Director, Eastern Farming Operations

Location - Atlantic Canada

Cavendish Farms is a leading producer of frozen food products for retail and foodservice markets throughout Canada, the United States, and around the world. We have state-of-the-art potato processing plants in Prince Edward Island; Lethbridge, Alberta; and Jamestown, North Dakota; and an appetizer plant in Wheatley, Ontario. Our Head office is in Dieppe, New Brunswick with sales office locations in Toronto, Montreal, and Boston.

The farming division of Cavendish Farms includes sites that produce potatoes for processing plants in Prince Edward Island and Jamestown, North Dakota.  The Cavendish Farms Research Centre breeds and develops new varieties of potatoes for a changing environment.  There are also sites in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia where seed potatoes are grown for both internal and external customers.

Role description 

The Director, Eastern Operations provides leadership and oversees all farming operations across our Eastern operations, which spans New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This position reports directly to the  Vice President, Farming Operations and oversees a farming staff of up  to  100 employees during planting and harvest seasons.

Key Responsibilities:

•    Participate in annual budget process to arrive at margin and revenue targets based on projected cost and availability of raw product.  Establish benchmarks and minimize over or under usage of resources and ensuring budget adherence across the farming operations.  Present and defend final budget to Owner.

•  Work with Farm Managers and Senior Leaders to plan, develop strategies, investigate future options and opportunities, and address challenges and manages performance of Company farms. 

•    Travel within North America to participate in oversight of farms operations,  Visits include maintaining and strengthen relationships, as well as to maintain an in-depth, first-hand knowledge of the business’ standing.

•     Attend trade shows as required

•     Participate in developing the Company Strategy and ensuring execution

•     Daily operation brief for farm managers

•    Administrative (maintaining email) and people management duties: Includes providing direction to operational team as required, following up on outstanding matters, regular communication with suppliers, and responding to general inquiries

•    Attend meetings on topics related to Farming operations in order to provide input and identify concerns. In addition, assist with farm-related special projects.

•    Continuous Improvement for farming operations and constantly seeking and implementing new and improved ways to conduct farming operations.

Qualifications:

·         Minimum of 15 years’ experience managing a large operation and being fully responsible for a business unit or entity, including the supervision and management of a team

·         Post Secondary degree is required, discipline in agriculture highly preferred

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with teams and executive management
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills, with a strong focus on program improvement
• Negotiation and business skills is a must
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and motivate teams in a highly complex business environment
• Proven experience managing change successfully in the agriculture industry

Cavendish Farms is proud to offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• A flexible health, drug, dental, and vision plan

• Employee Assistance Programs

• Health & wellness reimbursements, includes gym memberships, fitness classes or online workout programs

• Maternity leave top-up program (if applicable)

• RRSP matching program

• Opportunities to take part in job related training and development as well as 24/7 access to online curated learning   

• Growth and progression opportunities within Cavendish Farms and the larger network of the JD Irving group of companies 

To Apply for this Career Opportunity:
Please apply online and attach a resume.

We appreciate your interest in our company! Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted on an as
needed basis.

To learn more about our products and services, click here

Cavendish Farms Corporation is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment practices and to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment for all employees.