JOB TITLE:  Grower Operations Advisor

LOCATION:  Santa Maria, CA

JOB #:  5252


Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC), an International Berry Company, is seeking a dynamic individual to join our CA team.  We currently have a career opportunity available for a Grower Operations Advisor to be based in our Santa Maria District.  This newly developed position will extend support throughout our California operations including Oxnard, Santa Maria, Watsonville and Salinas districts.

POSITION PURPOSE
The exclusive purpose of this position is to provide dedicated and specific support to new RAC berry growers.  This position will be responsible for decreasing the learning timeframe of new growers through timely and effective implementation of best management and agronomic practices.  This individual will have the authority to collaborate with targeted growers and the RAC management team to make operational decisions that will maximize profitability and productivity for the new grower operations.  This position will report to the Director of Knowledge and Innovation, but is directly accountable to the District Operational Vice Presidents.

General Responsibilities

The position will provide specific operations support through hands-on collaboration with the targeted growers and will focus on the timely and quality implementation of efficient agricultural and management practices. This position will be focused on timely and efficient farming and harvest implementation and execution. The position will also assist new growers in regulatory farming requirements, fillings, and serve as a liaison between the grower, the company and the marketer. The position will utilize resources from across the company operations, Knowledge & Innovation Dept., Human Resources, marketer as well as outside sources.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support in the following specific areas:

• Implementation of recommendations of soil, water and petiole analysis results

• Implementation of Fertility & Irrigation Strategies

• Harvest Management and Production Management

• Fruit Quality Management

• Regulatory Requirements/Responsibilities

• Assist in fumigation permits/requirements

• Training pesticide requirements and reporting

• Ranch Infrastructure Development Support

• Irrigation Infrastructure design and implementation

• Field Layouts

• Plants

• Varieties

• Business Driver knowledge and training

• Bee Management

• Business support

• Labor sourcing: coordination & support

• Equipment requirements

• Farming decision making

• Provide rapid-response solutions to emergency production problems

• Maintain on-going knowledge of all proprietary and public variety development and research projects associated with berry production

• Submit regular comprehensive update reports

• Coordinate special projects as required

• “Connect the dots” for new growers

EDUCATION, QUALITIES AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, Agronomy, Horticulture, Soil Science, Plant Science, or other related discipline

• Five years experience in production agriculture or related field desired. Strawberry and/or caneberry production experience preferred

• Bilingual English/Spanish required

• Knowledge of P&L and farm management reporting

• Motivated, detail-oriented, self-starter and perpetual learner who possesses the ability to motivate and to lead a team of growers

• Assertive, self-driven personality with solid organizational and time-management skills with the ability to work efficiently in an environment of low level of daily supervision

• Ability to maintain current relationships and to develop new relationships

• Strong team-building and collaboration skills.

• Self confident with the ability to influence others.

• Good listener with empathy and an open mind

• Goal and solution oriented

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Strong computer skills to include all Microsoft Office

• Valid CA driver’s license and capability to be covered under RAC Company Vehicle Insurance policy required

• Ability to travel to all California districts on a regular basis

• Honest, trustworthy, fun and passionate