Orchard Labour Manager

at  Schuyler Farms Limited

Job Summary: The Orchard Labour Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the daily operations of an apple and cherry orchard. This person will act as second in command to the Orchard Operations Manager. This includes supervising the planting, maintenance, pruning, thinning and harvesting of apple and cherry orchard, supervising field workers, ensuring compliance with safety and agricultural standards, and optimizing orchard productivity and fruit quality. This role requires an individual who exemplifies the company values of humble, driven, and solutions oriented.
Humble – Employees that are team players and are respectful of others and the job at hand. Great team players lack excessive ego or concerns about status. Humble employees are quick to point out contributions of others and slow to seek attention of their own.
Driven – Employees who are motivated and focused on self improvement. Driven or hungry employees are always looking for more. More things to do, learn, and take responsibility for. They never have to be pushed by a manager to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent.
Solutions Oriented – Employees who focus on solving, and preventing problems from occurring, not just identifying them. This is equal parts of problems with systems and processes and the common sense that an employee has about people. They are aware, act appropriately, ask good questions, and listen to understand.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain a team-oriented culture, fostering collaboration and mutual respect among team members.
• Skillful in effectively matching individuals to suitable roles based on their skill sets and strengths.
• Proficient in modern orchard practices to optimize fruit quality and consistency.
• Demonstrated expertise in the use of crop protection materials and adept at interpreting product labels to ensure compliance and efficacy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enabling clear and effective communication with team members, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Must be proficient in the use of digital tools and apps for task management, communication, irrigation, etc.
• Strong time management abilities, capable of prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced agricultural environment.
• Possession of a valid Ontario G driver’s license, with a valid Ontario C driver’s license considered an asset.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a specialization in horticulture and Labour Management is preferred.
• Previous experience in a leadership role, demonstrating the ability to effectively lead and motivate a team.
• Knowledge of workplace safety precautions, with a commitment to promoting and maintaining a safe working environment.
• Prior experience in fruit tree production, with a thorough understanding of orchard management practices.
• Additional training or experience in business management is advantageous, contributing to effective organizational leadership and strategic decision-making.
  Salary $80.000 to $110.000
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• Lead and manage a team of field workers, providing guidance, training, and support.
• Drive the manual labour tasks - setting and maintaining expectations for pace and efficiency.
• Schedule and assign tasks to workers, ensuring efficient use of labor and resources including transportation.
• Support the identification of new equipment operators.
• Responsible for the distribution and assignment of orchard tools, ladders, shears etc.
• Monitor work performance and productivity, addressing any issues promptly.
• Accountable for overall labour and logistical efficiency, and productivity – simply stated the right people are in the right place with the right tools.
• Oversee planting, pruning, thinning, and harvesting activities.
• Oversee harvest flow through Inspecting apples for quality and maturity, ensuring they meet industry standards and customer expectations.
• Ensure all field activities comply with safety regulations and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of labor hours, and other relevant data.
• Communicate regularly with farm management about orchard conditions, labor needs, and production progress.
• Prepare and submit reports on orchard activities, production yields, and labor costs as requested.
• Lead a team of crew leaders, implementing a proactive system of coaching and development to empower both full-time and seasonal employees with modern orchard practices.
• Ensure that the following primary objectives are accomplished through your team:
• Efficient and profitable operations
• Day-to-day leadership and implementation of orchard operations, including harvest, hand thinning, tree training, pruning and planting.
• Compliance with all food safety requirements, including regulatory record-keeping surrounding in-season and harvest operations.
• Adherence to company policies.
• Proper training of employees in equipment, offering retraining when necessary.
• Work with the Operations administrator to accurately track labor costs and payroll, maintain inventory of orchard tools (saws, picking baskets, ladders, pruners, etc.), and update inventory as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.