Farm Manager - Filled (ID: 4054)

Position Summary:

The Farm Manager position is responsible for effective planning, delegating, coordinating, staffing and scheduling, organizing and decision making as it relates to a modern agribusiness that is dedicated to excellence in farming, equine health and training.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supervise all steps of the crop production including seeding, land rolling, harrowing, aerating, planting, fertilizing, spraying, harvesting and logistics;
• Determine how to raise crops according to market and soil conditions;
• Recommend sales and purchasing of farm equipment, trucks, crops and agricultural products to senior management;
• Management of land agreements and contracts;
• Assist the accounting department in customer invoicing related to custom farming;
• Coordination and delegation of daily worker activities;
• Ensure safety is always top of mind and safety measures are enforced at all times;
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of pesticides, fertilizers, and potential crop concerns as it relates to grain and hay;
• Proactively watch for future weather conditions and advisories that may affect crop growing cycles to plan and adapt accordingly;
• Manage the organization of administrative records for farming operations;
• Research and be up to date on modern farming technology to ensure efficiency;
• Work with other department heads (i.e. breeding, racing, gardening and fish) where applicable;
• Ensure purchase orders are issued and invoices are checked and properly maintained within the farm divisions;
• Maintain the inventories for hay and straw sales (i.e. big square, small square, round bales, etc.);
• Advertise and market farm products;
• Implement and enforce company and client health, safety, environment and quality policies and procedures, to ensure that teams operate in a safe and efficient manner;
• Responsible for regular equipment inspections to ensure proper functioning and completing maintenance / repairs, where necessary;
• Enforce yard protocol procedures (i.e. horse crossing, wedding event protocol, farm equipment priority and stop and yield);
• Monitor all incoming customer feedback and respond to inquiries and concerns with a high level of professionalism;
• Identify deficiencies within the working environment and proactively take steps to rectify any issues to ensure efficiency;
• Manage all areas of staffing including but not limited to recruitment; training of new hires; identifying learning opportunities, mentoring, and facilitating a path of upward mobility and growth for all staff members, workforce management and performance management;
• Maintain positive working relationships with external contractors such as plumbers, electricians, truckers or mechanics;
• Lead various meetings internally with various staff members as well as externally with outside clients; and
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Preferred Skillsets and Qualifications:

The Farm Manager must be a highly detail orientated, flexible and energetic.  Other requirements include:

• Must possess reliable transportation with a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record;

• Must possess 10-15 years’ experience in a similar farming environment that includes management experience;
• Candidate needs to be comfortable and familiar with all types of farming equipment and related maintenance and safety protocol;
• Must be open to new opportunities and be able to bring in new clients to the company;

• Understands how to prioritize and manage time effectively with a strong attention to detail;
• Evidence of the practice of a high level of confidentiality;
• Be adaptable, flexible, open to change and able to function effectively in a team environment;

• Ability to quickly and efficiently adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines consistently;

• Approachable, passionate and displays a positive can-do attitude; and
• Must have a high knowledge of all aspects of farm management including people management, delegation and financial knowledge.