Farm Manager job description

About the job

We are looking for a farm manager to plan production and manage the farm's resources, workers and budget, delivering good yields at a sensible cost to meet market and contract demand.

Duties and responsibilities

• Draw up the season's production plan, choosing crops or livestock and quantities to suit the market and contracts
• Prepare the farm budget and track costs and income
• Set the timing of planting, irrigation, spraying and harvest and see that it is followed
• Buy seed, fertilizer, feed and machinery and choose suppliers
• Negotiate sales and deliveries with buyers and wholesalers
• Hire workers, assign their work and monitor their performance and safety
• Oversee upkeep of wells, irrigation networks, buildings and machinery
• Keep production, water and pesticide records and report regularly to the owner

Working conditions

• Living on or near the farm and moving between fields
• Longer hours at planting and harvest

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture or in crop or animal production
• At least 6 years of experience in farm management and agricultural production, including at least 2 years leading a team

The years of experience follow the level you choose when posting.

Skills

• Farm production planning
• Budget and cost control
• Workforce management
• Water resource management
• Marketing farm produce
• Farm machinery
• Farm records
• Leadership

Preferred

• Experience with modern irrigation and greenhouse farming
• Knowledge of food safety standards and GlobalG.A.P. good farming practice certification
• Good computer and spreadsheet skills