Farm Operations Manager

Blake's Orchard Full-Time•Armada, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill has spent nearly 80 years growing something special — and we're not just talking about apples. Across 800 acres in Armada, Michigan, we grow up to 35 specialty crops, host millions of guests each year, and operate one of the most dynamic U-Pick destinations in the Midwest. Rooted in strong family traditions and a commitment to excellence, we've built a farm that's as much about the experience as the harvest. We're looking for a Farm Operations Manager who knows the land, understands the numbers, and takes real pride in putting quality produce in people's hands — whether that's a bushel of apples headed to a wholesale buyer or a pumpkin picked by a kid on a Saturday afternoon. This is a hands-on leadership role working directly alongside our current Farm Operations Manager. You'll have your fingerprints on everything from crop harvest and packing barn operations to U-Pick customer experience and wholesale distribution. If you're a Michigan grower with a systems mindset, a passion for produce quality, and the drive to help a third-generation family farm keep raising the bar — we want to hear from you.

Requirements

5+ years of farm experience, with demonstrated progression into leadership
Hands-on knowledge of produce handling, grading, and/or sales
Proven ability to lead crews and manage people with respect and clarity
Strong systems thinking — you track what matters, document what counts, and budget with discipline
Comfortable with technology: Microsoft Office proficiency required; interest in farm tech a plus
A problem-solver who stays calm when the weather doesn't cooperate and the harvest can't wait
Self-directed and motivated — you don't need someone looking over your shoulder to get things done right
A communicator who works well across a team, from field crews to wholesale buyers
Valid Michigan driver's license required
High school diploma or equivalent required

Responsibilities

Partner day-to-day with the current Farm Operations Manager to keep a complex, multi-crop operation running at its best
Assist with growing high-quality produce across our full crop rotation — apples, pumpkins, sweet corn, and beyond
Oversee packing barn operations: grading, packing, and distributing harvested produce to our retail stores and wholesale accounts
Maintain strict quality standards on all outgoing product
Manage produce inventory and packaging materials with accuracy
Assist with produce purchasing from market when needed
Oversee all farm revenue channels: U-Pick, on-farm retail, and wholesale
Build and track revenue reports across incoming sales streams
Develop and execute strategy for tree sales — both Christmas trees and landscape trees
Bring creative thinking to U-Pick pricing, signage, and customer flow to drive on-farm revenue
Direct harvest crews to meet daily pick targets
Lead a team of 3–4 in grading and packing operations
Build and follow yearly department budgets
Maintain thorough documentation: sales records, harvest logs, and product transfers
Own the U-Pick customer experience from end to end — signage, pricing, service standards
Support execution of our signature farm events: Blake's in Bloom, Lavender Fest, Sunflower & Pickle Festival, and Christmas tree sales season