Operations Support Manager

Summary:

Southern Hills Orchards is seeking an Operations Support Manager to manage the cleaning, drying, and processing facility during harvest and shipping seasons, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality operations. The position oversees all aspects of facility performance, including safety, food safety, product quality, operational efficiency, cost control, employee development, and customer satisfaction. Outside of the harvest season (about 6 months), the role supports night spray operations, ensuring timely and compliant fieldwork. The manager ensures full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including OSHA, GMP, GAP, and pesticide application standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop cleaning, drying, processing, and spray operations teams to meet safety, quality, and performance goals.
• Oversee hiring, training, performance management, and succession planning to build team capability.
• Manage facility operations during harvest/shipping, including hulling, drying, sorting, packing, and warehousing.
• Supervise night spray operations, ensuring safe and accurate Airblast and herbicide applications in compliance with DPR and EPA standards.
• Maintain and repair facility equipment to ensure operational readiness and minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA workplace safety standards, GMP protocols, GAP standards, GDA/EPA pesticide and fumigation regulations.
• Lead safety programs including training, observations, incident investigations, and job safety analyses.
• Monitor KPIs and analyze safety, quality, and operational trends to drive continuous improvement.
• Manage operational and capital budgets, including CapEx planning and vendor negotiations.
• Approve service contracts, work orders, and invoices, coordinate with Finance for budget alignment.
• Oversee scheduling, time approvals, and labor compliance across seasonal operations.
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC methodologies to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Support strategic initiatives such as facility expansion or process modernization.
• Maintain documentation for regulatory reporting, including pesticide use records, sanitation logs, and food safety audits.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field required. Master’s preferred.
• 3+ years in food processing, agricultural operations, or manufacturing environments.
• 1+ year of successful people management experience.
• Familiarity with OSHA standards for agricultural operations.
• Working knowledge of GMP under 21 CFR Part 117.
• Understanding of GAP audit protocols and standards.
• Experience with GDA/EPA pesticide application and fumigation compliance.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management and problem-solving.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, and process improvement tools.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and travel between sites.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Meet the physical requirements of the role which includes heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, and twisting throughout work period. Occasional long-term standing, sitting, and walking during work. Working outdoors in the elements.

AgReserves, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Qualified applicants must be legally and lawfully authorized to be employed and work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship - AgReserves, Inc. is not sponsoring visas at this time.

AgReserves offers medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance coverage. Additionally, employees can contribute to an FSA, and to an employer matched 401(K). Employees can apply for Tuition Assistance for continuing education purposes. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in a discretionary profit-sharing bonus. For more detailed information please visit our benefits site: www.agreserves.com/benefits . AgReserves, Inc. complies with the current state minimum wage laws for all positions, regardless of the pay ranges posted.

Additional Benefits may also include: Vehicle Allowance, Company Vehicle, Housing Allowance, Company Housing, Cell Phone Allowance, Company Cell Phone, Commuter Benefits, Relocation Assistance.