Field Manager, Agriculture

About Us

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We're a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

No matter the brand, we're united under one vision:To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000 food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we're transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion - and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen - there's only one thing to do: join our table and let's make life delicious!

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level - from entry-level intern to senior leader - to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners - to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz - which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You're expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level - and you'll be rewarded. You're given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won't do it alone. You're supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

Job Purpose

As the Field Procurement Manager, you will serve as the primary contact between the Kraft Heinz Escalon, California manufacturing facility and the growers that support the facility's raw tomato supply. You will be responsible for contracting acreage and securing services for inspecting and harvesting tomatoes. The role is critical to ensuring Kraft Heinz has an adequate supply of tomatoes that meet our quality standards and production demands. You will manage the relationship with our grower base, contracted trucking companies, farm and county agents, as well as partnering with the Escalon leadership team to meet and exceed business objectives.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Responsible for securing the company with a timely and acceptable supply of raw products that meet production demands and quality standards dictated by our good manufacturing practices and Escalon production leadership team. Includes contracting required acreage based on raw material demands and advise growers on our agricultural standards.

• Oversee the planting schedule of growers, to coincide with the production needs of the company. Provide proper seed for raw product production, per the company's specifications and State of California requirements.

• Maintain the ability to procure, if available, uncontracted raw product to secure supply and mitigate risks for contracted crop failure or other unforeseen events.

• Establish and manage relationships with growers that creates reassurance of business continuity and champion our commitment to quality. Maintain favorable relations with farm and county agents, as well as peers in the industry.

• Maintain relations with the contracted trucking companies and advise the company on contracted hauling rates for each grower and location.

• Provide Escalon management with estimates for determining base production schedules.

• Assure proper application and handling of pesticides by growers. Includes procuring all pesticide reports and ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations through verification of grower documentation.

• Coordinate all phases of overall planting, including scheduling planting and harvesting. Responsible for directing and coordinating the harvest and delivery of all products.

• Advise growers regarding soil preparation and fertilization.

• Provide growers with seed specifications for variety requirements.

• Make frequent inspections of acreage to determine the condition of crops and prospective yields.

• Keep management informed of operations through periodic reports on crop conditions, competitive activities, market conditions, etc.

• Analyze the seasonal activity, including successes and failures, and provide a comprehensive report to management with recommendations for improved operations.

• Procure late harvest tonnage not contracted for but required due to pack requirements.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• Hold a bachelor's degree in agriculture science, related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Has experience in field operations for tomato growing and harvesting.

• Have a working knowledge of good agricultural production in growing, harvesting, and processing tomatoes. Includes knowledge of processing tomato varieties and understands yield per ton, flavor, "cooking" ability, etc.

• Working knowledge of pesticide application, soil, chemistry, and fertilizer technology.

• Practical experience with plant pathology.

• General knowledge of farm equipment.

• Professional fluency in English with strong written, verbal, and listening skills is a must; ability to speak Spanish is a plus.

• Ability to travel >50% of the time.

• Field position that requires travel (often 1 hour ) to grower sites via Company-provide vehicle; acceptable driving record (as outlined in Company policy) is required to obtain Company vehicle and maintain employment.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Field based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc. Additionally, this role requires travel (often 1 hour ) to grower sites via Company-provide vehicle; acceptable driving record (as outlined in Company policy) is required to obtain Company vehicle and maintain employment.