Agriculture Operation Head

Role Purpose :

The Agriculture Field Operations Head is responsible for leading and overseeing all field operations related to strawberry production throughout the agricultural season. The role ensures proper seedling establishment, crop growth, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease management, sampling, and quality compliance. The position leads the field operations team and coordinates with growers, suppliers, laboratories, quality, pesticide, and sourcing teams to ensure that strawberries meet the company’s production, food safety, processing, and export requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead the planning and execution of seasonal strawberry field operations across all approved farms and growing regions.
2. Oversee seedling establishment and continuously monitor plant growth, crop development, field conditions, and expected production performance.
3. Supervise irrigation and fertilization programs and ensure that applications are implemented according to crop growth stages, field conditions, and approved technical recommendations.
4. Oversee pest, disease, and weed management programs, ensuring timely interventions and compliance with approved pesticide lists, application rates, pre-harvest intervals, and export requirements.
5. Lead the agricultural sampling program, including sample scheduling, traceability, laboratory coordination, result review, and follow-up on any non-compliant results.
6. Manage and develop the field operations, farm acquisition, and sampling teams by assigning responsibilities, reviewing performance, providing technical guidance, and ensuring achievement of operational targets.
7. Maintain effective coordination with growers, suppliers, quality, pesticide, sourcing, production, and laboratory teams to resolve field issues and ensure consistent supply of high-quality strawberries.
8. Review field, sampling, and quality reports; identify operational risks and recurring issues; and ensure the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

Qualification :

• Strong technical knowledge of strawberry production, seedling establishment, crop development, and harvesting requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of irrigation, fertigation, plant nutrition, soil management, and fertilizer application programs.
• Strong knowledge of strawberry pests, diseases, weeds, integrated pest management, and pesticide application practices.
• Understanding of pesticide residues, Maximum Residue Limits, pre-harvest intervals, approved pesticide lists, and export compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of agricultural sampling procedures, sample labeling, traceability, laboratory coordination, and result interpretation.
• Understanding of agricultural quality systems, food safety requirements, Good Agricultural Practices, and export crop standards.
• Ability to analyze crop, field, sampling, laboratory, and quality data and convert findings into practical actions.
• Proficiency in operational planning, reporting, KPI monitoring, documentation systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong leadership, team management, coaching, and performance management skills.
• Excellent planning, prioritization, organization, and time-management abilities.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to field emergencies and operational risks.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships with growers, suppliers, laboratories, and cross-functional teams.
• High attention to detail, accountability, integrity, and commitment to agricultural quality and food safety.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple farms, teams, and operational priorities.
• 4–8 years of relevant experience in agricultural field operations, commercial crop production, strawberry or horticultural crops, including at least 3 years in a managerial or senior leadership position.
• Males are preferred