Farm Operations Senior Lead

Farm Operations Sr. Lead

Overview of Role:
The Senior Farm Lead are working leaders who execute Bonton Farms’ daily production plans and uphold quality, safety, and training standards. The Senior Farm Lead owns a site or major function (e.g., greenhouse/propagation, field production, or post-harvest/wash-pack), mentors Farm Leads, and acts as site lead when the Farm Manager is off-site.

Primary Responsibilities: 
The Farm Operations Lead will evaluate, plan, organize, and oversee all aspects of farming, harvesting, and livestock operations. Additionally, they will play a key role in financial management, budgeting, and operational development.

Daily Operations
• Execute work plans: bed prep, seeding/transplanting, irrigation, cultivation, trellising, scouting, harvesting, wash/pack, and cold chain.
• Set up crews, assign tasks, monitor pace/quality, and adjust for weather and priorities; maintain clean, organized work areas.
• Senior level adds: Convert seasonal/weekly plans into daily schedules; rebalance labor across crews/sites; lead complex operations (propagation calendars, irrigation scheduling, IPM thresholds, harvest planning, pack-line flow).

Quality, Safety & Compliance
• Enforce produce safety/GAP SOPs (sanitation, lot tracking, temperature logs, FIFO); ensure PPE use and safe equipment operation.
• Conduct toolbox talks and routine safety observations; document and correct issues promptly.
• Senior level adds: Prepare areas and documentation for audits/inspections; lead corrective actions and coach Leads on compliance.

People Leadership & Coaching
• Provide task direction and on-the-job coaching to crew members, apprentices, and volunteers; model respectful, trauma-informed  communication.
• Escalate performance/safety concerns to the Farm Manager with timely documentation.
• Senior level adds: Mentor Farm Leads; run start-of-shift huddles and end-of-day debriefs; provide input to 30–60–90 reviews.
 
Apprenticeship Program & People Program Partnership
• Deliver structured OJT using competency checklists and approved lesson plans; rotate apprentices to meet learning objectives.
• Record attendance, competency sign-offs, and incident/recognition notes in HRIS/LMS; coordinate with the People Program to address barriers (transportation, accommodations, readiness).
• Senior level adds: Validate competencies, recommend milestone wage progressions, participate in interviews/orientation, and co-facilitate micro-trainings (soft skills, job readiness).

Coordination & Communication
• Communicate status, issues, and supply needs; align harvest specs and delivery timing with Restaurant and Grocery Connect.
• Senior level adds: Manage inventory for seeds, amendments, packaging, sanitation, and PPE; submit timely reorders.

Equipment & Facilities
• Perform basic preventive maintenance; ensure tool accountability and safe storage.
• Senior level adds: Coordinate repairs and service with the Farm Manager/vendors; maintain maintenance logs.

Data & Reporting
• Maintain accurate daily logs (planting, inputs, harvest weights, culls/waste, labor hours, sanitation/temperature).
• Senior level adds: Produce weekly site/function summaries (yield vs. plan, quality holds, downtime, safety observations).

Other
• Support tours, classes, and volunteer events to provide safe, productive experiences.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Perform farming duties as needed, including fieldwork, equipment operation, planting, and animal care.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required Skills & Experience
• Farm Lead (Level I): 2+ years hands-on experience in diversified vegetable/specialty crop or urban farm production; prior crew direction preferred.
• Senior Farm Lead (Level II): 3–5 years hands-on experience; 1+ year in a lead role; proficiency in at least three areas (propagation/greenhouse, irrigation design/scheduling, IPM scouting/response, harvest leadership, post-harvest/wash–pack management).
• Strong knowledge of crop production, livestock management, irrigation systems, and sustainable farming practices.
• Experience with farm budgeting, financial planning, and record-keeping.
• Ability to operate and maintain farm machinery, tools, and equipment.
• Prior leadership experience, with the ability to train, supervise, and manage farm teams.
• Proficiency in using basic accounting software and farm management tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.
• Commitment to safety regulations and best farming practices.
• Strong documentation habits; comfort with email, shared calendars, and simple spreadsheets/log apps.
• Valid driver’s license; ability to operate small tractors/implements and powered equipment.

Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Farm Management, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Knowledge of organic or regenerative farming techniques.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations or community farms.
• Familiarity with marketing and distribution of farm products.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
 
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Comfortable working with heavy equipment and machinery.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
• Fundamental first aid skills (or willingness to undergo training).

Note: This job description is intended to outline the primary duties and responsibilities of the position; however, additional duties, responsibilities, and assignments may be required or assigned at any time based on business needs, operational priorities, or organizational necessity.