Salary: $80,000–$85,000 DOE
Competitive Benefit Package (Includes 401K, PPO Health Plan)
Job Title: Commodity Manager, Harvesting Department
Location: Santa Maria, CA; Yuma, AZ; and other growing regions
Classification: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)
Reports To: Senior Director of Harvesting
Responsibilities
Crop Estimates:
- Walk crops proactively to create and update accurate weekly 4-week harvest estimates.
- Monitor crops regularly to identify changes affecting current or future estimates.
- Identify surplus, shortages, or gaps in volume early.
- Detect and communicate early-stage crop issues or concerns.
Sales:
- Maintain strong communication with Sales regarding volume, quality, issues, and harvest estimates.
- Manage volume to meet planned obligations.
- Provide timely, accurate daily harvest estimates.
- Notify Sales of any potential shortages in a timely manner.
- Assist in sourcing outside products when necessary.
- Maintain crop yield data and ensure pack specifications are met.
Harvesting:
- Develop and coordinate a weekly harvest plan with harvesters.
- Manage daily harvesting activities to optimize yields and profits.
- Provide harvesters with timely daily orders and ensure specification awareness.
- Input daily orders into the Harvest Track data system.
- Monitor harvest progress and communicate updates or issues.
- Confirm daily order completion.
Production:
- Maintain open communication with the Production department regarding irrigation and crop concerns.
- Attend weekly production meetings to discuss volume, quality, yields, and upcoming issues.
- Collaborate on planting schedules for varieties and yields.
- Track and report information on yields, quality, acres planted/harvested, and planned vs. actual units.
Managing:
- Communicate effectively with supervisors, harvesters, Sales, coolers, and other departments.
- Manage and maintain the 4-week harvest forecast.
- Maximize crop yields and manage maturity timing.
- Evaluate customer rejections and implement corrective actions.
- Review and trial new varieties for future use.
- Use data to implement new commodity management strategies.
- Ensure harvesting activities meet company standards and expectations.
- Maintain compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Promote and ensure a safe work environment.
- Lead by example.
Minimum Requirements
- Bilingual: English and Spanish.
- Experience with vegetable row crops.
- Proficient in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong organizational and leadership skills.
- Valid CA Driver’s License with clean record.
- Unrestricted ability to work in the U.S.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Detail-oriented with strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Residency in Yuma, Arizona during Yuma season (November–April) annually.
Competencies
- Problem Solving and Group Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution and Confidentiality
- Bilingual Oral and Written Communication (Spanish and English)
- Teamwork and Positive Team Building
- Ethics and Integrity
- Adaptability and Flexibility to Change
- Dependability and Accountability
- Planning and Organizational Efficiency
- Accuracy and Thoroughness
- Productivity and Timeliness
- Safety Awareness and Workplace Cleanliness
Physical Requirements
- Ability to walk, talk, hear, see, speak, concentrate, stoop, bend, and lift up to 60 lbs.
- Ability to use a computer, telephone, and necessary equipment.
- Ability to reason and communicate clearly, with or without reasonable accommodation.