Reference: P-12828

Description

This role is part of our WinField United business that provides crop inputs and insights to farmers through our network of independent ag retailers. Through our leadership expertise, high quality products, rich data and innovative ag technology, we strive to help the retailers and farmers they serve intelligently advance agriculture and help farmers win in every field around the world.

About the opportunity

Land O' Lakes operates research stations throughout North America. The Station Manager will be responsible for managing our Davis, CA research station.
Davis station is a dual crop station conducting alfalfa and corn silage varietal development research. Station management includes planning and oversight of facilities and research farming activities both open-field and greenhouse. Creation and management of budgets. Coordination of research resources (labor, equipment, supplies). The station manager will lead a team including a full-time farm manager and seasonal staff and provide leadership and mentoring of the team including operational safety and Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) management of biological materials including regulated materials.

Qualifications

Job responsibilities

• Facilities operations, maintenance, and security. Including building, greenhouses, marker laboratory, property-grounds, and farm-grounds (owned and leased).
• Plan and implement a facilities and research equipment maintenance schedule.
• Activity planning and coordination, including long-range forecasting, for facilities and farming including land management and research project land use. Coordination with alfalfa and corn researchers to ensure crop relevant scheduling. Inclusion of outside contractors/vendors in plan as needed.
• Track and oversee execution of planned activities. Provide guidance, support, and trouble-shooting to staff executing activities. This includes field, greenhouse, seed lab, and molecular lab work. Specific activities in these areas includes but is not limited to: sowing, vegetative propagation, transplanting, plant maintenance, fertigation, integrated pest management, tissue sampling, crossing, seed harvest, seed inventory, documentation, land-preparation and rotations, planting, plot maintenance, irrigation, pesticide application, forage quality sampling, data collection, field monitoring.
• Leadership of site support staff including recruiting, hiring, training, supervising direct reports and seasonal staff.
• Supervision and development of a farm operations direct report who will be responsible for executing field operations and equipment maintenance.
• In case of need execute farming activities, involving operation of equipment (ground preparation, fertilization, weed & pest control, irrigation, etc.)
• Coordinate with and oversee vendors as needed for services and capital projects. Supply purchasing as needed.
• Budget planning and operational budget management including bill payment and record retention.
• Ensure Davis Station compliance with all California and Land O' Lakes regulations and requirements.
• Oversee and coordinate training of site personnel in safety, business conduct, and excellence through stewardship biological material management. Coordinate site safety initiatives with Environmental Health and Safety colleagues.
• Contribute to site based continuous improvement initiatives. Provide support and guidance on site management topics to colleagues operating corn silage yield trials out of Visalia, CA.
• Coordinate field days, site tours, and demo plots.

Job qualification requirements

• 4-year degree in relevant management or research field
• Significant station management experience or equivalent responsibility
• General understanding of agricultural cultural practices (e.g. ground preparation, weed control, fertility management)
• General understanding of facilities, field, and lab equipment utilization and maintenance
• Excellent organizational, planning, and problem solving skills
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Computer proficiency (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite), ability to learn corporate specific software (e.g. Workday, Fieldglass, Etime)
• Capable of lifting 50 lbs
• Capable of operating farm and facilities equipment
• Capable of working a non-traditional work schedule based on seasonal and situation demands including extended hours and work week
• Ability to obtain and maintain a California driver's license
• Ability to obtain and maintain a California pesticide applicator's certification
• Ability to travel 5% of time. Travel within United States for training and within California in support of research activities.

Preferred qualifications

• Ability to speak Spanish 
• Experience managing agricultural facility with strong preference for managing agricultural research station
• Greenhouse management experience
• Experience growing alfalfa and/or corn with strong preference for conducting research in alfalfa and/or corn
• Experience with California agricultural practices and regulations

EOE
M/F/Vets/Disabled.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. enforces a policy of maintaining a drug-free workforce, including pre-employment substance abuse testing.

Apply Here:

http://www.Click2Apply.net/8sq66tkcpmgtnb3h PI101168475