, budgets, and operational performance.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Strong computer and data skills (Excel, Power BI, financial software, data management).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.