Area Manager Agricultural Operations

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Area Manager Agricultural Operations! We’re a team of farmers, thinkers, creators, and doers. Whatever your title, whatever your role — it always comes back to this: we’re a farmer-owned co-op where everyone rolls up their sleeves to get the job done. Three maverick farmers started it all — and we’ve been making our own way ever since.

The Ag Operations Area Manager will lead agricultural operations within your designated growing region. Your primary responsibility will be to function as the primary point of contact for our regional grower-owners, advocating for Cooperative policies and maintaining positive grower relations. You will collaborate closely with grower-owners and Ag Operations teams to ensure sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Additionally, you will collaborate with Logistics teams to deliver quality cranberries to manufacturing plants and protect supply chain cohesion.

A Day in the Life...

• Responsible for Ag Operations leadership in one or more growing regions.
• Primary point of contact for local Ocean Spray Grower-Owners.
• Responsible for communicating and advocating Cooperative policy and direction, while maintaining positive grower relations.
• Visible spokesperson and key liaison for Ocean Spray with the independent grower community, grower associations, extension agencies, research stations, etc.
• Accountable for the equitable and consistent application of Cooperative policy plus coordination of technical resources and information available to Grower-Owners.
• Responsible for the efficient, effective operation of assigned regional Receiving Stations including supply chain activities associated with both inbound and outbound fruit movement.
• Develop, coach, and manage direct and indirect Receiving employees to meet corporate and individual objectives, maximize performance, promote the Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Imperatives of the Cooperative.
• Support projects and other Ag Operations strategic initiatives within and across multiple regions.

What We Are Looking For:

• Management/supervisory experience
• Experience in fresh produce/food/beverage industry
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer skills
• Knowledge of agricultural operations
• Ability to influence
• Leadership skills
• Ability to work within a team and independently

Education:

Bachelor's or University Degree (Required)

Work Experience:

At least 7 Years of Experience

Benefits:

• Complete insurance package on Day-1 that includes a plethora of health and wellness programs
  • Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Flexible spending account
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Telehealth services
  • Fertility benefits
  • Transgender benefits
  • 1:1 health coaching and more
• 401(k) with up to 6% Company matching; additional potential discretionary match at year-end
• Short-Term Incentive/Performance bonuses
• Flexible scheduling options
• Vacation pay, up to three weeks of time (pro-rated for your first year of employment)
• Holiday pay for 12 holidays
• Career development and growth opportunities
• Tuition/Education assistance programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Scholarship programs for children of employees
• Parental leave
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions – Back-up care, tutoring, etc.
• Adoption assistance
• Bereavement leave
• Up to $300 fitness reimbursement
• Up to $300 massage reimbursement
• Employee appreciation events
• Employee discounts
• Charitable giving

Who We Are:

You might have our iconic cranberry juice in your fridge or have gotten into heated holiday debate about what’s better - canned or fresh cranberry sauce. But did you know that the hardworking people growing the superfruit in our products are 700 family farmers that own our cooperative? They entrust us with what is most precious to them to create new and innovative products that will delight consumers and grow this beloved brand today and into the future.

Team members, farmers, consumers and communities alike-we value what makes us unique and strive to connect our farms to families for a better life by living our values:

• Grower Mindset – We embrace our grower-owners innovative spirit and heritage through confidence, learning and focus on the future.
• Sustainable Results – Guided by purpose, we are focused on delivering results for our grower-owners.
• Integrity Above All – We are ethical, doing the right thing for our grower-owners, customers, consumers and each other
• Inclusive Teamwork – We build diverse and inclusive teams that strengthen our cooperative.