Seed Production Assistant

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DUDA, established in 2006 to manage the company’s legacy fresh produce operations. Capitalizing on a tradition begun in 1926 of growing healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, Duda Farm Fresh Foods offers year-round availability of a wide range of products packed under the Dandy® brand. A full-service grower, packer, shipper, marketer, importer and exporter of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh-cut vegetables, its operations are geographically diversified. The Florida-based corporation has production and shipping operations in Florida, California, Arizona, Michigan and Georgia with additional domestic and international locations. 

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. is currently looking for a qualified Seed Production Assistant to join our Research & Development team. The Seed Production Assistant will assist in the day-to-day operations, including production, seed crop health maintenance, seed harvest, documentation and trace back maintenance and crew coordination. Operation and maintenance of field equipment and systems including irrigation and fertility, spray equipment, sterilization machinery, field cages and greenhouses. While reporting to the Assistant Manager Seed Operations, will work internally with the research and development team, as required, to meet and/or exceed expected results related to volume, quality, cost, and timing of celery and radish seed (for both research and commercial use). Adjustable hours are essential for coordination of contract crews and pest control application activities. Will assist to ensure that all OSHA, labor and equipment safety standards and SOP's are strictly adhered to.  Must be able to work well in both a team environment as well as independently to accomplish tasks and objectives. This position will report to the Assistant Manager, Seed Operations and is located in Salinas, CA.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Assist in all seed production (isolation and cages) activities including planning, planting, training, production and harvest. This will include the follow through of both written and verbal instructions from planting through harvest and will include coordination of crews to facilitate much of the activities.
• Assist in all aspects of seed production including scouting and control protocols (will be responsible for actual pest control applications) for disease, insect, fertility, and water including appropriate documentation and timely spray reports while ensuring appropriate crew and personnel safety as required by safety protocols and laws.  Assist in fertility sampling and testing and any experimental activities that are involved in production of the crops including fertility and hormonal treatments, spacing and training and any other technique experiments and tracking results through harvest and milling.  Will be responsible for timely coordination of training and pruning activities in the seed crop production. This will include traveling and transport of equipment and supplies between locations and ensuring that the crews are equipped and start and finish their prescribed activities at the various locations in a timely and appropriate manner. Pesticide applications may require work during hours outside of the normal work hour or workday to avoid crew or bee activity. 
• Assist in all aspects of seed harvest including research and commercial seed.  This will include transport to and between locations of equipment and supplies to ensure that the crews and staff have everything required for completion of the task and will include appropriate transport of seed to the Research Center.  Coordination of crews through the harvest process and appropriate SOP's are adhered to for ensuring seed quality and freeness from contamination as well as appropriate documentation, labeling and traceback procedures are rigorously adhered to. Seed harvest is one of several peek times that may require availability for longer workdays and/or longer work weeks.
• Assist in crew oversight and coordination including start and day finish management, maintenance of their supplies and equipment, ensure that they are adhering to mandated tasks in a safe and appropriate manner while adhering to all OSHA and Labor standards.  This will require the ability to adapt to variability in hours to meet the needs and timing of crew activities and the ability to respond to changes in timing and scheduling at last minute pending varying conditions including weather, irrigation and/or pest application issues. 
• Assist in maintenance of equipment, irrigation, and fertility systems required and used by seed operations.
• Must provide complete, appropriate, and timely documentation for all areas of responsibility including but not limited to crew hours, research/experiment documentation, scouting and spray notification and reports, harvest documentation and seed labeling, tags and labels and identifier stakes, safety inspections and reports and equipment use and maintenance logs.
• As an integral member of the Duda seed operations and research team, involvement and contribution to the overall team effort is required.  This will include involvement in team discussions, inputs and designs, project evaluation, product development, SOP creation and overall improvement in quality for every aspect of our operations.  The overarching goal is to improve the seed operations and research teams’ performance to provide Duda Farm Fresh Foods with improved product and quality that will allow improved production, product quality, sales, and marketing opportunities. This will include aiding with other team members as help is required and other duties as assigned.
• Follow all safety work practices by following safety rules and regulations.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Must use all required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
• Must be able to work without directions and stay productive.
• Must be able to work weekends.
• Must be able to work overtime when requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience and Qualification

• One (1) or more years – BS degree preferred or AS degree with two (2) years related agricultural Production (Crop Science, or related fields) experience preferred.
• Valid CA Driver's License required.
• Capable to get a qualified applicators license required.
• Experienced in Microsoft Office Suit preferred.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free work environment.

We offer an excellent benefit package as part of our total compensation including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401K, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement program, paid time off and much more.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Additional Information

• Work Location: In person.
• Working environment will include office, warehouse, cold room, laboratory, and field.
• Bilingual preferred but not required.
• Works well on own and in a team environment.
• Must be able to interact with external contacts: labor contractors, vendors, service providers, nurseries, and contract growers.
• Must be able to lift to 80 lbs.
• Regular climbing, stooping, and bending required.
• Overnight travel may be required.
• Qualified applicator's certificate to be earned within 6 months.
• Experience with trailer-hauling preferred and ability to learn to pull trailers and equipment will be required within 6 months. 
• Required to train for and obtain forklift certification within 6 months.
• Availability to be contacted after hours for next day’s activity and crew coordination or emergency response.
• Must be willing to work outside of normal business hours (8:00AM-5:00PM) and weekends when necessary.

Duda is an equal opportunity employer.  We offer a full benefit package, competitive wages, and career advancement.  No agencies please.