Job Description

Summary of Role

The Produce Pool Manager is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing and executing produce farmer relationships, production information, and sales efforts. This role includes leading farmer procurement, production management, managing direct reports, policy enforcement, meetings, and training. The manager ensures product quality and provides training on standards and best practices. This is a safety-sensitive role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and develop production procurement strategies to meet sales demand.
• Communicates performance expectations by evaluating performance, providing timely feedback, training, and coaching, and recommending personnel actions for assigned staff
• Manage the strategic farmer sign-up process, coordinate supply regions, and monitor compliance.
• Organize and lead monthly Pool and Produce Executive Committee meetings.
• Implement and oversee quality safeguards for member production.
• Participate in the creation and enforcement of pool policies, ensuring strategic alignment and compliance.
• Support cost of production and fair market pricing, providing strategic oversight and guidance.
• Develop and lead the achievement of annual budgeted sales and production goals.
• Increase revenue, profit margin, and cost-effectiveness through strategic initiatives.
• Maintain and build customer relationships, develop new opportunities, and oversee strategic client interactions.
• Strategize supply opportunities by collaborating with external growers and manage these relationships to expand sales through seasonal products.
• Engage with and strategically develop new broker relationships.
• Collaborate with Produce Production on product procurement and strategic initiatives, supervising their execution.
• Prepare the annual program budget, forecast goals, and oversee strategic financial planning.
• Track inbound product availability and outbound order fulfillment, ensuring efficiency with strategic oversight.
• Maintain and oversee department processes, ensuring strategic alignment.
• Track market trends around pricing and availability, providing strategic insights and oversight.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend and represent the organization at produce/organic grower conferences.
• Draft strategic articles for membership and Pool Department meeting reports.
• Assist with new product development and supervise the strategic process.
• Foster positive relationships with the OV Sales Force and manage strategic collaborations.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 10+ years of business and leadership experience, with at least 5+ years in the produce industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Agri-Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Proven ability to lead a team to deliver results.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Discretion in decision-making.
• Team player with excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work evening hours during peak season and flexible scheduling.
• Practical vegetable production experience and knowledge of organic practices required.
• Knowledge of USDA produce grade standards.
• Experience in the produce industry and with organic farming preferred.
• Experience working with farmers.
• Ability to promote cooperative values.
• Willingness to travel and work in the field.
• Strong people skills and excellent communication, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of the organic food marketplace preferred.
• Negotiation and trade experience preferred.
• Motivated to maintain and increase trade knowledge through industry contacts and resources.
• Working knowledge of Excel, Outlook & Word and familiarity with general business systems and databases.
• Occasional travel to attend trade shows or meet with customers.

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