Assistant Field & Harvest Manager (Montague)

Red Fire Farm is looking for an Assistant Field and Harvest Manager to help oversee all aspects of harvest and field work at our Montague farm to keep this ship rolling in shape! The ideal candidate has experience working on a diverse, vegetable farm and is committed to growing local organic food. This person will be working closely with our Field and Harvest Manager and other management staff; as well as helping to lead farm crews. They must be able to work well both independently and collaboratively. We are looking for someone who is organized, hardworking, and thinks creatively to solve problems and improve systems. This position would work well for someone seeking two years or more to develop knowledge, with potential to take on further leadership in the second year.

Responsibilities:

Help with these areas of managing, supporting the Field and Harvest Manager:

• Create daily harvest lists with crew and field information
• Manage the morning meeting, along with the Production Manager, for concise communication and fast activation of all farm crews
• Coordinate with farm crews throughout the day for harvest and field work to ensure efficiency
• Lead or be on crews when not fulfilling other duties
• Coordinate changes to orders and CSA with farm owners and other department managers
• Oversight and double-checking of farm quality standards
• Train new crew members
• Assist in overseeing the team of Farm Crew Leaders
• Give harvest tips at morning meeting as new crops come online for the season, based on weekly list details and packing department input
• Backup tractor operating
• Assist with email box monitoring and responses
• Assist with customer communication for special orders in flowers, plants
• Help insure food safety standards are being met and exceeded
• Check back stock in coolers daily for use towards harvest and give back stock reports to other managers as needed
• Read farm owner’s “Weekly List” and “Weekly Harvest Plans and Notes” before work every Monday and implement notes
• Assist in defining and maintaining schedules for work day processes – make sure meeting goals, allocate, oversee hires, call in, send home or lay off crew
• Overall management of labor efficiency for harvest –such as position planning, and labor allocation, define training goals, training schedule and bring in assistance as needed

Requirements:

• Applicants MUST have a valid driver’s license to be considered for the position; no exceptions. (Driving crews from one field to another is a requirement.)
• Experience harvesting a diversity of produce
• A desire and willingness to work outside (in the rain and the heat & cold too!)
• Comfortable with computers, email and Excel
• Must be able to lift 30-50 lbs repeatedly and easily, and work physically all day
• Must work well in teams
• Must have a good attitude and be willing to learn
• Bilingual English and Spanish candidates encouraged to apply!

Schedule & Hours:
Work hours in the main growing season are either Monday-Friday 7 am – 5 or 6 pm or Sunday-Thursday 7 am – 5 or 6 pm (hours vary depending on the time of season, and we work shorter days on Fridays and Sundays). This position can start part time work in  April and continue with full-time hours starting in May through mid December. Winter work may be available.

Other Perks:
All the organic veggies you can eat!
Fresh air and exercise
An open, friendly environment where your feedback is welcomed
Opportunities to advance and build on your skills

Location: This position is based at 184 Meadow Road, Montague MA

Job Type: Year round, variable hours: more in the main season, fewer during the winter months (December thru March)