Director of Farming Operations

Stahmanns Pecans; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance Bonus up to 15%

Company vehicle provided

Health insurance with company subsidy

Job summary

A family-run agricultural firm located in Las Cruces, NM is seeking a Director of Farming Operations to oversee all aspects of its expansive orchard. Responsibilities include managing staff, implementing agronomic strategies, and ensuring efficient operations across a 3,500-acre farm. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in large-scale farming and leadership, alongside a passion for agriculture. Competitive salary ranges from $150,000 to $180,000 with bonuses and company subsidized health insurance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years managing large-scale perennial crops; 2+ years leading supervisors or junior managers.
• Management of different irrigation systems (flood, sprinkler, drip).
• Experience creating team structure and developing supervisors and junior managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop all aspects of orchard operations.
• Mentor, coach, and hold accountable Junior Farm Managers.
• Prepare and manage annual budgets; oversee procurement and input inventory.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Tools

AgWorld

Excel

Job description

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Base pay range

$150,000.00/yr - $180,000.00/yr

About Stahmanns Pecans

Stahmanns Inc. is a family-owned and operated orchard, shelling, and warehouse facility in La Mesa, New Mexico. We have been committed to farming our land in the Mesilla Valley with craftsmanship, integrity, grit, and stewardship since 1925. Today we are one of the leading producers in the world, and pride ourselves in growing and processing the highest quality pecans available on the wholesale market.

Stahmanns Inc. is vertically integrated and manages all aspects of the farming, sorting, shelling, and packaging processes. For 90 years it has been our mission to produce the highest quality pecans, to continually make our business more sustainable, and to provide our clients with excellent service. We are a values-driven company and seek out the following qualities in all our team members.

What You Will Do

The Director of Farming Operations will lead and develop all aspects of orchard operations across our 3,500‑acre pecan farm in Las Cruces, NM and develop and manage our 1,400‑acre farm in Lordsburg, NM. The Director of Farming Operations’ responsibilities include staff leadership, agronomic strategy and execution, budgeting and procurement, fleet management and readiness, operational planning and recordkeeping through AgWorld, trial work with university partners, reporting to ownership, and driving profitability.

Responsibilities

• Mentor, coach, and hold accountable Junior Farm Managers, Supervisors, and Shop Manager.
• Recruit, onboard, and train staff; build bench strength and succession depth.
• Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure shop and fleet operations are reliable through preventive maintenance and accountability.
• Lead weekly planning and review meetings with Jr Managers.
• Oversee and direct orchard activities: irrigation, fertilization, pest control, pruning/hedging, harvesting, and planting.
• Develop proactive seasonal and multi-year plans; eliminate last‑minute “fire drills.”
• Coordinate labor and equipment across crops and development stages.
• Monitor crop health, water status, pests, and diseases; adjust programs as needed.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, WPS, REI/PHI, and state pesticide regulations.
• Prepare and manage annual budgets; oversee procurement and input inventory.
• Partner with accounting on monthly budget‑to‑actual reporting.
• Implement and maintain discipline around POs, requisitions, and cost tracking.
• Provide concise operational reports to ownership.
• Use AgWorld to plan, schedule, and document work; maintain accurate, auditable records.
• Collaborate with university and extension partners on field trials; scale proven improvements.
• Introduce best practices and technology to improve yield, efficiency, and long‑term orchard health.

Who You Are

To be successful as a Director of Farming Operations you must win the team over and be organized, creative, detail‑oriented, strategic, patient, and hard‑working. Outstanding candidates are experienced leaders who achieve success through the actions of the team they develop and organize. Candidates must have the vision to plan for the future and to enable their team to make good decisions and operate effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. Preferably in a technical field
• Management of different irrigation systems (flood, sprinkler, drip)
• 5+ years managing large‑scale perennial crops; 2+ years leading supervisors or junior managers
• A passion for Agriculture
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Experience creating team structure and developing supervisors and junior managers
• Superior planning and organizational skills
• Excellent computer skills are required; Excel, AgWorld (or similar)
• The ability to make decisions in stressful environments
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills
• Overtime will be required as with any farm job

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional courses in Business Management or Administration
• Pistachio, walnut, or pecan experience
• Recruiting and managing H2A workers
• Salary: $150,000 – $180,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Performance Bonus: Up to 15% of annual salary based on meeting operational and profitability targets.
• Vehicle: Company vehicle provided for business use.
• Health Insurance: Company‑subsidized premiums (Approx. 82% Employee / 67% Employee + Spouse / 71% Employee + Children / 65% Family).

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Management

Industries

• Farming

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