Ag Operations Manager

Ag Operations Manager Castroville, CA Job Details Full-time $125,000 - $190,000 a year 10 hours ago Qualifications Cost management Spanish Market research projects Contract management Pricing Client onboarding Operations management Market analysis Procurement strategy development New product development 5 years Materials management in logistics Data reporting Production inventory management English Improving operational efficiency Business development within agriculture Team development Schedule management Key Performance Indicators Demand forecasting Developing strategic sourcing strategies Bachelor's degree Field research Team management Packaging Performance Improvement (PI) Relationship management Contracts Vendor contract management Research data analysis Agriculture Budgeting Procurement contract negotiation Data collection Senior level Cross-functional collaboration Production scheduling Supply Chain Management Communication skills Stakeholder relationship building Cross-functional communication Supply chain collaboration Bachelor's degree in supply chain management Agribusiness Supply chain process improvement Supply chain planning Full Job Description The Ag Operations Manager is responsible for leading grower relations, contracting, procurement planning, and planting schedule coordination across Ocean Mist Farms' production program, including both commodity and value-added operations. This role ensures alignment between field supply, harvest operations, plant demand, and commercial commitments by integrating grower management, crop intelligence, planting plans, and supply planning. This position plays a critical role in delivering accurate forecasts, reliable supply, and strong grower partnerships while driving operational efficiency across the organization. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Supply Planning, Procurement & Planting Coordination Lead procurement planning and raw material sourcing across commodity and value-added programs Collaborate daily with plant, harvest, and field operations on demand planning, forecasts, and planting schedules Develop, maintain, and adjust planting schedules across all growing regions based on demand plans and harvest timing Align field supply with plant demand, harvest schedules, and sales commitments Monitor crop estimates, yields, production forecasts, and days-to-harvest data to support planning decisions Coordinate seed procurement and delivery to greenhouse operations in alignment with planting schedules Maintain accurate records of seed usage, germination rates, and inventory in partnership with Production Accounting Identify and implement improvements to procurement, planting, and supply planning processes and tools Develop, track, and refine KPIs related to raw product supply, planting progress, and sales performance Conduct market research and cost analysis to support sourcing and planning decisions Support new product and packaging initiatives through development, trials, and commercialization Identify supply risks and implement contingency plans to ensure consistent product availability Coordinate with regional teams to ensure consistent quality and efficient product flow Drive continuous improvement across commodities, planting execution, and supply programs Grower Relations & Contracting Build and maintain strong relationships with Ocean Mist Farms' grower network (internal and external) Identify and onboard new growers to support supply needs and long-term growth Negotiate and manage grower contracts, production commitments, and pricing structures Oversee contract pricing and structured FOBs by commodity within established timelines Analyze grower budgets and support contract development and execution Conduct seasonal acreage and cost reconciliations with partnership growers Monitor grower performance to ensure quality, yield, and program expectations are met Manage quality issues, product rejections, and vendor or grower disputes Crop Intelligence & Field Operations Oversee collection and analysis of field-level data including planting progress, crop conditions, plant populations, wet dates, and yield indicators Conduct regular field observations in partnership with Farming leadership Provide timely reports to leadership highlighting risks, opportunities, and forecast updates Coordinate variety trials with seed vendors and internal teams Use crop intelligence to improve forecasting accuracy and operational planning Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Harvest, Cooler Operations, Sales, Value-Added, Farming, and Greenhouse teams to align supply with business needs Lead regular planning discussions on volume, timing, varietal selection, and planting schedules Foster collaboration to support efficiency, quality, and shared success Team Leadership Supervise and support field-based team members responsible for crop data collection and reporting Provide clear direction, accountability, and development for team success Promote a culture aligned with Ocean Mist Farms' values: respect, integrity, accountability, teamwork, innovation, and quality Perform other duties as assigned Job Requirements and Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Supply Chain, or related field preferred 5-7 years of experience in agricultural operations, procurement, supply planning, or grower relations Experience working with growers, crop forecasting, and agricultural contracting preferred Strong knowledge of fresh produce production and supply chain operations Proven ability to analyze crop and supply data to support decision-making Strong negotiation and relationship management skills Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced agricultural environment Bilingual English/Spanish preferred