Farm Manager
Location: Fellsmere, Florida
Company: B&W Quality Growers
About the Opportunity
B&W Quality Growers is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to lead large-scale field operations across approximately 2,000 acres in Fellsmere, Florida. This role is responsible for overseeing planting, growing, harvesting, labor management, crop health, budgeting, and operational planning while leading a team of supervisors and field personnel in a fast-paced fresh produce environment.
The Farm Manager will oversee day-to-day farm operations and work closely with an Assistant Farm Manager, eight Farm Supervisors, HR, Quality, Sales, and Production teams to ensure crops are produced efficiently, safely, and at the highest quality standards.
This position is ideal for an agricultural leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-moving crop production and enjoys balancing field operations, people leadership, planning, and business management.
Key Responsibilities
Farm Operations Leadership
- Lead all aspects of crop production, including planting, growing, harvesting, irrigation, fertilization, pest management, and field preparation.
- Direct and support 6โ8 supervisors responsible for planting crews, harvest crews, chemical application teams, and other field operations.
- Monitor daily labor activities and review workforce productivity, staffing levels, and labor hours.
- Coordinate with HR regarding H-2A labor programs, workforce planning, and transportation logistics.
- Ensure efficient deployment of labor resources to meet production goals.
Crop Health & Technical Management
- Monitor crop performance and field conditions throughout the growing season.
- Conduct regular field inspections and oversee pest scouting activities.
- Review and prepare daily pest reports and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
- Work closely with field scouts and supervisors to identify and address crop health concerns.
- Ensure best practices in fertilization, irrigation, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and soil health management.
Harvest Planning & Customer Fulfillment
- Collaborate daily with Quality and Sales teams to align harvest schedules with customer demand.
- Ensure harvest volumes meet order requirements and production forecasts.
- Coordinate product sampling and quality evaluations.
- Maintain strong communication across departments to support successful order fulfillment and product quality standards.
Administrative & Systems Management
- Manage work orders and operational planning through Inmatis (or similar farm management software).
- Maintain accurate production records, reports, and documentation.
- Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Weekly Responsibilities
- Develop planting plans and harvest schedules for upcoming weeks.
- Order harvest supplies, fertilizers, crop protection products, and other operational materials.
- Review key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics.
- Conduct cost analysis and monitor production expenses.
- Update production forecasts and labor requirements.
Seasonal Responsibilities
- Develop annual budgets and production plans.
- Create seasonal planting schedules and crop projections.
- Analyze labor and production costs by activity.
- Evaluate overall farm performance and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
- Plan field preparation activities, including laser leveling and fertility programs during non-harvest periods.
Team Leadership & Employee Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors and field teams.
- Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
- Complete monthly evaluations for H-2A employees.
- Conduct annual performance reviews for domestic employees.
- Foster a culture of accountability, communication, safety, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive agricultural management experience.
- Experience managing large-scale farming operations and field personnel.
- Strong knowledge of crop production, pest management, irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting practices.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and data analysis.
- Strong communication, organizational, and tactical decision-making skills.
- Experience managing budgets, labor costs, KPIs, and production metrics.
Preferred
- Bilingual English and Spanish.
- Experience managing H-2A labor programs.
- Experience with fresh produce, leafy greens, herbs, vegetables, or other high-intensity crop systems.
- Familiarity with farm management software such as Inmatis or similar platforms.
- Mechanical aptitude and understanding of agricultural equipment and field operations.
What We're Looking For
Successful candidates will come from fast-paced crop production environments where timing, quality, and labor management are critical to success. Experience with specialty crops, vegetables, leafy greens, greenhouse production, flowers, herbs, bananas, or similar intensive farming operations is highly valued.
This role is best suited for a hands-on agricultural leader who enjoys being in the field, working closely with teams, solving operational challenges, and driving results in a dynamic production environment.