Assistant Farm Manager

Gold Leaf Farming • Oakdale, CA

1d • $70,000 - $95,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Farm Manager supports the Farm Manager with day-to-day operations across an assigned portfolio of farms, including irrigation, equipment operations, repairs, and maintenance. The role also helps direct and oversee farm teams, combines agronomic knowledge with data analysis and operational planning, and supports improvements to operational efficiency, cost monitoring, production analysis, and data-driven decision-making. It is a development role intended to prepare the employee for a career path toward becoming a Farm Manager, with responsibility growing over time toward independently managing ranch operations.

The position is based in the Modesto, Stockton, or Turlock area and is on-site, with time divided between office-based analysis and field visits. The role supports approximately 2,000 acres of almond farms in Sacramento and Modesto, requires weekly travel to Sacramento, and includes regular visits to ranches throughout the region.

Initially, time is allocated approximately 65% to day-to-day farm management, 20% to leading and managing farm teams, and 15% to supporting farm-level agronomic strategy. The role oversees safe farm operations and regulatory compliance, executes irrigation schedules and agronomy tasks, monitors crop and equipment conditions, supports budgets and labor procurement, maintains and analyzes farm data, prepares management reports, coaches team members, and assists with agronomic planning, experimentation, and adoption of new agricultural technology.

Gold Leaf describes its culture through ownership, candid communication, putting family first, and leading by example. The company states that it grants equity to every team member and offers a target annual salary of $70,000–$95,000, plus company equity, potential performance-related bonus compensation, and an employer-sponsored benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agricultural sciences, agribusiness, or a related field.
• 2 to 5 years of relevant experience.
• Strong passion for leading and developing teams, with genuine care for people.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience with Google Suite, Word, analytics tools such as Power BI, and other professional software programs.
• Clear interest in growing into a leadership role.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a related field, with permanent crops, or as a senior farm operator; preferred but not required.
• Private applicator license; preferred but not required.
• Fluency in Spanish; highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of all properties in the assigned farm portfolio.
• Verify safe farm operations, including completion and documentation of required chemical and equipment training before tasks are performed.
• Verify compliance with local, state, and federal safety and operational requirements.
• Walk farms regularly, monitor crop condition and quality, troubleshoot day-to-day issues, and support the Farm Manager in determining when budget deviations are necessary.
• Visit ranches to verify operational data, investigate issues, and support ranch operations teams.
• Support the Farm Manager with budget tracking, planning, forecasting, and labor procurement when necessary.
• Execute irrigation schedules and agronomy playbook tasks.
• Ensure effective equipment operation, timely repairs, preventative maintenance, and upkeep of equipment and structures.
• Monitor risks such as weather and pests, act proactively to mitigate potential crop impacts, and promptly communicate yield-related issues to leadership.
• Consolidate and maintain operational records across ranches; analyze production and cost data, including cost per acre; and prepare management reports on operational efficiency, costs, and production.
• Build working relationships with foremen and field operators and support accountability for the proper and timely completion of tasks.
• Participate in monthly farm-team meetings to share company and farm updates and receive feedback; partner with the Farm Manager to consider and act on feedback in a timely manner.
• Coach team members, remove roadblocks, support timely and accurate performance, and provide positive and developmental feedback.
• Contribute feedback to quarterly team performance evaluations and uphold and improve the company’s culture and values at all farms.
• Investigate personnel issues, identify solutions, and recommend action when necessary, treating employees respectfully throughout the process.
• Partner with the Farm Manager to execute farm agronomic strategies, optimize field-asset output, and course-correct when necessary.
• Support planning and execution of experiments aimed at profitability and strong yields.
• Support trials of new agricultural technology and its potential adoption.
• Help plan for long-term farm sustainability and optimize practices where possible.
• Gradually assume responsibility for agricultural planning and operations, working toward independently managing ranch operations.

Benefits

• Company equity, stated to be granted to every team member.
• Potential performance-related bonus compensation.
• Employer-sponsored benefits package.
• Fair compensation and an employment experience described as differentiated for agriculture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level