Agronomist - El Campo, TX

RiceTec, Inc.; Louise (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

RiceTec, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager to lead field crop programs and supervise crop processing facilities in Louise, TX. You will drive agronomy strategies to meet yield and quality targets while overseeing drying, storage, and packaging operations.

This role requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to manage budgets and safety programs, with experience in SAP/Microsoft tools and GIS applications.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in an agricultural field; related experience may be considered.
• Rice production experience preferred with potential CCA certification.
• Strong leadership and analytical problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee field crop agronomy to achieve yield and quality targets.
• Manage drying, storage, cleaning, treating, packaging, and warehousing operations.
• Lead safety programs and training for staff.
• Ensure tasks meet production protocols and ISO instructions.
• Train and mentor Technologists and seasonal staff.
• Collect and record accurate operation data and generate timely reports.
• Drive process improvements to increase yield, quality, and reduce costs.
• Manage local budget and headcount, monitoring OT and expenses.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

B.S. in Agriculture or related field

CCA status (preferred)

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

GPS/GIS

Job description

• Manage crop in assigned areas to achieve and exceed yield and quality targets. Give attention to field crop agronomy to foresee potential issues and manage and mitigate those impacts. Utilize leading edge IPM practices to optimize results for cost, quality and yield.
• Manage plant operations for drying, storage, cleaning, treating, packaging, and warehousing at location. May include managing some outside operations and tollers.
• Lead safety efforts for all assigned areas and sites, ensure all training is completed for all staffing, and administer programs as directed by manager.
• Accomplish all tasks on time, with high level of detail and in accordance with protocols (example, contracting, planting, mowing, GA, fungicides, helicoptering, harvest, routing, and data entry).
• Train and monitor Technologists and seasonal employees for safe and proper operation on all equipment and processes, then mentor and validate each employee’s capability in all.
• Ensure all processes are completed following published production protocols and ISO instructions all operations. All operations and information documented as required.
• Ensure team collects accurate data for all operations and it is entered in time. Utilize reports to aide in planning and scheduling field/plant activities.
• Support continuous improvement through involvement in the Process Improvement initiatives, seek creative and original ways to improve yields, quality, and costs.
• Manage local budgets and monitor spends to budget and act accordingly to management directives and other cost savings measures. Closely manage OT of all hourly employees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Successful candidate will also possess:

• Proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Office, SharePoint.
• Superior agronomy skills to complete crop production.
• Expert skills to operate seed plants and optimize bulk to finished product conversion.
• Mechanical aptitude to work with field/plant equipment.
• Strong analytical approach to work.
• GPS/GIS applications skills and developing statistical capability.
• Creative thinker for new and forward looking solutions.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Results/detail orientation and the ability to work with a sense of urgency.
• Developing people leadership skills (motivating, mentoring, building teams).
• Strong written and oral communication skills, ability to present and convince/direct with diplomacy.
• Can manage and navigate conflicts with growers and employees to sound solutions.
• Strong team work/networking skills to work across multiple groups of people.
• Demonstrated decision making skills.
• Highly effective resources management, time management, and well organized.

Scope of role:

• Annual crop volume for a location/area: 1-5K acres, FPL-SPL an entire location/site.
• Annual budget ~$0.5M to ~$2.5M, 10K to 100K sales acres of product.

Education:

• B.S. degree, preferably in an agricultural field of study.
• Previous experience with growing crops, rice preferred, ability to obtain a CCA status.

Expected to perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and physical requirements of this role with or without reasonable accommodation within the described work environment.

• Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking level and unleveled surfaces for periodic periods throughout the day including flooded rice fields. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. Must be able to lift 50-pound bag of seed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work and training locations may include office and warehouse environments. May also include dry, muddy, or flooded fields, and other outside environmental situations including extreme heat/cold, rainy or sunny conditions.

RiceTec, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.