Farm Manager

Muscongus Bay Aquaculture (MBAq) is one of Maine’s largest producers of oysters. The company is growing sustainably, with new leases, techniques, and innovative growing methods. We are looking for a candidate to manage and help oversee the growth of the farm in the years to come.

General Responsibility Statement

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Farm Manager is responsible for ensuring employee safety, along with the health, growth, quality, and consumer safety of our shellfish, from time seed arrives, until shellfish are harvested and handed off for packing and shipping.

A successful Farm Manager should be able to lead and motivate the Farm Crew in a production environment, and should be comfortable with, and effective at, delegating to their crew, and collaborating with other managers, including outside of their department.

Key Responsibility Areas

1.     Supervise all steps of market shellfish production, including seed management and planting, harvesting, gear

maintenance and biofouling control, overwintering procedures.

2.     Project numbers of market oysters available for each season, and based on this information, develop and follow

weekly harvest plans.

3.     Determine possible crop loss data.

4.     Keep accurate records, such as inventory, production, farm management practices, and parent stock information

and location.

5.     Submit harvest data to DMR.

6.     Ensure health and safety of product for consumers, by ensuring all Maine Department of Marine Resources

(DMR), Federal Dept. of Agriculture policies, and applicable regulations and statutes are followed, including

HAACP plan.

7.     Ensure all farm equipment is maintained properly in collaboration with Facilities and Maintenance department.

8.     General upkeep and safe operation of all marine vessels.

9.     Determine systematic changes for more efficiency and accuracy.

10. Understand, follow, and enforce all MBAq policies and procedures, including but not limited to, Safety, Uniform

and PPE, Sanitation, Employee Hygiene.

11. Other relevant duties as assigned from time to time by management.

12. Work with upper management to develop long and short-range plans for the farm.

Key Results

·        Employees are working in a safe environment.

·        Farm operates smoothly and achieves production that meets. daily/weekly/annual targets.

·        Product quality is rigorously monitored and maintained to a high standard.

·        Staff are well managed and enabled to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.

·        Employees are motivated and have high morale.

·        Boats and rafts are clean, safe, and secure.

·        Company growth and expansion is well supported and enabled.

Key Interlocks

1.     General Manager

2.     Sales Department

3.     Farm Inventory Manager

4.     Shipping Logistics Coordinator

5.     Facilities and Maintenance Manager

Skills and Qualifications

·        Management skills i.e., ability to plan, direct, organize, and achieve results through others.

·        3+ years of aquaculture or farming experience required.

·        Strong and sound decision making skills.

·        Strong technology understanding: ability to learn and work with both mobile and computer technologies;

proficiency in Microsoft office.

·        Training ability.

·        Experience driving forklift, boat operation/trailering, larger trucks, required.

·        Regular, reliable predictable attendance.

·        Ability to work outdoors in ALL weather conditions, and manage a crew doing the same.

·        30-55 hours per work week. Time of day and length of work week varies with season.

·        Strong personal organization and time management skills.

·        Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

·        High initiative and ability to work with little direction.

·        Understanding of how product is handled once it goes for packing, including health regulations, packing, and

shipping. 

Job & Safety Requirements

·        Safety training required.

·        Pass training relevant to farm operations (forklift, dive, boat operation, overhead lifting).

·        21 years or older.

·        Valid driver’s license with clean driving record (to qualify for company insurance policy).

Physical Demands

·        Ability to sit, stand and/or walk on uneven (or floating) terrain for up to 8 hours a day

·        Flexibility of movement (bend, kneel, twist, squat throughout the day)

·        Ability to lift 50lbs

·        Ability to drive for a few hours in-between sites

·        Agility to climb on machines, boats, etc.

Benefits

At Muscongus Bay Aquaculture we have been steadily adding benefits as the company grows. We currently offer all full-time employees company sponsored health insurance, with the ability to add family members. We have paid time off including 8 annual holidays, 4 personal days, and 15 vacation days for new management. We also have paid parental leave and a retirement plan (401k) with 100% match up to 3% of employees gross income. All employees are provided with an annual $350 gear stipend.