Production Manager Job – Funny Girl Farm, NC

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Production Manager Job – Funny Girl Farm – Durham, NC, 2016

Funny Girl Farm is a three-year-old, 105 acre family-owned farm, producing vegetables, fruits, eggs and mushrooms.  Our goal is to provide fresh, delicious and sustainably-grown produce and excellent customer service, while maintaining a positive, productive, and educational workplace. In the coming years, the farm seeks to increase revenue through efficiency of production and growth in wholesale and retail sales.

We grow year-round and use sustainable farming practices including crop rotation, cover cropping, and IPM.  Our vegetable operation is on 2.5 acres and includes one greenhouse and four high tunnels, with a fifth on the way.  We produce free-range eggs from 750 hens and shiitake mushrooms from 2,000 logs.

We have a prime location on a busy back-route between Durham and Chapel Hill, 10-15 minutes from both downtowns.  We have established wholesale relationships with restaurants, as well as a retail farmstand, which offers a curated selection of local products, a growing customer base, and a CSA program.

The farm offers many amenities to assist production including: newly completed barn with state-of-the-art wash and packing station, three walk-in coolers, kitchen, and office, as well as delivery vehicle, Gator, and tractor.

Production Manager Job

We are seeking an experienced production manager for a salaried position leading our hardworking and vibrant team of farmers in our diversified farm operation.  Responsibilities include:

-Oversee all elements of on-farm production for garden, mushrooms, and chickens. This includes crop planning, propagation, soil management, integrative pest management, harvest, post-harvest handling and caring for farm guard dogs.

-Hire, train, schedule, and manage farm crew, including time reporting and payroll. Supervise farm crew on a daily basis and delegate responsibilities for maximum efficiency in all production tasks, including set up/take down of farmstand and assistance with deliveries when needed in coordination with Marketing & Sales Manager.

-Tracking, projecting and communicating availability to Marketing & Sales Manager for retail and wholesale.

-Maintain detailed records of crop performance and of all inputs by crop (including labor) in order to collaborate on enterprise budgeting with Marketing & Sales Manager.

-Enforce best practices for food safety.

-Maintain tools and equipment, keep facilities clean and tidy, and coordinate with Facilities Manager as needed.

-Serve as first point of contact for in-person inquiries and unanticipated production and site related issues that arise on the farm. Communicate closely with Marketing & Sales Manager and Facilities Manager about all issues relevant to their work.

-Collaborate closely with Marketing & Sales Manager and Facilities Manager and report regularly to farm owners.

-Administrative tasks including purchasing and providing receipts to Marketing & Sales Manager for expense tracking.

Supporting Roles

The Production Manager can rely on the Marketing & Sales Manager to find a market for all products of the farm, build customer base, oversee the farmstand, and track all revenue and expenses.  These positions will work collaboratively to develop enterprise budgets to inform crop planning.  Additionally, a Facilities Manager keeps buildings, grounds and essential infrastructure in working order.

Qualifications

Qualified applicants are experienced growers and managers, with demonstrated skills to lead a farm crew in efficient, year-round production.  Additional qualifications include:

-Minimum 2 years of sustainable farming experience, with at least one year in a leadership role

-Detail oriented and able to manage multiple projects with limited supervision; self-motivated

-Experience with high value crop production in high tunnels, as well as field production

-Creativity in improving efficiencies and increasing production

-Strong communicator (written and oral) and educator with ability to create positive, team-oriented work environment

-Able to lead and delegate effectively and efficiently, while managing multiple projects at once

-Proficient with basic tools, small machinery

-Proficient with Excel

-Willingness to work a range of hours depending on season, including early mornings, evenings and weekends

-Availability when on-farm emergencies arise

Compensation

Salary for the production manager job is $35-40,000, commensurate with experience.

To Apply

To apply for the production manager job please send resume, cover letter and 3 work references to general manager, Ethan Loewenthal, at info@funnygirlfarm.com. Inquiries may also be directed to Ethan.