Assistant 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 an Assistant Production Manager. One or more seasons of previous farming experience, with some experience operating tractors preferred.
Siena Farms’ Assistant 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 Assistant Production Manager include but are not limited to the planning, management, and execution of the following.
Production Management
- Assist in managing the year-round production of our crops, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, mushrooms, winter greens, and other specialty crops.
- Assist Siena Farms’ Greenhouse Manager in the production of transplants for field crops, microgreens, and high tunnel crops
- Assist 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
- Assist in managing ground prep, mechanical planting and seeding, mechanical cultivation, pest and disease management, cover-cropping, etc.
- Assist in managing 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 daily/weekly harvest of vegetable & flower crops, post-harvest handling, crop storage, and distribution, including but not limited to CSA packs
- Assist in the training and management of Siena Farms’ Seasonal Staff into various production tasks
- Assist in 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 Assistant 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.
Throughout the season, members of the production team will regularly assist the harvest team in addition to their other responsibilities.
Qualifications
- One or more seasons of previous experience operating tractors on a farm is 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
- A deep interest in soil conservation and farmland stewardship
Schedule
Our Assistant Production Manager position is considered a full-time, year-round position, averaging 40 hours/week spread over 4 days per week in the “cold months” (December through March), and averaging 50-60 hours / week spread over 5 days in the “warm months” (April through November).
Core schedule during December through March is 7am – 5pm four weekdays per week. 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 or 6 pm at the latest, with either a “Friday/Saturday” weekend, or a “Sunday/Monday” weekend. One paid hour of lunch break per day is allotted to all farm staff on any given work day. Please see employee handbook for more details on sick day and other HR policies.
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 jobs@sienafarms.com. We look forward to hearing from you!