Howe & Sturgis Russet Farm Manager

Howe, Indiana & Sturgis, Michigan

Salary Grade: $75,000-$95,000/yr

Overview of Company: Lennard Ag Company is a family-owned, three-generations deep farming operation that’s been producing and delivering quality vegetables and grain crops since 1947. Specializing in potatoes, we grow over 14,000 acres in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina. We combine strong industry traditions with cutting-edge agricultural practices, advanced technology, and the latest management practices. Anchored by our strong history, Lennard Ag Company’s modern operations are complemented by their care for the land, their community, and the people with whom they work.

Overview of Position: The purpose of this position is to direct all operational duties on a farm, including leading and directing employees, working alongside direct reports, process evaluation and improvement, problem resolution, ensuring quality and a safe work environment. The incumbent will have a hands-on role leading the field teams during planting, growing, and harvesting periods. During off seasons, the incumbent will prepare for the upcoming labor season, as well as work on equipment. Your team will consist of local employees and H2A employees during the growing season and this group will be larger during planting and harvesting seasons.

Summary of Duties:   
• Oversee the daily operations of the farm, focused primarily on the Russet Variety of the potato crop
• Oversee planting, growing, harvesting, and shipping of the russet variety
• Making repairs and performing maintenance on farm equipment and facilities
• Maintain Russet Chip Quality per customer requirements
• Coordinate plant health and season planning activities with Agronomy Team
• Maintain irrigation and ensure appropriate water and fertigation levels
• This includes verification that all pivots are operating at full capacity
• Ensure designated team members are trained on the operation and maintenance of all equipment. Assigns maintenance and operation of shared equipment. Coordinates staffing with other locations when necessary
• Maintains crash maps
• Prepare upcoming season staffing during the off season. E.g. clean up after season, clean equipment, and document repairs and coordinate repairs, as needed
• Winterize flume system and houses
• Complete weekly time report by crop
• Ensure GAP requirements are met and followed
• Review and update Pivot Operational Instructions
• Update Dashboard on daily basis to document completed tasks and due dates for current and new tasks
• Coordinating with suppliers and buyers to purchase necessary supplies and sell farm products

Personal Attributes:
• Sound judgement
• Active listener
• Sense of urgency — proven ability to respond immediately to spontaneous customer demands
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Detail-oriented
• Hands-on
• Customer focused
• Quality focused
• Safety focused
• Initiative/self-driven
• Goal driven
• Considers challenges as opportunities vs. problems
• Physical stamina
• Technical skills
• Effective communicator

Education and Work Experience/Requirement:
• Previous experience in a farm management setting or held position with transferrable skills such as construction manager
• High School Diploma required
• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or another related field preferred

Competencies:      
• Effective written, verbal, and non-verbal communications
• Situational leadership skills, ability to work with people who have different levels of skills, experience, communication skills, and maturity
• Proven decision-making skills
• Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to find root cause vs. just symptoms
• Proven ability to navigate on internet-based tools (e.g. tablets, computers, and mobile phones)
• Mechanical aptitude

Motivation/Interests:
• Desire to advance their career within the agricultural industry

Physical Requirements:
• This position requires exposure to all farm operations, as well as the maintenance/shop facility. Must be capable of lifting objects up to 50lbs regularly. Some physical demands of the job include lifting heavy objects, scooping, bending, twisting, turning, climbing, squatting, kneeling, and the ability to stand for extended periods of time. Weight of the objects may vary depending on the job task at hand. Physical fitness and stamina is also crucial in this job.

Environmental Factor/Working Conditions:      
• Work is performed in a professional, smoke-free office environment
• Occasional activities may take place within a manufacturing setting that require PPE  
• Some travel may be required
• Work environment required immediate response to spontaneous customer demands

Physical Requirement:
• Equipment operation may include sitting, standing, or performing physical tasks
• Equipment repair may include gripping, pushing, pulling, lifting, sitting, standing, use of power tools, and hand tools
• Lifting or squatting for approximate 8 or more hours per shift
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to raise arms above shoulders

Schedule:
• Hours of operation will vary, and are dependent on the season, and demand of the operational needs of the farm

Supervision Received:
• Operations Manager/CEO

Supervisory Responsibility:
• Will supervise H2A workers, as well as some other roles within the operational side

Quality Standards:
• Required to follow company and departmental quality standards.

Benefits:
• Our healthcare plan provides 100% company paid premium coverage for the employee and 50% premium coverage for their family
• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• Short-Term Disability
• Life

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Employees may be asked to perform other duties at the company’s sole discretion.