Production Shift Manager (Indoor Vertical Farming)

Oishii Farm Corporation; Phillipsburg (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Employer-paid life insurance

Long term disability

Parental leave

Paid time off

Paid sick time

Paid holidays

Training

Job summary

Oishii Farm Corporation, the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm, seeks a Shift Manager to lead production operations across farms and a packaging team on multiple shifts. You will own the execution of all production functions with a team of farm and pack operators.

Drive KPIs, mentor teams, ensure food safety and sanitation, and partner with maintenance to deliver high yield and quality in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in farming, production, warehouse, or similar environments.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams.
• Experience with automation/large-scale equipment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive Production KPIs such as speed, quality, yield, and cost.
• Lead farming and packaging teams across multiple shifts and farms.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation, and IPM risk management.
• Analyze real-time data to guide decisions.
• Coordinate with maintenance and other functions for cohesive operations.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and staffing management.
• Spend most time in farm/pack environment, auditing execution.

Skills

People leadership

Production management

Safety compliance

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Equipment operation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree (plus)

Tools

ConnectTeams

Google Suite

Slack

Asana

Job description

Farm Shift ManagerWe grow the world’s BEST Strawberries & that wouldn’t be possible without our Production Operations Team!We are seeking a Shift Manager who will lead our production operations team spanning multiple farms, and a packaging team on multiple shifts within our vertical farming facility. Each Shift Manager is responsible for a specific shift and owns driving execution of all production functions with a team of farm and/or pack operators. Take ownership of all aspects of production including team development, equipment understanding/readiness, sanitation, health & safety, food safety & quality, cost, and product yield.This role works a fixed Sunday–Wednesday schedule, with shift hours rotating every 6 months between a set day shift (6:00 AM-6:00 PM) and a set night shift (6:00 PM-6:00 AM). Rotation dates are predetermined.What you’ll be responsible for:Drive Production KPIs, such as pruning or packaging speed, bruise rate, IPM task completion, cost reduction, increased yield, quality, and other key metrics contributing to team success measured in cost, quality and productivity.Operate and troubleshoot new farming and/or packaging technologies.Analyze real time reporting and data to interpret information to guide decision making.Keep your shift at peak performance by ensuring safety guidelines, IPM risk management, and sanitation adherence at all times. The health of your team and our farms depend on this.Communicate promptly, effectively, and respectfully with all associates to ensure clear expectations and align any upcoming changes.Work closely with cross functional partners throughout the facility such as maintenance to ensure a cohesive operation amongst different functions.Coordinate and troubleshoot with cross functional partners throughout the facility to identify and resolve any potential issues with your team, including system malfunctions, plant health issues, environmental issues, etc. Escalate gaps as necessary.Expected to understand, implement, and enforce food safety policies, including worker hygiene, sanitation, and maintaining proper documentation.Serve as a people manager directing work, providing feedback, evaluating work, assigning tasks, goal setting, coaching team members, resolving issues, and ensuring consistent staffing levels.This is a highly hands-on role where you are expected to spend the majority of your time in the farm or pack environment, observing operations in real time, ensuring processes are followed, and stepping in to drive performance when needed. You will audit team execution against established standards and provide immediate coaching and feedback when gaps are identified.Develop a deep understanding of all farming and packaging processes so you can effectively assess performance, identify inefficiencies, and coach team members to meet expectations consistently.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!Ability to quickly shift priorities to meet deadlines and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, clearly, concisely and with purpose.Ability to work cross functionally at all levels and collaborate at various levels of the organization. Natural leader capable of motivating our teams to accomplish ambitious goals!FocusAbility 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.Physical Requirements:Ability to lift up to 30 lbsAbility to climb a ladderAbility to crouch or kneelAbility to reach and stretchHand dexterityComfortable in an active non sedentary role for lengths of up to 5 to 6 hours at a timeComfortable in cold storage areas for extended periodsMUST NOT be allergic to beesWhat we look for in a Shift Manager:High School Diploma or GED; Bachelor's degree in business or other relevant field is a plus!3+ years of experience working in a farming, production, warehouse or similar environment.3+ years of experience leading teams.Working with automation, robotics or other large scale equipment is a plus.Solid computer literacy and familiarity with technology such as ConnectTeams, Google suite, Slack, Asana etc.Shift & Schedule:Shifts/schedules rotate at various times of the year; current open shiftsWednesday to Saturday 6am to 6pmWednesday to Saturday 6pm to 6amSunday to Wednesday 6pm to 6amThere may be times where you may have to respond to emergencies or issues off hours that impact the facility or your team.Perks at Oishii:Compensation: $65,000-$75,000 plus equityMedical, dental, vision, 401(K)100% Employer Paid Life Insurance + Long Term Disability InsurancePaid Parental leave, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick TimePaid Training & 7 Paid HolidaysOffice social events including happy hours, parties, and community service projectsEmployee 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.