Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Agricultural Operations Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Agricultural Operations Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and optimizing all on-farm operational activities to maximize crop and/or livestock productivity, profitability, and sustainability. This role combines agronomy, operations leadership, supply chain management, equipment logistics, compliance (GAP, FSMA, biosecurity), and staff development to deliver consistent, high-quality agricultural output. The ideal candidate brings hands-on farm experience, strong financial and people-management skills, and a track record of leveraging precision agriculture and data-driven practices to reduce costs and increase yields.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Farm Manager or Farm Supervisor with 2–4 years of field leadership experience
Agronomist or Crop Specialist transitioning from advisory to operations
Equipment/Mechanic Lead or Operations Coordinator with farm-scale logistics responsibility

Advancement To:

Regional Operations Manager or Director of Farm Operations
Head of Agricultural Production or VP of Farming
Farm Owner / Enterprise Manager (scaling operations or multiple sites)

Lateral Moves:

Crop Production Manager
Supply Chain / Logistics Manager for agricultural goods
Sustainability or Soil Health Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine annual crop and/or livestock production plans, including planting schedules, crop rotations, seed selection, varietal trials, and stocking decisions that align with company profitability and sustainability goals.
Oversee daily farm operations across planting, cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, pest and disease management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling to ensure timely execution and minimize losses.
Create and manage the annual operations budget, forecast seasonal cash flow, monitor P&L performance for production units, and propose cost-saving and revenue-enhancing initiatives.
Recruit, train, mentor, and supervise field staff, crew leaders, and seasonal labor; develop workforce schedules, safety training, performance reviews, and retention strategies to maintain a skilled, compliant team.
Implement and enforce food safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance programs (e.g., GAP, FSMA, HACCP where applicable), maintain required documentation, and coordinate inspections and audits.
Lead equipment lifecycle management: procure, schedule maintenance, manage repair budgets, and oversee safe operation of tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, and processing equipment to maximize uptime and efficiency.
Deploy and manage precision agriculture technologies and farm-management software (e.g., GPS guidance, variable-rate applications, remote sensing, yield mapping) to improve decision-making and lower input costs.
Design and execute integrated pest management (IPM) and fertility programs using soil tests, tissue sampling, and agronomic recommendations to optimize nutrient use efficiency and crop health.
Coordinate logistics for harvest, storage, grading, packing, and shipping; manage inventory levels of finished goods, inputs, and packaging; negotiate contracts and rates with haulers and packers.
Oversee post-harvest handling, cold chain management, packing standards, and quality control to preserve product quality, meet buyer specifications, and reduce shrinkage.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, seed/chemical reps, buyers, cooperatives, and extension services to secure favorable pricing, reliable supply, and market access.
Prepare rigorous production forecasts and yield models; analyze historical and real-time data to adjust plans, order forecasted inputs, and inform sales and procurement teams.
Implement and monitor environmental and sustainability programs such as soil health initiatives, water conservation strategies, nutrient management planning, and carbon or regenerative agriculture practices.
Manage contracts, leases, and relationships with growers, landowners, and third-party service providers, ensuring adherence to service level agreements and compliance with company policies.
Lead health, safety, and biosecurity programs by developing SOPs, conducting safety audits and incident investigations, and ensuring crew certifications and PPE compliance across operations.
Design and implement capital improvement projects: irrigation upgrades, drainage, storage facilities, processing lines, and infrastructure enhancements—overseeing contractors, budgets, and timelines.
Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence through KPI development (yield per acre, labor productivity, cost per unit, downtime), root-cause analysis, and deployment of corrective action plans.
Coordinate research and development trials with agronomy teams or external research partners to evaluate new varieties, inputs, or management practices and scale successful innovations.
Manage risk and business continuity planning including crop insurance, weather contingency planning, disaster recovery, and emergency response for severe weather, disease outbreaks, or supply interruptions.
Prepare and deliver regular reporting to senior management and stakeholders, including operational performance, compliance status, budgets, CAPEX requests, and strategic recommendations.
Champion customer and market-focused initiatives such as quality assurance for contract grower programs, traceability improvements for buyers, and direct-to-consumer or CSA program operations where applicable.

Secondary Functions

Produce ad-hoc operational reports, dashboards, and insights using farm management platforms or spreadsheets to support strategic decision-making.
Collaborate with agronomists, procurement, sales, and sustainability teams to translate field observations into actionable business strategies and marketing claims.
Support commercial activities by participating in customer site visits, product presentations, and technical support for key accounts.
Assist in development and documentation of SOPs, work instructions, and training materials to standardize operations and onboard new hires.
Participate in farm budgeting, seasonal planning workshops, and cross-functional project teams to align production with business goals.
Lead community outreach and extension activities, representing the operation at local ag meetings, cooperative boards, and stakeholder engagement events.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Agronomy and Crop Management: deep understanding of crop physiology, crop rotation planning, seed selection, and yield optimization.
Livestock Management (if applicable): herd health planning, nutrition, reproduction, and animal welfare best practices.
Farm Machinery & Maintenance: practical knowledge of agricultural equipment operation, preventive maintenance, and workshop oversight.
Irrigation & Water Management: design, scheduling, and troubleshooting of drip, pivot, and surface irrigation systems.
Pest & Disease Management: integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, pesticide application safety, and resistance management.
Precision Agriculture & Data Tools: proficiency with GPS guidance, variable-rate technology, remote sensing, drone imagery, yield monitors, and farm management information systems (FMIS).
Financial Management & Budgeting: experience creating and managing budgets, P&L responsibility, cost-control measures, and ROI analysis for capital projects.
Supply Chain & Logistics: inventory control, harvest scheduling, cold chain management, and transportation coordination.
Regulatory Compliance & Food Safety: working knowledge of GAP, FSMA, HACCP, environmental permits, and reporting requirements.
Software & Reporting: competency with MS Excel (advanced), farm ERP/FMIS platforms, and basic GIS or data visualization tools.
Contract & Vendor Management: negotiating service contracts, procurement of inputs, and managing third-party relationships.
Risk Management & Insurance: crop insurance claims, weather risk mitigation, and emergency response planning.

Soft Skills

Leadership & People Management: ability to hire, coach, motivate, and retain diverse field teams and seasonal workers.
Problem Solving & Decision Making: rapid, data-informed decisions under field pressure and evolving conditions.
Communication & Stakeholder Management: clear reporting to executives, timely coordination with buyers, and effective crew-level communication.
Organizational & Time Management: prioritize seasonal workflows and manage competing operational demands.
Adaptability & Resilience: comfortable with weather-driven uncertainty and shifting market conditions.
Continuous Improvement Mindset: drive efficiencies, document lessons learned, and scale best practices across operations.
Collaboration: work cross-functionally with agronomy, sales, procurement, and sustainability teams to achieve business outcomes.
Safety Orientation: promote a safety-first culture and model safe behavior on and off the field.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Business, or a related field — or equivalent hands-on agricultural experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s plus professional certifications (e.g., Certified Crop Adviser) or a Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, or Business Administration (MBA) with agricultural focus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Agronomy, Crop Science, or Horticulture
Animal Science or Veterinary Technology (for livestock operations)
Agricultural Business, Supply Chain, or Economics
Soil Science, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5–10 years of progressive agricultural experience, including at least 2–4 years in a supervisory or operational leadership role.

Preferred:

7+ years of production agriculture experience with demonstrated P&L responsibility, multi-site oversight, experience with precision ag technologies, and a track record of leading teams and capital projects.