Assistant Farm Manager Jobs in Columbus, IN (NOW HIRING)

Finding the right place to grow your career isn't (over) easy, so we're here to help by sharing a few reasons why the grass is greener at Vital Farms. We think you'll appreciate our focus on Conscious Capitalism, which drives business decisions that benefit all our stakeholders (leading to even better business results). You might be drawn to our innovative approach and refusal to settle for the "way things have always been done." Or you could find it exciting to grow your skills while working for an industry-leading brand. Whether you're into our values, our brand, or our egg-cellent puns, we hope you'll join our Crew and help us change the world 108 square feet at a time! 

At Vital Farms, we're proud of the diverse communities we serve and the stakeholders who help bring our purpose to life. We're committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment where every crew member feels valued. We see this as one of our greatest strengths - and your role is key to helping us build on it. 

Your Role:

We are seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Farm Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of our company-owned farms. This role is responsible for leading farm teams, maintaining strong animal welfare and production outcomes, supporting compliance and safety programs, and ensuring efficient farm operations. The Farm Operations Manager partners closely with maintenance, compliance, veterinary, and other support teams to drive execution and continuous improvement across Accelerator Farms. 

What You'll Do:

People and Stewardship 

• Lead, coach, and develop Farm and Sr. Farm Associates.
• Establish clear expectations around safety, animal welfare, productivity, and performance.
• Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to support crew development.
• Support onboarding and training for new farm team members.
• Coordinate labor and resources across assigned farm locations.
• Identify operational improvement opportunities and partner with leadership on implementation.
• Partner with compliance, maintenance, veterinary, and nutrition teams to support farm performance and issue resolution.
• Manage farm supplies, ordering, and operational readiness.
• Take a proactive approach to troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions. 

Accelerator Farm Program 

• Oversee execution of biosecurity, pest control, quality, and safety programs.
• Ensure required records and documentation are maintained accurately.
• Support compliance with all regulatory, customer, and company requirements.
• Maintain audit readiness across assigned locations.
• Partner with Compliance to complete corrective actions resulting from audits.
• Coordinate routine facility maintenance activities and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Conduct required crew training related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and safety. 

For our Girls on Grass 

• Partner with farm teams to ensure flock health, welfare, and production performance.
• Coordinate feed deliveries and support implementation of nutrition programs.
• Monitor bird health and escalate concerns to veterinary and farm leadership teams.
• Participate in production reviews and performance discussions.
• Ensure proper pasture management, flock care, and barn conditions.
• Support flock placements, transitions, and depopulation activities.
• Assist with implementation of feed, lighting, and flock management programs. 

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of farm, livestock, poultry, or agricultural operations experience.
• Prior experience leading people in an agricultural, manufacturing, production, or operations environment.
• Located within commutable distance of all assigned locations, with the ability to work onsite 4-5 days per week.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate, manage, and hold accountable a diverse team across multiple farms, shifts, and operational priorities.
• Experience leading teams directly or indirectly in a farm, production, operations, or similarly fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to work weekends, nights, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to travel 25-35% for company events, team meetings, and other business needs.
• Effective communication skills and creative problem-solving ability
• Great organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Commitment to animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
• You're no hero - You know the power of teamwork and celebrate the work of others before your own.
• You give a sh*t - You believe in acting like an owner and making Vital Farms a place to be proud of.
• You raise the standards - You know growth can be hard, but you strive to improve yourself and others each day.
• You can walk in someone else's boots - You seek to understand other's viewpoints and think that you get to better answers by sitting on the same side of the table.
• You don't walk on eggshells - You're not afraid to leave the bullsh*t behind and have honest conversations.
• We recognize that talent comes in many forms. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may have strengths we haven't yet considered! 

What We Bring to the Table:

• A fast-paced, energetic, remote environment with passionate people who are leading a movement to bring ethically produced food to the table.
• Competitive pay and benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Paid Parental Leave, just to name a few).
• Generous retirement contributions: 401(k) + 3% Contribution from Day 1.
• Free eggs, along with friends and family discounts. 
• Fun team SWAG that will make you the talk of the town.
• Professional development opportunities and an amazing team dedicated to your growth.

At Vital Farms, compensation decisions are dependent upon a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, skill level, experience, education, training, market demands, and business needs. A reasonable estimate of the current starting annual base salary for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. Please keep in mind that hiring at the maximum end of the range would not be typical in order to allow for potential continued future salary growth.

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