Production Manager
Overview
We are seeking a hard-working, committed, talented individual motivated by a career interest in sustainable agriculture to join our 2024 team as a Production Manager. Three or more seasons of previous experience operating tractors on a farm is required.
Siena Farms’ Production Manager is a core member of the year-round crop production management team for our 75-acre diversified produce farm. They, like all of our employees, are held to high standards for organization, communication, positive attitude, respect and kindness for coworkers, work quality, and professional work ethic, work pace, and work schedule. Of all of these values, respect and kindness for coworkers is the top priority, as everything else follows from that.
Primary responsibilities of our Production Manager include but are not limited to the planning, management, and execution of the following.
Production Management
- Manage the year-round production of our crops, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, winter greens, and other specialty crops
- Oversee our Greenhouse Manager in the production of transplants for field crops, microgreens, and high tunnel crops
- Oversee Siena Farms’ Mushroom Production Manager with various tasks relating to the successful production of said enterprise(s)
- Operate machinery relating to the production of field crops, including but not limited to:
- Tractors, ranging from small cultivating tractors to large tillage/utility tractors
- Tractor implements for various purposes
- Trucks and trailers for various purposes
- Hand-held / small engine and electric tools for crop production and farm maintenance/improvement
- Manage ground prep, mechanical planting and seeding, mechanical cultivation, pest and disease management, cover-cropping, etc.
- Manage field work including season extension, fencing, weed management, twining, trellising, suckering, pruning, etc.
- Participate in weekly field tours to assess status of crop production, scout for pests/problems, and plan for upcoming production tasks of the week
- Assist Harvest Managers and other Siena Farms’ staff with proper post-harvest handling methods, crop storage, and distribution
- Manage the training of Siena Farms’ Seasonal Staff into various production tasks
- Manage the development, execution, monitoring, and potential adjustments of our 2024 crop plan during the course of the season
- Participate in general farm upkeep, maintenance, and cleanliness
- Keep in close communication with Siena Farms’ management team on all of the above
Secondary Responsibilities of our Production Manager, when and if the primary responsibilities described above are accomplished at any given time during the day, week, or season, and/or when it is asked of them by their manager(s) based on priorities of the farm as a whole, include but are not limited to the following:
- Assisting with crop harvest, wash-up, CSA and order packing, general farm facility care, infrastructure maintenance, new projects, deliveries, etc. Particularly in the autumn, members of the farm’s production team join our harvest team on a regular basis as tractor work slows down and harvest work peaks.
Qualifications
- Three or more seasons of previous experience operating tractors on a farm is required.
- Degree in agronomy or related field is preferred, but not required.
- Familiarity with the necessary tools and equipment to perform day to day tasks around the farm
- A basic understanding of how farm machinery functions, and the ability to operate the machinery safely
- A basic understanding of farm machinery maintenance
- The ability to lift and carry 50+ lb objects
- A valid driver’s license and safe driving record
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work efficiently and both independently and collaboratively on a team
- Interest in operating tractors for a majority of work schedule, particularly in the summer months
- A deep interest in soil conservation and farmland stewardship
Schedule
Our Production Manager position is considered a full-time, year-round position with a flexible start date during Winter 2023, and an initial commitment through Thanksgiving 2024. The schedule averages 40 hours/week spread over 4 days per week in the “cold months” (December through March), and averages 50 hours / week spread over 5 days in the “warm months” (April through November).
Core schedule during December through March is Monday through Thursday, 7am – 5pm. Core schedule during April and May is Monday through Friday, 7am – 5pm. Core schedule June through November includes 5 days a week from 7am – 5pm, with a “Friday/Saturday” weekend, or a “Sunday/Monday” weekend. Some portions of some seasons historically have required work days extend to 6pm in the summer and fall, so we’ll keep that as an option but not a likelihood. One hour of paid lunch break per day is allotted to all farm staff.
Compensation
- Competitive salary, including a generous paid-vacation package.
- Perks include a weekly veggie farm share to take home, additional access to surplus produce, plus employee discounts at Siena Farms’ retail sites as well as at family restaurants Oleana and Sofra.
Other
- We do not offer on-farm housing
- We do offer employer sponsored health insurance to all full-time employees after 90 days from start date.
- Reliable transportation to and from the farm in Sudbury is required.
To Apply
Please email a letter of interest and a resumé to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!