This position oversees all aspects of harvest estimates and sales coordination, ensuring smooth communication between U.S. headquarters and regional field operations primarily in Mexico. This role ensures compliance with regulatory standards, supports logistics for timely crop harvesting, and collaborates with growers to optimize crop quality and yield. The liaison serves as the primary contact between U.S. and Mexico teams, ensuring seamless cross-border operations and adherence to production goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary point of contact between U.S. management and Mexico-based farm teams, facilitating clear and consistent communication.
- Manage assigned commodities to ensure production and shipment of high-quality products at the lowest cost per unit.
- Prepare or collect daily estimates and four-week volume projections input to KipTraq.
- Collaborate with harvest companies and contract external services during peak periods.
- Monitor outside growers for quality control and adherence to food safety standards.
- Prepare regular reports and summaries of crop varieties & yields.
- Oversee daily harvest operations in Mexico, including scheduling and execution of plantings.
- Inform USA operations of transportation of harvested products from Mexico to U.S. distribution centers, ensuring compliance with customs and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with Mexico-based farm managers and U.S. operations to meet production and quality standards
- Ensure harvest activities align with production schedules and market demand.
- Implement quality assurance protocols to ensure compliance with food safety standards in fields and packing sheds.
- Conduct regular field visits to inspect crop quality and address harvest issues related to harvest methods.
- Provide regular updates on harvest progress, challenges, and forecasts to U.S. operations team.
- Act as a liaison for resolving any disputes, delays, or issues that may arise between Mexico and U.S. operations.
- Travel frequently at least once a week to locations during the growing seasons and as requested.
- Periodically may be requested to support other U.S. growing regions with farm or harvest managers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Ag related field preferred. 3-5 years of experience as a harvest supervisor or similar experience with at least three years of employee management experience.
- Requires continuing education and training in management, product quality, employee and food safety, and other job-related areas/topics.
- Extended travel is required to support growing operations.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (reading, writing, and speaking).
- Valid California Class C driver’s license, passport required for internal travel.
- Working knowledge of computers and software programs such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
- Must be able to work under minimal supervision.
- This position requires that the incumbent work Monday through Saturday, including some Sundays and holidays.
- Must be able to manage a project from its initiation to completion with minimal supervision.
- Must be able to maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with fellow employees, supervisor(s), growers, quality assurance, and sales.
- Effectively maintain professional relationships and a balance outlook during stressful times.
- Must be able to analyze a situation, interpret all facts, and decide based on all available information.
- Ability to quickly learn new tasks and responsibilities with minimal repetition.
- Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
