Benefits:
Paid time off
JOB DESCRIPTION
Operations Manager
Controlled Environment Agriculture – DWC Lettuce Production
Reports To | General Manager / Director of Operations Location | Berlin, NY (Rensselaer County) Schedule | Monday–Friday, 5 days/week; occasional weekend duty Shift Coverage | Oversees Red & Green Teams (4 days on / 4 days off, 10-hour shifts) FLSA Status | Exempt Department | Production Operations
Position Summary
The Operations Manager is responsible for the daily execution of all production operations at our Deep Water Culture (DWC) lettuce facility. Working through two rotating production teams — the Red Team and the Green Team — the Operations Manager ensures that all activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with food safety, production quality, and shipping standards.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring consistent presence on the production floor, strong cross-functional coordination, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The Operations Manager acts as the primary bridge between senior leadership and the crew leaders of each team, translating operational goals into day-to-day execution.
Team Structure & Schedule
The facility operates on a continuous 4-day on / 4-day off rotation with 10-hour shifts, staffed by two dedicated crews:
Team | Rotation | Shift Length | Point of Contact Red Team | 4 days on / 4 days off | 10 hours | Crew Leader Green Team | 4 days on / 4 days off | 10 hours | Crew Leader
The Operations Manager works a standard Monday–Friday schedule (5 days per week) and maintains oversight across both team rotations. Occasional weekend duty is required during peak production periods, scheduled shipments, or when operational needs demand direct management presence.
Core Responsibilities
Daily Operations Management
Direct the daily execution of all production activities across Red and Green Teams, ensuring operational continuity across rotating schedules.
Serve as the primary point of accountability for on-time task completion, resource deployment, and team readiness each shift.
Conduct daily operational reviews with Crew Leaders to align on priorities, address blockers, and verify that all assignments are on track.
Proactively identify and resolve scheduling gaps or coverage issues resulting from the 4-on/4-off rotation.
Crew Leader Coordination & People Management
Work closely with the Crew Leaders of both Red and Green Teams to delegate responsibilities, set performance expectations, and provide hands-on coaching.
Support Crew Leaders in managing their teams effectively, including conflict resolution, productivity concerns, and task prioritization during active shifts.
Conduct regular one-on-ones and performance conversations with Crew Leaders to support their professional development.
Escalate HR matters to appropriate channels in coordination with management.
Food Safety & Compliance Documentation
Ensure all batch actions — including seeding, transplanting, harvesting, sanitization, and chemical applications — are documented accurately and in accordance with food safety protocols (e.g., FSMA, GAP, or facility-specific SOP requirements).
Review and sign off on food safety logs, sanitation records, and corrective action reports completed by Crew Leaders and team members.
Lead or support internal food safety audits and ensure readiness for third-party inspections and customer visits.
Maintain a culture of food safety awareness and accountability across both production teams.
Production Documentation & Reporting
Oversee the accurate recording of all production-related data, including planting schedules, pond utilization, crop progression, yield tracking, and loss events.
Ensure batch traceability is maintained from propagation through harvest in compliance with facility SOPs.
Compile and submit daily, weekly, and periodic production reports to senior management.
Identify production variances and work with Crew Leaders to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
Shipping & Order Fulfillment
Coordinate with the shipping and logistics team to ensure all outbound orders are packed, labeled, and staged accurately and on time.
Oversee shipping documentation including bill of lading, packing lists, and chain-of-custody records.
Ensure cold chain integrity is maintained throughout the harvest-to-ship process.
Address order discrepancies or fulfillment issues promptly and communicate proactively with relevant stakeholders.
Facility & Equipment Oversight
Monitor the operational status of DWC systems, irrigation, nutrient dosing, and climate control equipment; escalate maintenance needs promptly.
Coordinate with maintenance personnel to schedule preventive and corrective maintenance with minimal disruption to production.
Ensure cleanliness, organization, and safe working conditions throughout the facility.
Continuous Improvement
Identify inefficiencies in workflows, scheduling, or resource use and propose data-backed improvements.
Collaborate with senior leadership and agronomic staff on process optimization initiatives.
Champion a culture of accountability, quality, and operational excellence across both teams.
Qualifications
Required
3+ years of operations or production management experience in food manufacturing, agriculture, or a related controlled-environment setting.
Demonstrated experience managing multi-shift or rotating-schedule teams through supervisors or crew leaders.
Strong understanding of food safety documentation requirements (HACCP, FSMA, GAP, or equivalent).
Proven ability to manage documentation, batch records, and compliance logs with high accuracy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable delivering clear direction across all levels of the organization.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
Proficiency with standard productivity tools (Microsoft Office or Google Workspace); experience with production management software a plus.
Preferred
Experience in hydroponic or controlled environment agriculture (CEA), specifically leafy greens or DWC systems.
Familiarity with IFCO crate logistics, retail food distribution requirements, or fresh produce supply chains.
Food safety certification (e.g., PCQI, ServSafe, SQF Practitioner).
Bilingual communication skills are a plus.
Key Competencies
Leadership & Team Development | Accountability & Follow-Through Motivates and develops Crew Leaders; fosters a team culture grounded in safety, quality, and mutual respect. | Ensures all tasks are completed, documented, and closed out on schedule; escalates issues proactively. Operational Problem-Solving | Documentation & Compliance Rigor Diagnoses root causes quickly and implements durable corrective actions without disrupting production flow. | Maintains meticulous records across food safety, production, and shipping; treats documentation as a core operational discipline.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and key functions of this position and is not exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned as required.