Director, Growing & Harvesting Operations

• On-site
• $150000 - $160000

Job Description

• Department: AgOps
• Reports to: VP of AgOps
• Location: Salinas

Make a greater impact at Bonduelle Americas!

Bonduelle Americas is a certified B Corp inviting people to embrace a flexitarian lifestyle with an expanding portfolio of plant-rich products available in and beyond the produce aisle. We operate four facilities and employ nearly 3000 Associates in the US.

Bonduelle Americas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Groupe Bonduelle () an established global brand with more than 170 years of family heritage bringing the joy of plants to tables around the world. Globally our ready-to-eat plant-rich food products are grown on 173000 acres by our grower partners and marketed in nearly 100 countries. Our mission is to inspire the transition toward a plant-rich diet to contribute to peoples well-being and planet health.

Join us at Bonduelle Americas for an opportunity to advance your career in a culture that places people first. As a valued member of our company you will work in a mission-driven environment aimed at preserving the planets resources while providing healthy plant-based products to millions of consumers around the world.

Position Summary:

The Director of Growing & Harvesting Operations oversees all end-to-end activities crop production harvesting and inbound raw-material logistics across all regions. This role leads raw product supply contract negotiations ensuring full adherence to pound and acre supply agreements with a focus on cost management and ensuring product quality. The Director of Growing & Harvesting Operations is responsible for driving field execution across iceberg romaine brassica and mixed-leaf cropsproviding accurate supply estimates mitigating quality and food-safety risks and ensuring operational readiness across Santa Maria Salinas Yuma and other regions. The role partners closely with sourcing and operations teams to identify solutions for supply gaps and maintain disciplined budget performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Growing & Harvesting Oversight
  Direct production and harvesting operations across multi-region locations (e.g. Santa Maria Salinas Yuma).
  Provide accurate and timely supply estimates and field availability updates for all major crop types (iceberg romaine brassica and mixed-leaf).
  Ensure raw product meets quality food safety and customer specifications.
  Contract Negotiation & Compliance
  Lead contract negotiations with grower partners and vendors across all production regions.
  Ensure adherence to pound and acre agreements for internal production and outside purchases.
  Monitor contract performance escalate compliance gaps and resolve contractual issues as needed.
  Cost & Budget Management
  Own harvesting cost performance including labor equipment and logistics.
  Maintain strict budget discipline and identify opportunities for cost efficiencies.
  Partner with finance to create accurate seasonal and annual harvest budgets.
  Field Quality Risk Mitigation & Food Safety
  Proactively mitigate field-level quality challenges (weather impacts pest pressure yield variability).
  Ensure harvesting operations meet all company and regulatory food-safety requirements.
  Implement corrective actions when field deviations or quality risks occur.
  Cross-Functional & Supply Alignment
  Partner with sourcing raw-material planning and supply planning teams to ensure supply meets demand.
  Coordinate sourcing solutions when supply gaps occur including outside purchases.
  Communicate real-time field updates to internal stakeholders for planning and ensuring customer service.
  Leadership & Team Development
  Lead coach and develop production and harvesting teams.
  Promote continuous improvement across field operations logistics and quality management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10 years of experience in growing operations harvesting management agricultural supply chain or fresh produce leadership.
  Deep knowledge of crop cycles yield forecasting field operations and quality management.
  Proven experience negotiating agricultural contracts and managing vendor/grower relationships.
  Strong understanding of perishable supply chains and inbound raw-material logistics.
  Demonstrated success managing large field teams across multiple regions.
  Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and cost-control initiatives.
  Bachelors degree in Agriculture Agronomy Plant Science Ag Business Supply Chain or equivalent experience; Masters preferred.
  Ability to travel frequently across growing regions.

Required Experience:

Director