Assistant Farm Manager

De Lacy Executive Recruitment North America; Florida Ridge (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

De Lacy Executive Recruitment North America seeks an Assistant Farm Manager for a fast-paced Florida sod production operation. You will oversee day-to-day production, agronomy, irrigation, fertility, and field expansion while leading a growing farm team.

The role requires hands-on leadership, agronomic expertise in turfgrass, and a proactive approach to maintaining top-quality sod. This outdoor position offers growth into a Farm Manager role at a new Florida location.

Qualifications

• Hands-on agronomic professional with turfgrass background.
• Knowledge of soil health, fertility, irrigation, pests, weeds, and turfgrass disease.
• Ability to interpret soil samples and implement fertility programs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to sod quality.
• Ability to work independently and make day-to-day production decisions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily sod production and maintain high-quality fields.
• Manage planting, field prep, mowing, irrigation, harvesting, and field expansion.
• Interpret soil samples and implement fertility/fertigation plans.
• Identify pests/weeds/diseases and oversee appropriate applications.
• Operate tractors, mowers, harvesters, sprayers and related equipment.
• Coordinate with delivery drivers on schedules and logistics.

Skills

Agronomy knowledge

Hands-on leadership

Strong work ethic

Communication skills

Driver's license

Job description

Assistant Farm Manager | Sod Production | Florida Ridge, Florida

Location: Near Florida Ridge, Florida | On-Site | Housing: Not provided | Department: Production

About the Opportunity

Our client is a well-established, certified sod grower with a multi-state presence, expanding its production operations in Florida. This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at one of its newest farm locations and play a hands-on role in building a successful, high-quality, and profitable sod operation.

The Assistant Farm Manager will oversee day-to-day sod production activities including agronomy, fertility, chemical applications, irrigation, mowing, harvesting, planting, and field expansion.

This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on agricultural professional with a strong agronomic or turfgrass background who enjoys working outdoors, operating equipment, solving problems, and taking ownership of production.

As the Jacksonville operation grows, there is strong potential to advance into a Farm Manager role and take responsibility for building and leading a local team.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily sod production and maintain healthy, high-quality fields.
• Manage planting, field preparation, mowing, irrigation, harvesting, and field expansion activities.
• Interpret soil samples and understand soil health and fertility requirements.
• Implement and monitor fertility applications to support healthy turfgrass growth.
• Identify pests and insects and oversee appropriate insecticide applications.
• Identify weeds and oversee appropriate herbicide applications.
• Identify turfgrass diseases and oversee appropriate fungicide applications.
• Identify and address off-types within certified sod production.
• Monitor irrigation systems, soil moisture, and field conditions to maintain appropriate growing conditions.
• Understand and maintain appropriate mowing heights for different sod varieties.
• Uphold company quality standards throughout production and harvest.
• Operate tractors, mowers, harvesters, sprayers, and other agricultural/turf equipment as needed.
• Coordinate with delivery drivers regarding product transportation and harvest schedules.
• Work with farm leadership on planting plans and future field expansion.
• Help ensure the farm operates efficiently, safely, and profitably.
• Work with remote administrative support on scheduling, documentation, and other administrative needs.
• Collaborate with the CEO, VP of Farm Operations, and administrative team on farm priorities.
• As the operation grows, help recruit, train, and lead the local farm team.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines agronomic knowledge with a strong work ethic, hands-on ability, and leadership potential.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in sod production, turfgrass management, agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of soil health, fertility, irrigation, pests, weeds, and turfgrass disease.
• Experience interpreting soil samples and implementing fertility programs.
• Knowledge of herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide applications.
• Ability and willingness to operate agricultural and turf equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to sod quality.
• Ability to work independently and make sound day-to-day production decisions.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Leadership experience or demonstrated potential to lead a growing farm team.
• A valid driver's license.
• Willingness to work outdoors in a fast-paced agricultural environment.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

The best person for this position will have a farmer's commitment and drive. They will take pride in understanding what the soil and grass need, identifying problems early, and taking ownership of the health and quality of the farm.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Hands-on and willing to get into the field.
• Agronomically minded and understands how to keep soil and turfgrass healthy.
• Mechanically capable and comfortable operating equipment.
• Detail-oriented when it comes to certified sod quality.
• Proactive rather than waiting for problems to arise.
• A natural leader who can help build and develop a local team.

Growth Opportunity

This position offers a clear opportunity to grow with the Jacksonville operation.

As the farm expands, the Assistant Farm Manager can take on increasing responsibility for:

• Farm production and profitability
• Field expansion
• Team development and leadership
• Production planning
• Quality management
• Day-to-day farm operations

The long-term opportunity is to progress into a Farm Manager role with responsibility for managing the local operation and team.

Work Environment

This is a fast-paced, hands-on outdoor agricultural environment.

The Assistant Farm Manager will spend significant time in the field and should be comfortable working in Florida's outdoor conditions. Daily priorities may shift based on weather, field conditions, crop needs, harvest schedules, and customer demand.

The position will work closely with the CEO and VP of Farm Operations regarding planting, field expansion, quality, and harvest responsibilities, while also utilizing remote administrative support.

How Success Will Be Measured

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Consistently meeting company core values and expectations.
• Maintaining healthy, high-quality sod.
• Meeting production and harvest quality standards.
• Effective fertility, irrigation, pest, weed, and disease management.
• Maintaining certified sod quality and identifying off-types.
• Supporting a safe, productive work environment.
• Contributing to a profitable farm location.
• Demonstrating leadership and readiness to take on increasing responsibility.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a well-established sod grower while helping build one of its newest Florida operations.

You won't simply be maintaining an established farm. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on production, field expansion, agronomic practices, quality, and ultimately the growth of the Jacksonville operation.

For the right candidate, this role provides a clear path toward Farm Manager and the opportunity to help build and lead a successful local sod operation.