Harvesting Operator (Overnight)

Oishii; Phillipsburg (NJ); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical Insurance

Life Insurance + LTD

EAP Access

Pet Insurance

401(k) Plan

Parental leave

Social events

Activity groups

Job summary

Oishii is hiring an Harvesting Operator (Overnight) in Phillipsburg, NJ. This hands-on role keeps approximately 90% of time tending to the farm and its strawberry crops, with responsibilities spanning harvesting, cleaning, and data collection to support plant health.

The position is full-time with overnight shifts and a 4-day onsite schedule. Starting pay is $19 per hour, and the team emphasizes reliability, teamwork, and accuracy in every task.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Punctuality and attendance must be strong.
• Interest in strawberries and farming.
• Attention to product quality and consistency.
• Experience in a commercial kitchen or packaging is a plus. Food Safety Certification is a plus.
• On-the-job training provided.

Responsibilities

• Manage stages of the strawberry plant life cycle, harvesting, and cleaning/sanitizing.
• Operate and troubleshoot farming technologies.
• Collaborate with packaging and distribution for sorting, weighing, labeling.
• Collect data to improve strawberry quality and processes.
• Escalate concerns to leadership to ensure plant and worker safety.

Skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Reliability

Flexibility

Strong work ethic

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Details

Level: Entry

Job Location: Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $19.00 - $19.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage: None

Job Shift: Overnight

Job Category: Production Operations

Title: Harvesting Operator (Overnight)

Job Description

We grow the world's BEST Strawberries & our Harvesting Operators are a huge reason why!

As part of our Production Team, a Harvester is responsible for the execution of harvesting related tasks in a production farm contributing to our exceptional product and plant health.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage stages of the strawberry plant life cycle. Ensure tasks such as harvesting, and cleaning/sanitizing are completed timely.


• Operate and troubleshoot new farming technologies.


• Communicate and work cross functionally with packaging and distribution; support packaging with sorting, cleaning, weighing, packaging and labeling the strawberries into the appropriate container.


• Engage in information and data collection as necessary so that we can continually improve our strawberries.


• Escalate concerns to leadership as necessary to ensure the health and safety of our plants and our people.

The role is hands-on with about 90% of time spent in the farm tending to our plants.

Qualifications

Who will love this job: Individuals who identify with our Core Values and exhibit skills within those values will thrive at Oishii.

• One Team, One Fight!


• Outgoing and collaborative work style - Ability to work cross functionally at all levels and collaborate at various levels of the organization.


• Focus: Ability to remove obstacles in order to prioritize which could include problem solving, working through ambiguity and using fact based or sound judgment.


• Ability to work independently, with a high attention to detail, and ability to create structure & process where none may exist.


• GSD (Get Sh** Done!): Capable of prioritizing tasks and always considering the resources available when doing so.


• A bias for action! Ability to hold yourself accountable and take ownership of driving results that impact company outcomes.

What We Look for in a Harvester

• High School Diploma or GED.


• Ability to maintain excellent punctuality and attendance.


• You love strawberries and learning new things!


• You love the natural rhythm of farming and would thrive spending hours every day in a farm caring for plants – experience with gardening is a plus


• Attention to detail & ability to recognize imperfections in products/produce.


• Prior Experience in a commercial kitchen or commercial packaging operation is a plus! Food Safety Certification is also a plus!


• No growing experience necessary, on the job training will be provided.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs


• Ability to climb a ladder


• Ability to crouch or kneel


• Ability to reach and stretch


• Hand dexterity


• Comfortable in an active non sedentary role for lengths of up to 6 to 8 hours at a time


• MUST NOT be allergic to bees

Shift & Schedule

• Either Saturday or Sunday availability is required; this is a 4 day/week onsite role; schedules vary Sunday to Wednesday 7:30pm to 6am or and Wednesday to Saturday 7:30pm to 6am.

Perks at Oishii

• Competitive hourly pay starts at $19.00/hour with a track for pay advancement


• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance


• 100% Employer Paid Life Insurance + Long Term Disability Insurance


• EAP Access


• Pet Insurance


• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Roth & Traditional)


• Paid Parental leave


• Office social events including happy hours, parties, and community service projects


• Employee activity groups for basketball players, Yoga Enthusiasts, runners...

About Oishii

Oishii (which means "delicious" in Japanese) is the innovative company behind the world's largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. On a mission to transform the agriculture industry through the power of smart farming, Oishii harmoniously marries nature with state-of-the-art technology to create the ideal elements - rain, air, heat, light, nourishment and natural bee pollination for growing in-season produce all year round. Oishii’s beloved Omakase, Koyo and Nikko Berries are grown in pesticide-free vertical farms in the U.S. and proudly bear the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. Founded in 2016, Oishii’s investors include SPARX Group, NTT, Yaskawa, McWin Capital Partners, and Resilience Reserve. Oishii was recognized as one of Fast Company’s "World's Most Innovative Companies" in 2022.

Today, Oishii operates farms and research facilities across the United States and Japan, bringing together expertise from both countries to advance the future of agriculture. As a Japanese-founded company with global ambitions, we are building a world-class team dedicated to transforming how premium produce is grown and delivered. For more information, visit www.oishii.com.