Organic food production

Position: Assistant Manager
Farm: Farmstead Fresh
Location: Hillsburgh/Erin, GTA, Ontario

About Farmstead Fresh

Farmstead Fresh is a small-scale organic microgreens producer located on Fifth Line in Hillsburgh, Ontario, approximately 30 minutes east of Guelph, 30 minutes north of Georgetown, and 25 minutes southwest of Orangeville.

We produce a highly perishable product, which means consistency, timing, food safety, and attention to detail are essential to our operation. We are a small, hands-on team and value a workplace that is relaxed and respectful while maintaining high standards for quality, efficiency, and reliability.

The Role

Farmstead Fresh is looking for a reliable and motivated Assistant Manager to work closely with the owner/Manager and take a lead role in the day-to-day operation of the business.

This is a hands-on management position. The Assistant Manager will oversee daily operations and staff, coordinate production and orders, assist with inventory and invoicing, and help ensure that work is completed accurately and on schedule. The successful candidate will be trained across all key areas of the operation so they can provide leadership, troubleshoot problems, support staff, and step into different roles when required. The Assistant Manager will also act as the primary backup to the Manager, including providing coverage during vacations, holidays, illness, or other absences.

The ideal candidate has previous experience supervising or managing people in food production, food handling, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, warehousing, or another operational environment.

However, we recognize that strong management skills can transfer across industries. Candidates from other fields will be considered if they can demonstrate experience leading people, organizing workflows, solving problems, and taking responsibility for day-to-day operations.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Operations & Team Leadership

• Lead and coordinate daily farm and production operations.
• Provide direction, support, and oversight to production and farm staff.
• Assign and prioritize daily tasks to ensure production stays on schedule.
• Help train and onboard staff and reinforce established procedures and standards.
• Monitor workflow and identify issues before they affect production or customer orders.
• Communicate operational issues, staffing needs, supply concerns, and other priorities to the Manager.
• Help maintain a positive, respectful, accountable, and efficient workplace.
• Act as the operational lead when the Manager is unavailable.

Production & Food Safety

• Learn all major production roles and provide backup coverage when required.
• Support planting, crop maintenance, harvesting, packaging, sanitation, and other production activities as needed.
• Ensure food-safety, sanitation, quality-control, and record-keeping procedures are consistently followed.
• Monitor equipment and production areas and respond appropriately when problems arise.
• Maintain the high level of organization and cleanliness required in a food-production and processing environment.

Orders, Inventory, & Administration

• Receive, organize, and schedule customer orders for production and delivery.
• Coordinate orders with production requirements and available inventory.
• Assist with invoicing and related administrative tasks.
• Monitor inventory of seeds, soil, packaging, labels, cleaning supplies, and other operational materials.
• Identify supply needs in advance and communicate orders as required.
• Maintain accurate production, inventory, food-safety, and operational records.
• Use email, spreadsheets, shared documents, and other basic computer systems for day-to-day administration.

Deliveries & Scheduling

• Coordinate and complete regular Tuesday deliveries.
• Ability to operate a large cargo van.
• Ensure orders are accurate, organized, and ready for delivery on time.
• Assist with staff scheduling and coverage as required.
• Provide coverage during Manager vacations and absences.
• Be available to work statutory holidays and other holidays when production requirements demand it.

What We’re Looking For

• Takes initiative and can identify what needs attention without constant direction.
• Is dependable and understands the importance of showing up consistently in a time-sensitive production environment.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with staff, management, customers, and suppliers.
• Is comfortable giving direction, following up on work, and addressing problems when necessary.
• Is organized and able to manage multiple priorities at once.
• Has strong attention to detail and understands the importance of accurate records.
• Can make reasonable day-to-day decisions independently while knowing when an issue should be brought to the Manager.
• Is comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team.
• Is willing to perform hands-on production work rather than only supervising others.
• Is adaptable and able to respond calmly when schedules, orders, staffing, or production needs change.

Requirements

• Previous supervisory, management, team-lead, or comparable leadership experience.
• Basic computer proficiency, including email, spreadsheets, and word-processing/shared documents.
• Valid, full G driver’s licence and reliable transportation.
• Insurable.
• Proximity to Hillsburgh/Erin and ability to commute year-round to our rural location.
• Ability to safely lift approximately 30–40 lbs and remain on your feet for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Availability to work statutory holidays when required.
• Flexibility to provide additional or adjusted coverage when the Manager is away.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on food-production and agricultural environment.

Assets

• Experience in food handling, food production, agriculture, farming, hospitality, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience with inventory management, ordering, invoicing, or production scheduling.
• Food-safety training or experience working within established food-safety procedures.

Hours & Compensation

This is a full-time position, generally Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Because Farmstead Fresh operates around the needs of living crops and a perishable food product, some flexibility is required. The Assistant Manager must be available to provide coverage during holidays, Manager vacations, and other operational needs. Statutory holidays and other holidays are paid at time and a half.

Starting wage: $22.55/hour.

The position includes a structured wage-review schedule, with an initial review following successful completion of the six-month probationary period, another review at one year, and annual reviews thereafter.

How to Apply

Email cover letter and resume to Josh at josh@farmsteadfresh.ca . Include “job application” in your subject line.

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