Agricultural Orchard Manager

Produce Careers•Bakersfield, CA

About The Position

An established agriculture company is seeking an Agricultural Orchard Manager for a newly created position managing several hundred acres of farming operations. The role coordinates labor, irrigation, crop production activities, equipment, and field resources to support safe, efficient, and profitable operations. The Orchard Manager acts as the primary link between Farm Management and field operations, ensuring production goals, quality standards, labor efficiency, and regulatory compliance are consistently achieved. The manager serves as the company representative and liaison with the contracted farm management organization and directly supervises Crew Bosses across multiple ranches. Responsibilities include leading, coaching, training, and performance-managing employees; visiting fields to monitor work quality and productivity; assisting with hiring and employee development; and fostering accountability, teamwork, and strong working relationships. The role has direct oversight of ranch operations, labor management, irrigation and agronomy coordination, equipment coordination, production management, records management, and communications.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least five years of commercial farming experience.
At least three years supervising agricultural employees.
Valid California Driver License.
Knowledge of commercial orchard management, labor planning and workforce management, piece-rate operations, California agricultural labor laws, crop production, and irrigation management.
Leadership and coaching skills, conflict resolution, budget awareness, and problem-solving skills.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office and electronic payroll and labor systems.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Pomology, Plant Science, or a related field.
Experience managing multiple crews and ranches.
Strong knowledge of California tree fruit farming practices.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary company representative and liaison with the contracted farm management organization to ensure operational alignment, effective communication, and successful execution of farming activities.
Directly supervise Crew Bosses assigned to multiple ranches.
Provide leadership, coaching, training, and performance management.
Conduct regular field visits to monitor work quality and productivity.
Assist with interviewing, hiring, onboarding, discipline, and employee development.
Build strong working relationships while promoting accountability and teamwork.
Oversee ranch operations, labor management, irrigation coordination, agronomy coordination, equipment coordination, production management, records management, and communications.
Coordinate labor, irrigation, crop production activities, equipment, and field resources to support safe, efficient, and profitable farming operations.
Ensure production goals, quality standards, labor efficiency, and regulatory compliance are consistently achieved.