PURPOSE OF POSITION
Director of field operations is responsible for directing and managing daily activities as it relates to planting, growing and harvesting Broccoli and Broccolini. This includes plant schedules, grower relations, grower contracts, budget development, grower accounting, product development, seed procurement and inventory control, all harvesting operations, supply forecasting, quality control and food safety.
GROWING OPERATIONS
- Develop plant schedules for Broccoli and Broccolini in all areas of production to supply budgeted sales commodity and value-added demand annually.
- Monitor and maintain plant schedule plantings weekly or as needed to ensure acres are in the ground. Weather conditions interrupt planting cycles.
- Review and analyze historical data pertaining to growing day history and varietal performance, in order to stabilize supply, increase yield and improve quality.
- Monitor grower performance. Consult with Grower/Partners on growing techniques to improve yield and quality.
- Procure seed and maintain accurate weekly Broccolini seed inventories.
- Maintain planting data in field department databases daily, this data includes Mann Packing lot information required by Grower accounting.
- Negotiate grower contracts, including product pricing, labor rates.
- Work with seed companies and plant breeders on variety development
- Coordinate and monitor seed trials for Broccoli and Broccolini to increase productivity and yield.
FORECASTING AND SCHEDULING
- Coordinate Mann field personnel. Giving instruction on where to start the day, which fields to inspect.
- Check and walk Broccoli and Broccolini fields in Salinas Valley, El Centro, Brawley, Yuma and Mexico (depending on the time of the year) for harvest date, yield and quality.
- Forecast product availability for 3 weeks out. Manipulate Broccoli supplies if possible according to our supply demands.
- Walk and Check fields for potential quality issues, plant and/or soil diseases and pest pressure. All of which affect supply. Advise necessary departments. Inform Growers and/or Pest Control Advisers.
- Consult with Sr. Director of Field Operations daily on a continual basis to analyze daily product availability for production and sales department needs.
- Determine field quality and sizing for availability in order to make label for Sysco, Wal Mart, Kroger and Sunny Shores. Must be done to let sales know when we cannot make label to inform customers.
- Maintain Broccoli board and create harvest schedule for Mann Packing field men.
- Inform Growers of projected harvest dates to coordinate irrigation operations and pesticide applications.
- Confirm harvest dates and coordinate harvesting operations with pesticide companies to avoid pesticide exposure to harvesting crews.
- Monitor market conditions and plant consumption to foresee under or oversupply crisis situations. Find outlets to purchase or sell Broccoli whenever possible.
HARVESTING OPERATIONS
- Coordinate with Sr. Director of Field Operations on daily orders and relay all orders to all Mann Packing field employees and Harvesting Companies.
- Monitor and relay order changes throughout the day to Mann Packing employees and Harvest Company Supervisors.
- Coordinate Mann Packing field employees in start times, harvest crew scheduling and crew placement.
- Monitor daily yield estimates to determine if orders will cover estimated yield in each individual field scheduled for each day. Adjust orders accordingly.
- Inform Growers of upcoming harvest dates in advance. This allows them to back fill irrigation ditches and remove irrigation equipment prior to harvest day.
- Inspect harvest crews to ensure crews are properly harvesting the field and maintaining Mann Packing quality and Specifications.
- Inspect harvesting crews to ensure all food safety and Good Agriculture Practice guidelines are being followed.
- Ensure all field department food safety documentation is being completed consistently and accurately.
- Manage Field Department employees
- Train and advise all Mann Packing field employees
- Negotiate seasonal living quarters for field employees
- Monitor and manage fleet maintenance
EDUCATIONAL & JOB REQUIREMENTS
- 4-year degree in agribusiness, crop science, or related field
- 5-10-year experience with crop management
- 3-5 years experience supervising employees
DEL MONTE FRESH PRODUCE IS AN EEO/AA/V/H
Required Skills
Required Experience