The Wash Pack Manager is a dynamic and fast-paced position at the heart of the farm. Playing an essential role in the post-harvest process, this team member links the farm and harvest with our onsite retail market, kitchen, 350+ family CSA, and wholesale accounts. The ideal candidate should possess a high level of organization skills, attention to detail, a positive attitude and the ability to multitask. This position will supervise Farm Apprentices and Market Associates assigned to their station.
Participate in meetings with other managers (market produce manager, field manager, etc.) to identify process or quality problems/challenges and find solutions
Communicate with the market produce manager to discuss any special notes about that day’s harvest/processing, including urgent out of stocks, high-priority processing, or cooler/storage overstock or culling needs. Relay any pertinent information to the field manager and/or harvest teams
Coordinate labor as needed with produce manager and field/harvest managers
Overseeing up to five wash station crew members and a farm apprentice daily
Coach, train, and motivate team to perform up to Amber Waves standards and work towards common objectives; serve as a role model to others instilling a positive attitude in team members
Wash/Pack Processing
Oversee assembly (wash, pack, gather) of complete and correct orders for all of our distribution outlets: wholesale, kitchen, Amber Market, CSA, food pantry, events, etc.
Manage inventory through daily communication with farm regarding order status, and changing availability
Prepare orders for delivery or pickup, ensuring timely and efficient fulfillment.
Fulfill grains orders for all of our distribution outlets (wholesale, kitchen, Amber Market, CSA, special events, etc.)
Food Safety
Maintain sanitation standards of processing and storage areas to ensure cleanliness and good organization (coolers, wash station, packing line, dry storage)
Be able to follow, teach, and update if necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to comply with FSMA regulations
Be familiar with proper produce safety and handling guidelines to ensure our packing and storage processes promote extended shelf-life and freshness
Cooler & Backstock Oversight
Organize items in the cooler/freezer, rotating FIFO (first in, first out) as needed. Track expiration dates
Ensure the cooler stays organized and tidy via sweeping, mopping, and record keeping
Weekly cooler cleanouts including organizing, consolidating, and culling old produce
Conduct daily inventory and communicate shortages/needs to fulfill orders
Receiving/Deliveries
Receive, inspect, and check-in incoming shipments of produce, supplies, and other goods from distributors, verifying accuracy and quality
Manage all team package deliveries, either notify appropriate person or deliver package in a timely manner
Workspace
Delegate bins washing/sanitizing and oversee organization of dirty and clean bins pallets
Oversee cleaning and weekly sanitizing of surfaces, wash tubs, bins, knives, etc in wash station
Keep drop tent and loading dock area clear, clean, and organized
Previous farming, retail produce or wash/pack experience is preferred but not required.
Have knowledge of or interest in produce, cooking, food systems and/or local agriculture
Experience in a management role is preferred
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Must have strong communication skills and the ability to delegate tasks
Able to multitask in a fast paced environment
Excellent time management and strong sense of pace and urgency associated with task completion
This position requires communication in English, both verbally and written. Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates are encouraged to apply.
This is a physically demanding position which requires: standing/walking for long periods of time over uneven surfaces; exposure to heat, cold, or wet environments, working in and outdoors with exposure to the elements, repetitive motion such as lifting, kneeling, or bending; and carrying up to 50lbs at a time, with or without assistance.
