Manager, Agronomy Sr.

Reiter Affiliated • Oxnard, CA

73d • $122,000 - $153,000

About The Position

The position involves overseeing regional agronomy responsibilities, focusing on day-to-day growing management, compliance with agricultural standards, production collaboration, strategic initiatives, agronomy team development, validation and innovation, and outreach and knowledge transfer. The role requires a hands-on approach to support agronomists in field activities, ensure compliance with safety and labor laws, and collaborate with various teams to enhance agronomic practices. The candidate will also lead field trials, develop educational materials, and engage with internal and external resources to advance knowledge and practices in agronomy.

Requirements

• Expertise in berry crop management and sustainable practices.
• Strong diagnostic and analytical thinking.
• Field trial design and statistical interpretation.
• Substrate/soil drip irrigation, biostimulation, plant nutrition chemistry, biocontrols and pesticides.
• Demonstrate a sound and thorough understanding of agronomic principles and its application of scientific methods.
• Plan and conduct work requiring judgment and the independent evaluation, selection, modification, and application of standard procedures and techniques.
• Solve unusual and complex problems.
• Demonstrate outstanding stewardship and relationship building/management/interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate excellent managerial and financial skills in crop budgeting and planning.
• Demonstrate a high level of organizational and time management skills.
• Manage and/or supervise and coordinate the activities of other staff.
• Communicate effectively (verbal and written) in English and Spanish.
• Test and interpret soil chemistry for pH and EC and how to correct balances.
• Perform statistical analysis on a computer.
• Juggle competing priorities and changing expectations.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, create new and unique ideas.

Nice To Haves

• PCA, CCA or similar certification/license.
• Experience in leading a team of 2 or more.

Responsibilities

• Guide and support regional agronomist with hands-on field activities: irrigation systems design, fertility programs, pest and disease management protocols, pruning practices and harvesting optimization.
• Work with Harvest, Operations (non-harvest) and Production Services to ensure alignment and efficiency in agronomic practices.
• Support the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices (e.g. cover crops, composting, soil biology and bio controls).
• Lead field diagnosis and problem solving using structured root cause analysis.
• Ensure all agronomic decisions are based on crop data, field observations, and environmental factors.
• Analyze trial data and create clear, actionable reports to operations.
• Comply with all labor laws, prime audits or food safety, company policy, and workers' safety.
• Work with Driscoll's pathology in developing Reiter's organic program.
• Meet with district managers biweekly to ensure alignment with district needs.
• Participate in district production meetings at least once a quarter.
• Assist local production teams on agronomic planning.
• Ensure the agronomy team is embedded with local production teams, creating a strong alignment and sense of One Team.
• Work with the Agronomy Technical Lead and Agronomy Strategy Lead to prioritize projects and district land regional levels.
• Determine and manage how growth medium responds to scientific management techniques, thereby implementing it based on the results.
• Apply agricultural data and information into trends, reportable, actionable, and sustainable methods.
• Set up field trials and execute field trials as required for Agrodata projects or other agronomic practices.
• Collaborate with Driscoll's agronomist as required to enhance the agronomy program.
• Install, maintain, and evaluate horticultural trials. Report results and drive adoption.
• Develop acreage study standards for management to support expansion of agronomy model farming.
• Ensure succession plans for the district agronomy team.
• Create a plan for developing out the team so that team members have a path forward to ensure retention in the agronomy department.
• Collaborate with the agronomy technical lead to provide educational material and presentations to the agronomy team to enhance skills.
• Create accountability with the local agronomy teams in supporting production.
• Lead field trials and evaluations for new products, technologies, inputs and tools.
• Develop protocols and methodology to assess efficacy, sustainability, and ROI of new products and tools.
• Collaborate with Driscolls R&D teams and external partners for innovation scouting and product pipeline evaluation.
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations for production teams.
• Provide technical reports and presentations to stakeholders for decision making.
• Learn and implement the latest and best current production practices from within the RAC organization, as well as from university and other outside industry resources.
• Engage all internal and external resources including universities, substrate grower peers, and the DSA and RAC knowledge networks.
• Work with Driscoll's in advancing the use of technology and scientific plant development.

Benefits

• Salary range: $122,000 to $153,000.
• Ability to travel 10-20 percent of the time - domestic and international.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees