Job Description

California Assistant Farm Manager

Position Overview

The California Assistant Farm Manager serves as the Farm Manager’s trusted partner and second-in-command , playing a crucial role in the day-to-day execution of our specialty potato farming operations. This role requires someone who can work in complete lockstep with the Farm Manager , anticipating needs, identifying potential challenges before they arise, and ensuring smooth operations across the farm.

You will oversee hourly field teams ensuring labor efficiency, vendor compliance, and land management are aligned with farm objectives. Your role is both hands-on and highly strategic , balancing field operations with workforce management and vendor coordination. You will need to be highly organized, decisive, and fluent in Spanish , capable of keeping all moving parts aligned while serving as the Farm Manager’s eyes, ears, and voice on the ground .

If you thrive in high-intensity environments, love leading teams, and excel at problem-solving in real time , this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

Farm Leadership & Workforce Management

• Serve as the Farm Manager’s second-in-command , ensuring their strategies and priorities are effectively executed.
• Directly oversee the farm’s hourly workforce , setting expectations, ensuring task completion, and providing hands-on leadership in the field.
• Ensure timely execution of farm tasks , keeping schedules on track and addressing workforce challenges proactively.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in Spanish to ensure that all field workers understand priorities and expectations.
• Oversee vendor performance , ensuring all contracted services (e.g., chemical applications, irrigation, equipment servicing) meet farm needs and deadlines.
• Enforce safety and compliance standards , making sure all teams adhere to regulatory and farm-specific guidelines.

Field Operations & Crop Management

• Support the Farm Manager in implementing field strategies , ensuring seamless execution of soil preparation, planting, irrigation, and chemical applications and all other crop activities.
• Monitor crop health , report concerns, and help coordinate responses to disease, pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Assist in irrigation management , tracking water use and making real-time adjustments as needed.
• Ensure proper chemical application management, working closely with agronomists and the Farm Manager.
• Conduct regular field inspections and provide direct, detailed reports to the Farm Manager to support decision-making.

Harvest & Post-Harvest Execution

• Work closely with the Farm Manager to plan and oversee harvest operations, ensuring the right timing, labor, and equipment are in place.
• Supervise field teams during harvest, ensuring proper handling, grading, and shipping of potatoes to maintain quality.
• Manage real-time coordination with storage and shipping teams to streamline post-harvest logistics .
• Quickly diagnose and troubleshoot issues during harvest, keeping operations running efficiently and minimizing delays.

Vendor Management

• Oversee vendor performance , ensuring that services (such as labor providers, equipment rental, or chemical applications) are performed on time and to specification.
• Work closely with external contractors and service providers to ensure they meet farm needs without disrupting daily operations.

Operational Oversight & Record-Keeping

• Maintain detailed logs and reports on planting schedules, irrigation, workforce hours, harvest yields, and chemical applications.
• Track labor productivity and vendor performance , identifying areas for improvement and cost savings.
• Work with farm management software to streamline data tracking and optimize farm performance .
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, safety regulations, and farm policies .

Equipment & Maintenance Management

• Oversee daily maintenance and repair of farm equipment, ensuring everything is in working order and minimizing downtime.
• Work closely with the Farm Manager to prioritize and schedule equipment maintenance ahead of critical planting and harvest windows.
• Maintain inventory of parts and supplies , ensuring that necessary stock levels are available without excessive cost.
• Coordinate with mechanics and service providers to ensure quick, effective repairs when needed .

This Role is for You If:

• You thrive in a high-intensity environment , making quick, strategic decisions.
• You are highly organized and can keep track of multiple moving parts at once.
• You anticipate challenges before they arise and act proactively.
• You are a strong communicator , able to clearly relay information to a distributed workforce .
• You can work in complete sync with the Farm Manager , ensuring alignment and rapid execution.
• You enjoy leading teams, managing vendors, and ensuring smooth operations across all farm functions.

This Role is Not for You If:

• You struggle to manage time and meet deadlines .
• You are not comfortable communicating in Spanish .
• You lack organization and struggle to track team tasks .
• You prefer to work alone rather than in a team-driven environment .
• You don’t thrive in high-pressure, fast-moving agricultural operations .
• You have difficulty coordinating with vendors, landowners, and farmworkers .

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