Position Summary: 

The Production Manager at Vertical Harvest Maine is responsible for the day-to-day management of the packing and production area(s) and supervision of the staff associated with harvesting and packaging. This is a hands-on role requiring an individual is a team player, one who is willing to roll up their sleeves and isn’t afraid to get dirty. The ideal candidate is passionate about sustainable agriculture and embraces Vertical Harvests’ core values and mission.

Essential Responsibilities:

Leadership/Management

1. Lead, manage, and supervise farm production staff
2. Ensure cases are packed according to pacing/timing chart
3. Complete pacing chart daily
4. Manage associates to pack carefully, delicately, quickly
5. Coordinate pace and timing with Director of Farm Operations
6. Evaluate effectiveness of packing methods and process
7. Evaluate effectiveness of associates
8. Consistently work with Head Grower and Director of Farm Operations to improve packing methods and processes

Food Safety program

1. Ensure staff is following all proper food safety requirements and ensure timely completion of all necessary logs.
2. Ensure proper hand washing and use of gloves, aprons, and hairnets
3. Ensure associates maintain clean clothes, personal hygiene, and good health 
4. Supervise associate adherence to the farm dress code and packing regulations, (e.g. no earphones, no hoods, footwear specifications, no food, drinks, etc.)
5. Ensure clean work areas, bins, trays, scales, tables. No mobile phones or food on packing tables.
6. Ensure that soiled or dropped leaves are not packed
7. Ensure coolers are clean and temperatures are stable

Quality Control

1. Inspect and weigh produce; discard leaves as necessary; ensure no bugs, damaged leaves, tip burned leaves or leaves dropped on floor enter package
2. Monitor leaves for pests or pathogens and reports to Head Grower

Daily delivery loading coordination

1. Assist in truck loading as needed.
2. Assist in loading boxes on to U-Boats and Pallets, carrying boxes to loading areas, loading cases onto trucks
3. Ensure loading time is quick, efficient, and safe
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of loading procedures
5. Ensure staff safety to minimize injury, lifting strain, etc.
6. Work with Operations Manager ongoing basis to improve loading procedures

Production and Storage area cleanliness and maintenance

1. Maintenance and cleanliness of production area furniture, tools, floors, and sinks
2. Maintenance and cleanliness of walk-in coolers
3. Maintenance and cleanliness of storage areas

Daily production record keeping

1. Pace charts
2. Pack Logs
3. Food Safety Logs as assigned
4. Cooler inventory
5. Cooler temperatures
6. Supply Inventory Logs
7. Report supply needs and inventory to Director of Farm Operations weekly

Assist in Daily Tasks as needed

1. Track and order labels and corrugated materials
2. Work with third-party vendors and suppliers to resolve and production supply issues
3. Order and monitor inventory levels of all packing and harvesting supplies 
4. Complete weekly pack room reports
5. Manage labor costs, employee schedules, sick time, and PTO, minimize OT, and maintain a sense of urgency and daily efficiency.
6. Professionally address employee concerns and complaints
7. Schedule cleaning and maintenance of the production area(s) and assist in the hands-on cleaning responsibilities of the farm.

Improve Methods & Efficiency

1. Develop Best Practices for packing
2. Improve Efficiency
3. Ensure staff safety to minimize injury, lifting strain, etc.
4. Communicate daily with Director of Farm Operations and Head Grower

Requirements:

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: 

1. Minimum High School Degree/GED (Bachelor Degree Preferred)
2. Experience in greenhouse work and/or hydroponics
3. Familiarity with ERP and inventory control
4. Experience with food safety practices, goals, rules, and regulations
5. Experience in data collection and recording
6. Bilingual highly preferable, but not required
7. Ability to motivate, inspire and coach hourly workforce
8. Problem-solving skills and foresight- capable to identify areas of efficiencies
9. Ability to work weekend and holiday coverage will be required on an as-needed basis

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: 

1. Employee-Centered Mindset
2. Safety-Conscious Mindset
3. Experience in working with/supporting employees with disabilities
4. Decisive and action-orientation
5. Strategic systems thinker
6. Results driven, energetic, confident personality
7. Excellent communication & collaboration  skills
8. Able to work independently and as part of a team
9. Excellent record keeping / documentation / organizational skills
10. Able to manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects simultaneously
11. Extremely observant, detail-oriented, and data obsessed
12. Comfortable in fast paced environment, flexible when demands change
13. Aware and inclusive of others
14. Embodies Vertical Harvest values of dynamic growth, inclusivity, ingenuity, transparency, empowerment, compassion
15. Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions