What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grower / Farm Assistant position at Produce Careers Inc.?
A well-established grower and processor company, Produce Careers Inc., is seeking a Grower / Farm Assistant to join their team based in Oxnard. This position will work closely with various teams, including operations, maintenance, directors, supply chain, quality assurance, and warehouse teams, to ensure a consistent and high-quality supply of incoming raw materials.
Key Responsibilities:
- Determine and allocate acreage and/or tonnage amongst qualified growers to meet production needs.
- Confirm growers are in good standing and utilize sustainable agricultural techniques within their County.
- Negotiate contract pricing at the direction of Senior Leadership.
- Facilitate the contracting process.
- Forecast OP and Hybrid Seed/Slip budgets and purchase/contract accordingly.
- Distribute seed according to plan and accurately account for all lot tracking requirements.
- Adjust plant/seed allocations amongst growers during planting.
- Evaluate and ensure proper growing conditions are met in each field each season: Proper transplant size, timely cultivation, timely and optimal irrigation, and timely applications of fertilizer and IPM techniques against key pests.
- Determine optimal harvest date and schedule accordingly.
- Balance harvest schedule with production needs and schedule.
- Manage and negotiate field hauling contract with Senior Leadership.
- Ensure field trailers are maintained with applicable preventative maintenance with hauling Company.
- Will be required to dispatch trucks during harvest, as needed.
- Will be required to be backup at the scale and assist with grading, as needed.
- Provide timely updates to operations and senior leadership teams on yields, estimated yields, year-end yields, and overall crop quality.
- Complete sustainability audits and compile needed data year-round.
- Assist with general agricultural facilities maintenance onsite (i.e. tractor rentals, irrigation equipment).
- Attend regional agricultural commission meetings, etc.
- Facilitate seed and research trials with growers, seed companies, and researchers.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences or related field.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in Agricultural or Ag Procurement/Sales.
- Thorough knowledge of Sustainable Agricultural Practices.
- General mechanical knowledge required, familiarity with farm equipment a plus.
- Superior communication, time management, organizational, and data entry skills.
- Excellent math, problem-solving, analytical, logical thinking skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; GIS, etc., a plus.
- Bilingual in Spanish, preferred.
- PCA, CCA, license and/or experience is a plus.
- A self-starter, highly motivated individual.
