Crop Specialist

Company: Mt. Olive Pickle Company
Location: Mount Olive
Posted on: May 9, 2024

Job Description:

Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc., located at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine in Mount Olive, North Carolina, manufactures the best-selling brand of pickles in the country with distribution in all 50 states. The company ferments pickles on site and produces fresh-packed pickles, peppers, relishes and much more. In business for over 90 years, Mt. Olive is known for quality products, dedicated employees, and its support of the local community. We strive continually to improve our operations, to make our processes better and more efficient, and to deliver the best quality and value for our customers and consumers.Mt. Olive Pickle Company is in search of qualified candidates for our Crop Specialist. This role is a vital part of our procurement team and will provide crop evaluation, expertise and forecasting.Duties and ResponsibilitiesEssential FunctionsPrimary focus will be to assist with planning, and procuring of quality raw materials (mainly cucumbers and peppers).Employee will improve crop intake forecasting with a deep knowledge of agronomic conditions.Analyze and promote farming best-practices, understanding nuiances of growing cucumbers and peppers.Responsible for giving routine field reports across our buying area which will include growing conditions, quality expectations, and planting/harvest dates.Provide crop reports to the broader Mt. Olive management team on a regular basis.Partner with Universities/Seed companies on field trials and report findings to Crop Procurement Team.Design farmer programs to aid in our overall procurement strategy.Manage seed inventory and distribution of seed to area buying stations.Work with quality department to analyze data for incoming crop - address quality concerns with suppliers/stations.Maintain appropriate computerized and paper records and files on pertinent information.Maintains areas of operation in a safe and sanitary manner. Makes effective use of and makes recommendations on physical assets. Determines that established safety rules, Company policy and good housekeeping are followed.Other DutiesTravels extensively (mostly local but may require out-of-state travel on occasion) in performing job duties.Coordinates with other departments to assure cooperation and timely completion of projects. Communicates and cooperates with other members of management to maintain productive and harmonious working relationships.Drives own or company vehicle in performance of some job duties.Represent Mt. Olive Pickle Company to outside contacts including, but not limited to farmers, suppliers, Universities, seed partners, truckers, and other industry professionals.Participates in training, employee meetings, committees, project teams, etc. as appropriate.Receives written and verbal instructions on the above job tasks and performs other duties as directed by Supervisor.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesRequires Bachelor's Degree, preferably Agriculture related. Agronomy experience, field work, analyzing crops, crop budgets, providing agronomic recommendations a plus. Must have good written and verbal communication skills. Working knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations (federal, state, EEOC, ESC, FDA, EPA, OSHA, USDA, etc.), with strong background in USDA regulations. Intermediate computer skills and knowledge of standard business software plus specialty software required. Proficient in Excel. Must speak, read and write in English.Must demonstrate aptitude to manage people, set example by own conduct and work habits, make prompt and competent decisions, use authority wisely and maintain discipline, morale and teamwork at high standard. Creative thinker and problem solver. Tips: Provide a summary of the role, what success in the position looks like, and how this role fits into the organization overall.

Keywords: Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Wilson , Crop Specialist, Other , Mount Olive, North Carolina