Company description

Founded by chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Row 7 is an organic food company built to reimagine food from seed to table. Working in collaboration with chefs, farmers, and plant breeders, our mission is to introduce new plant varieties that bring unique culinary, nutritional, and ecological value to consumers. Since its inception five years ago, Row 7 has collaborated with stakeholders across the food chain to make delicious ingredients—and the stories behind them—more accessible to all. Through our online marketplace, Row 7 sells organic seeds to home gardeners and growers. In the last year, Row 7 launched a line of branded organic vegetables for sale in grocery stores throughout the Northeast in 2023, and will expand to the West Coast in 2024.

Job description

The Grower Relations Manager - Pacific Northwest will play a pivotal role in scaling Row 7’s regional organic produce supply chain to the Pacific Northwest. Row 7 is in search of a motivated individual to join our team, representing Row 7 with integrity and respect to growers and supply chain stakeholders. This essential position will monitor and support the entire agricultural cycle across California and Pacific Northwest production sites. The position will be instrumental in providing on-the-ground support to ensure the highest quality Row 7 vegetables are represented on shelves in 2024 and beyond

Location:

• Skagit Valley, WA, based with travel to Central California and Lower Hudson Valley, NY, as needed
• A hybrid work environment is possible
• Up to 75% travel anticipated (see travel framework below)

Reporting:

• This role reports to Produce Operations Manager

Responsibilities include:

Produce Sourcing and Pacific Northwest Grower Quality Support

• Perform site visits within our Pacific Northwest grower network, monitoring the entire agricultural cycle (planting, growing, harvest, packing, and storage) across all crops
• Communicate with and support growers in the implementation of growing practices that will maximize quality and the ability to deliver Row 7 specifications
• Work proactively with growers to ensure post-harvest finished product meets Row 7 specifications, including oversight of the pack and ship process
• Identify and communicate any potential timeline or quality risks and serve as a thought partner in collaboration with the grower and Row 7 team to find solutions.
• Collaborate with operations team to develop an action plan for off-grade product
• Complete reports, monitor, and track all quality issues
• Aid in documentation collection for food safety compliance and organic certification
• Provide input on produce specifications and growing guides based on customer and grower feedback throughout the season

Commercial Trials Support

• Oversee commercial trial plantings across multiple Pacific Northwest growing sites to meet established targets for branded produce expansion in 2024 and beyond

• Conduct outreach calls and visits to potential commercial growers to catalog capacity for expanded organic production and processing

• Aid in documentation collection for food safety compliance and organic certification
• Track commercial trials with consistent and timely data collection and communication throughout growing, harvest, storage, and packing processes to assess the potential for scaled production
• Work proactively with growers to ensure the finished product meets Row 7 specifications, including post-harvest inspections
• Assist in determining the root cause of any quality issues

Required education and experience

• 4-6+ years of produce operations experience, with a strong preference for experience with organic and regenerative agriculture systems
• Conversational Spanish language skills required
• Contract growing and/or agricultural growing experience
• Experience working with commercial produce supply chain
• Understand produce quality measures, preferably experience with row crops
• Knowledge of general shipping and receiving practices
• Ability to use MS Office/G-Suite software for data entry and tracking
• Valid drivers license

The ideal candidate is

• Eager to learn, build, and grow with an expanding organization
• Experienced with Pacific Northwest produce growers and vendors
• Organized and accountable, able to meet deadlines
• A skilled verbal and written communicator
• Strong at problem-solving and critical thinking
• Able to travel regularly, especially in and around the Pacific Northwest
• Committed to lasting food system change

Details

• Annual salary from $80,000 commensurate with experience
• Benefits including
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • 401(k)
  • Employee Discount
  • Paid Time Off
  • Volunteer Time Off

Row 7 is committed to centering equity and justice in our work and community. We encourage LGBTQIA+, BIPOC candidates and members of other historically marginalized groups to apply.

Anticipated Travel Framework / 2024 - 2025 Season

subject to change based on farm and company needs; travel expenses will be reimbursed

February - May, 2024

Description

• Grower site visits to solidify crop plans and ensure planting schedules in the field and greenhouse are on track.

Visit and Travel Expectations

• Average 1 to 2-hour visits per location
• 5 - 7 days per month

June - November, 2024

Description

• Grower site visits to monitor crop growth progress, flag early quality concerns, collect data, and facilitate trial pack-outs

Visit and Travel Expectations

• Average 2 to 3-hour visits per location with full days possible
• 12 to 15 days per month

December, 2024 - February, 2025

Description

• Site visits to monitor storage and quality of crop; scout new grower partners

Visit and Travel Expectations

• Average 1 to 2-hour visits per location
• 5 to 7 days per month

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline