Farm General Manager

Hog Island Oyster Company Inc•Marshall, CA

2d•$95,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Marshall Farm General Manager oversees shellfish growing, harvesting, processing, and daily farm operations at Marshall. The role leads the farm team, manages production plans and budgets, and ensures safe, efficient operations that meet HIOC’s quality standards and regulatory requirements. The position reports to the Director of Farm Operations and directly supervises the Grow Manager, Harvest Manager, and Marshall Farm crew. The General Manager works with sales and senior management to set production goals and projections; plans and coordinates harvesting, growing, processing, staffing, and equipment; tracks results and adjusts plans; and maintains accurate inventory, production records, and performance indicators. The role oversees Marshall processing, including product received from Marshall and Humboldt, and coordinates transfers and processing schedules with the Humboldt Farm team. The position implements food safety and regulatory procedures in partnership with QA and the Director of Farm Operations, including HACCP, the Vibrio Control Plan, shellfish tagging and traceability, and wet storage requirements. It coordinates approved improvements, research trials, capital projects, and infrastructure work; ensures equipment and resources are available; and leads safety practices and continuous improvement. The General Manager develops and manages the annual farm budget, reviews monthly results, and takes corrective action as needed. The role develops and supports managers and crews through scheduling, onboarding, training, performance reviews, and hiring recommendations, while promoting a safe, respectful, and collaborative work environment. The schedule varies with tides, weather, seasonal production, and operational needs, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Occasional backup coverage as a boat captain or truck driver may be required within applicable training and authorization.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience supervising teams and managing shellfish farming, processing, or comparable production operations.
Working knowledge of Tomales Bay, boat operations, navigation, and tide information.
Proficiency in shellfish growing techniques, sizing, and quality standards.
Ability to safely operate sorting equipment, forklift, and skid steer.
Experience managing shellfish processing operations, including throughput, inventory, and cold chain.
Experience with farm management software and inventory systems, including BlueTrace.
Ability to develop and manage budgets and production plans.
Working knowledge of desktop applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Deep understanding of HACCP and farm regulatory compliance, including the Vibrio Control Plan, rainfall closures, time-temperature matrices, and shellfish tagging and traceability.
Experience with boats, trucks, skid steer, and forklift.
Swim Certification.
CPR/First Aid Certification.
Punctuality, a good attendance record, and reliable means of transportation to work.
Availability for a variable schedule based on tides, weather, seasonal production needs, and operational demands, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Ability to regularly stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms for up to 10 hours per day; regularly talk and hear for up to 10 hours per day; regularly enter and exit forklifts, boats, trucks, and skid steer; regularly wade to shore or out to a boat; occasionally swim to shore or a boat; operate boats and vehicles in varying weather conditions within established safety limits; and repeatedly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds safely.

Nice To Haves

Spanish communication skills.

Responsibilities

Work with sales and senior management to develop annual, quarterly, and weekly production goals and projections.
Create quarterly and weekly plans for harvesting, growing, processing, personnel, and equipment, and ensure execution of weekly harvest and grow-out plans.
Track production against goals and projections, communicate gaps, and adjust plans as needed.
Develop and implement team performance indicators, and ensure deviations are understood, communicated, and corrected.
Communicate daily updates to sales and planning teams, including inventory and storage-log updates.
Plan staffing and farm activities around tides, weather, and safe operating windows.
Oversee Marshall processing operations, including shellfish received from Marshall and Humboldt, and coordinate transfers, receiving, and processing schedules with the Humboldt Farm team.
Ensure safe product handling and execution of employee and food safety procedures.
Implement and monitor food safety and regulatory requirements with QA and the Director of Farm Operations, including HACCP, the Vibrio Control Plan, shellfish tagging and traceability, and wet storage requirements.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date Marshall Farm BlueTrace inventory and ensure all farm activity is entered into Farm Management Software.
Audit software and tracking sheets to ensure data is accurate and complete.
Implement approved improvements to growing methods and support approved studies and trials with the science and operations teams.
Lead process improvement across growing, harvest, and processing operations.
Coordinate approved capital investments and infrastructure projects at Marshall Farm, including oyster lease and land-based projects.
Work with maintenance to keep equipment in good working order and ensure the team has the equipment, tools, training, and resources needed.
Ensure crew safety, including safety training, PPE, safe work practices, regular safety meetings and inspections, and timely reporting, investigation, and correction of incidents and near misses.
Ensure operations protect wildlife, prevent debris and pollution, and respect other bay users.
Develop the annual Marshall Farm budget with the Director of Farm Operations, manage operations to budget targets, review monthly results, explain variances, and take corrective action.
Submit expense reports promptly and accurately.
Provide a safe and respectful work environment; address production and employee issues and reinforce compliance, best practices, SOPs, and company policies.
Supervise and develop the Grow Manager and Harvest Manager, provide overall farm-team leadership, and oversee scheduling, onboarding, training, and performance reviews through those managers.
Address performance and conduct concerns and participate in hiring and make recommendations regarding hiring, promotion, discipline, and termination in coordination with the Director of Farm Operations and DOP.
Promote a positive, collaborative work environment consistent with HIOC’s values.
Provide occasional backup coverage as boat captain or truck driver within the scope of required training, company authorization, and applicable licenses or certifications.
Perform other duties as assigned.