Harvest Lead

Reports To:

Farm General Manager & Director of Farm Operations

Level:

Mua

Organization:

MAʻO Organic Farms (MAʻO), located in Lualualei Valley, Waiʻanae, is a social enterprise of the Waiʻanae Community Re-Development Corporation (WCRC), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Established in 2000, MAʻO grows organic food and new leaders for a sustainable Hawaiʻi. For the first 18-years in operation MAʻO managed 24-acres of certified organic land, now we've grown to 280-acres in Lualualei Valley. This new ʻāina presents a huge kuleana - to manage land and water with aloha, and to radically increase the production of nutritious local organic food, while empowering a new generation of leaders to serve Hawaiʻi nei.

Job Summary:

The Harvest Lead, working in collaboration with the Director of Farm Operations and Farm General Manager, is responsible for day-to-day farm harvest management of certified organic vegetables and fruits at our various farm sites, and transportation to our wash-pack facility.

Detailed Responsibilities:

Implements and improves the MAʻO harvest system;

Plans, coordinates and supervises daily harvest operations to maximize diversity and optimize resource utilization;

Manages a harvest team of Mahiʻai, interns, employees, and volunteers including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management. Provides guidance and support to farm staff to ensure efficient and safe operations;

Maintains food safety standards and quality guidelines required by MAʻO's co-producers, and by food safety standards of GAAP, HACCP and USDA organic certification.

Supports all areas of people/document management such as training, corrective actions, attendance for GAAP, HACCP, USDA Organic Certification.

Manages the maintenance and sanitation of the harvest vehicles, equipment and tools, and adjacent areas of the fields.

Communicates and works-with colleagues to ensure the harvest operations are aligned with planting, seasonality and customer demand/availability.

Collaborates with our Farm General Manager and Sales & Distribution Lead(s) to maximize sales by communicating accurate inventory availability and variances in a timely manner.

In collaboration with MAʻO's farm management team:

Works to grow production eight-fold over the next 5-years.

Expands our product line and works with team arranging farm visits for co-producer groups

Facilitates the evolution of, enhances the brand, and generally promotes, MA`O's certified organic fruits and vegetables, and youth/community development programs across all wholesale and retail co-producer, this might include posting to social media

Supports management of the CSA program and Farmer's Markets, adds new products, facilitates the CSA membership's connection to the farm and the diversity of products, answers member questions, works with apprentices and interns to ensure high quality boxes, and markets

Experience Required:

We're looking for a person with the desire to lead and learn at the same time. The successful candidate will need a 110% commitment to producing/purveying the best local organic food imaginable, be a team player, an excellent communicator with a strong desire to grow the production of local organic food. The candidate will need to motivate/inspire young adults in a hands-on organic farm environment, where an attention to detail and accuracy is critical. A good sense of humor, and a love of good fresh food will really help.

Minimum experience we're looking for includes:

Associate degree in Agricultural Science, Horticulture, Botany, Environmental Science, Sustainable Community Food Systems, Engineering, Community Development, or a related field;

At least 5-years' experience in organic agriculture, with emphasis in management and production agriculture;

Additional experience in fresh food processing, engineering, sustainable community development, or related fields;

Knowledge of a wide range of fruits and vegetables - organic growing practices, harvest & handling techniques, and cultural and culinary uses;

Sense of independence, and tested communication and people management skills, with experience hiring, training, inspiring and evaluating performance;

Ability to think clearly and make quick decisions in a fast-paced environment;

Attention to detail especially as it relates to maintaining organic certification and upholding food safety food production;

Knowledge of and/or interest in Hawaiian cultural traditions with a commitment to the Hawai`i's rural communities and the Leeward Oʻahu region;

Driver's license with a responsible driving history, proficient in operating heavy trucks, equipment, and trailers (under 16,000 GVW). Ability to work in outdoor environments and able to lift up to 50 pounds;

Proficiency in working with computers, especially Google Workspace, Slack and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science, Horticulture, Botany, Environmental Science, Sustainable Community Food Systems, Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field.

Compensation:

Annual salary range is $58,698 to $68,041.

Medical, dental and vision insurance.

Employer sponsored 401k with a discretionary employer match.

Paid sick, vacation and holiday time off.

Community Supported Agriculture weekly subscription box with fresh fruits and veggies.