What is it like to work at Interlake Agri?
We currently are staffed with 14 full time employees. It is important for us to have additional labor available for operations throughout the year. By having available labor, it allows us to achieve better work life balance for the employees and more flexibility when it comes to planned and unplanned events. It is important for Interlake Agri to be supportive in this manner so that the employee can achieve their goals in Family, Lifestyle, and Work.
The other major drivers who make us who we are is the challenge of what we do. It ranges from meeting our seed plant customer needs so that they in turn are successful in bringing their products to market, all the way to being innovative in our farming practices as we have a focus on niche crop types where there is no handbook on how to produce the crop.
We have grown this second-generation family business on the path less traveled and that alone has given us the financial freedom to create a business that is sustainable, has attracted the right people to build the team and the outcome of these factors is a work experience that is hard to beat!
Farm Operations Manager/ Trainee
Field Operations, Asset management, Labor management, Assist Farm Manager
Interlake Agri is looking for an individual to succeed the current Farm Manager and help the company grow to the next level and enable the company to capitalize on exciting new opportunities. The individual will be well supported in their on the job learning to complement their formal education to make a well-rounded manager ready to take their career to the next step.
Interviews will be held discreetly for those that are applying and already employed elsewhere.
FULL JOB DETAILS
THE JOB:
This position’s main responsibilities are to manage day-to-day field operations, asset management, and labor management. The Farm Operations Manager will be coordinating farm operation team members (4-6 people) to ensure the operations are successful. The Farm Operation Manager will work closely with the current outgoing Farm Manager (Adam Gregory) to ensure solid support is available to the new manager. The goal for advancement is to have the Farm Operations Manager succeed the current Farm Manager if the individual is prepared and capable to advance. As the individual gains competency in this position over time, this position will work towards overseeing and fully operating and managing all aspects of a corporate farm.
JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Participating, Directing, and Organizing Leafcutter Bee Operations:
The leafcutter bee is easy to work with. They are a docile bee with no need for protective equipment when handling or inspecting. Check this link out for some insight: https://youtu.be/rsUNxvXofgo
· Plan out shelter locations for all fields that need pollination.
· Communicate specific field instructions to crew leaders.
· Coordinate daily labor plan communicating if there is extra labor available for other jobs in other divisions.
· Organize trucks and trailers for crew leaders to help coordinate shelter placement.
· Assist outgoing Farm Manager with planning and incubation of Leafcutter Bees.
2) Participating, Directing, and Organizing Field Operations:
· Planning of crop rotation for the season. Planning of weekly and monthly farm operations and communicating that to the farm team.
· Acquire new production contracts and maintain existing contracts and relationships with partner companies.
· Communicate specific field instructions to operators.
· Coordinate daily labor plan, communicating if there is extra labor available for other jobs in other divisions.
· Organize equipment lineup and ensure all maintenance is complete and the equipment is ready for use.
· Quality control of field operations.
· Operation knowledge of all farm equipment and electronics.
3) Scouting of all Fields and Bee performance:
· Regularly scouting field crops for Disease, Insect and Weed pressures.
· Regularly scouting Leaf Cutter Bee performance in season to optimize production.
4) Orientations and Farm Safety:
· Ensure all crew members have completed the orientation on farm policies and safety.
· Review current farm safety practices and implement where required.
5) Administration and Planning
· Participate in weekly management meetings, identifying action items for your role and contributing to other divisions of the company through ideas and other supports.
· Work closely with the outgoing Farm Manager to understand the financials of the operation. This includes having a relationship with the corporation’s banker, Currency hedging, Commodity hedging, budgeting, Capital expenditure planning and execution, understanding of financial statements and more.
· Utilize Management and planning software to track and plan operational data using in house spreadsheets and 3rd party data platforms like John Deere Operations Center and Farmers Edge Farm Command.
· Manage the farming divisions Environmental, Health and Safety software. This entails investigating incidents, issuing corrective actions and follow up on completion or implementation of changes.
6) Planning of Yard/ Building Maintenance and Capital Projects
· Participate in planning meetings. Will be responsible for looking after aspects of project management to assist the Lead manager all the way up to full responsibility for project management for the farm division.
7) Attend meetings and conferences that apply to the role.
·This can be various producer type meetings through to conferences where networking with potential partner companies will drive opportunities and company growth moving forwards.
TRAINING AND ORIENTATION:
This is a complex and challenging role within the business. With that said, it is a rewarding career that is purposeful, and career/ financial opportunities that are hard to beat.
Training and orientation will happen over the course of a few years. Every production cycle is different, and every season is different, so it will take time before the individual will have a solid grasp on all aspects of the job.
The individual that is hired will not have all the skills that are required. The goal is that the fundamental knowledge of business and agriculture have been acquired through formal education and the remaining skills will be learnt on the job with the Farm Manager being available and supportive in sharing their experiences and knowledge.
Participation in operations to gain detailed knowledge and experience in all operations will be an important step in the education of the individual hired. This approach also builds trust and rapport with fellow employees which lends itself to a more unified team.
Further formal education will also be a part of the approach to getting the new hire up to speed where necessary. In general, further education will be an aspect of this job on a continual basis as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Post-secondary education will be necessary for this position and future advancement. Education specifically in Business and or Agriculture will be valuable.
2. Able to manage all scheduling projects and coordinate with the crews to ensure effective and efficient execution of field operations.
3. High degree of flexibility and adaptability. Capable of multitasking.
4. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure. Approaches the job with an inquisitive nature. Has good judgement and makes decisions quickly and accurately.
5. Class 1 Drivers License is also valuable for this position. It is not required.
6. Is aware and able to ensure all policies, Standard Operating Procedures, job hazard analyses are being followed. Performs all tasks safely to avoid near-miss incidents, accidents, and any other occupational injuries.
7. Carry out oral and written instruction. Treats other coworkers and customers with courtesy and respect. Reports to Farm Manager on a weekly basis and follows up on all updates.
8. Promotes teamwork and can manage a team. Cooperative and consistently going out of their way to support the team. Establishes good rapport with all employees and customers.
9. Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
10. Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, Search engine use and research
COMPENSATION:
$30-$50 per hour, paid bi-weekly. The lower end of the pay scale reflects a wage that would be paid to an individual that has little experience but has the potential, all the way to an individual that is in full control and answers only to the president of the company.
Overtime of 1.5x starts after 45 hours worked in a week.
Vacation pay. Program is scaled to tenure.
Bonus pay. We have a few bonus structures we use depending on role with the company.
Full benefits package. A combination of standard benefits with a supplemental Health Care Spending Account.
Registered Pension Plan. The company will additionally match up to 4% of the employee’s contributions into their RPP.
Other perks include clothing and footwear programs, off site staff functions like ice fishing tournaments or sporting events, use of company infrastructure like tools and shop, and flexibility for life’s un-planned and planned events.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
During the production season work environments would be various. From cabs of vehicles and equipment to indoor shops and warehouses, to working outdoors or office work in your own office space.
During winter, a large portion of work is office related. Almost all work that you would be responsible for participating in or supervising is being carried out indoors.
As a company we do have certain operations that are dirty, dusty, and loud but we make efforts to buy equipment and mitigate the challenges as best we can to provide an enjoyable work environment.
Agricultural Equipment Technician/Mechanic
Interlake Agri is looking for a skilled mechanic to add to the current Shop team. We currently have a full time mechanic and a red seal welder/ shop manager on staff but we need more skilled support in this area of the business. We are looking for the mechanic who wants variety in their work, that doesn’t always want to pull wrenches and may want to have some involvement supporting farming operations when times are busy.
Interviews will be held discreetly for those that are applying and already employed elsewhere.
FULL JOB DETAILS
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Diagnose and inspect equipment for faults and malfunctions. Repair and adjust equipment and replace defective parts.
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- As part of our preventive maintenance in Farming operations and Seed Plant operations, it is important for the mechanic to understand the machinery they are working on to identify deficiencies and avoid breakdowns and downtime.
- Ordering special parts or parts for restocking to complete jobs.
- Perform updates, and pre-season inspections.
- This applies to farming equipment and seed plant equipment and their respective busy season(s) and having the equipment ready to go.
- Complete work orders and enter technician notes into computer.
- Complete work orders with the ability to prioritize the most important tasks.
- Enter in service notes to keep continually tracking machine health and history.
- Adhere to all occupational health and safety standards as the company is committed to the protection and wellness of its employees.
- Assist the shop manager in aspects of shop management and inventory control.
- This can range from ordering parts from various suppliers to assisting OR management of certain shop activities.
- Participate in aspects of project management all the way through to full project management in your area of expertise.
- This means participating in planning meetings on large scale projects and taking on an area of responsibility that fits within your skillset OR if qualified to run smaller projects and be responsible for the desired outcome.
- Participate in Shop, Farm and Seed Plant meetings to contribute to solutions and understand challenges and repairs that pertain to your role.
- We hold regular meetings to address issues, plan and communicate. Shop staff are participating in these meetings because the farm operations and seed plant operations are what drive tasks and priority for the shop in addition to the shops own initiatives and schedules they are responsible for.
- Participate in a supporting mechanical role for farm operations all the way through to operation of machinery when needed.
- This would mean in season repairs that happen in the main yard or the field that are time sensitive. Doing a good job in this area allows the operations to resume without too much down time.
- For the mechanic that enjoys operating machinery, there will be opportunities to help with operations when we are short staffed or need to get the work done in a timely manner.
Required Skills:
- Proven knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and techniques used in the repair of agricultural equipment.
- Outstanding knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
- Ability to use computer to support diagnostics.
- Excellent problem-solving ability.
- Secondary formal education in Mechanics that forms the basis of your skill set.
- Class 5 Drivers license. Class 1 license is an asset but not required.
WORK ENVIROMENT:
During the production season work environments would be various. From cabs of vehicles and equipment to indoor shops and warehouses, to working outdoors or office work.
As a company we do have certain operations that are dirty, dusty, and loud but we make efforts to buy equipment and mitigate the challenges as best we can to provide an enjoyable work environment.
Compensation:
$22-$40 per hour, paid bi-weekly. The lower end of the pay scale reflects a wage that would be paid to an individual that has little experience but has the potential, all the way to an individual that is in full control and carries responsibility for the organization.
Overtime of 1.5x starts after 45 hours worked in a week.
Vacation pay. Program is scaled to tenure.
Bonus pay. We have a few bonus structures we use depending on role with the company.
Full benefits package. A combination of standard benefits with a supplemental Health Care Spending Account.
Registered Pension Plan. The company will additionally match up to 4% of the employee’s contributions into their RPP.
Other perks include clothing and footwear programs, off site staff functions like ice fishing tournaments or sporting events, use of company infrastructure like tools and shop, and flexibility for life’s un-planned and planned events.