Job Overview
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Harvest Supervisor to lead and oversee the harvesting operations on our farm. In this vital role, you will coordinate the timely and efficient harvesting of crops, ensuring quality standards are met while maintaining safety protocols. Your leadership will inspire a team of harvest workers, optimize machinery use, and uphold best practices in crop handling and farm maintenance. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable farming practices, contributing directly to the success of our agricultural operations.
Job Responsibilities
The Harvest Supervisor will be responsible for:
· Be a contributing member of the SQF Team
- Ensuring subordinates follow company Food Safety Plan (SQF Code)
- Ensure all employees are conforming to the hygiene GMP’s as set out by the SQF Practitioner
- Food Safety and Quality concerns must be immediately addressed with SQF Practitioner
- Complete SQF checklists as required
· Assist with Orientation of all new employees, & On-going training of current employees on how to properly harvest mushrooms, quality standards, SQF standards etc.
· Ensure employees follow Health and Safety procedures (i.e. PPE and GMP policies)
· Ensure a safe work environment is maintained in the harvest rooms and halls by keeping them free of debris and ensuring the harvesters are practicing safe picking techniques
· Complete Deviation Reports and be involved with Corrective Actions & Investigations
· Complete checks of the rooms on an on-going basis to ensure you are maximizing harvest opportunities with the current staffing levels
· Ensure that the Floorwalkers & Harvesters are completing tasks on time, within the requirements set by the department and SQF Practitioner
· Track attendance and exceptions to regular scheduled work; assist employees in completed time off requests and submit to Human Resources. Work with Human Resources to resolve attendance related issues.
· Provide daily organization of the Harvest Department in such a way to achieve maximum yields and quality
· Quality control – auditing harvested product, testing to ensure product meets quality standards
· Ensure all production gets to the coolers as quickly as possible to achieve best possible quality
· Scanning barcodes to record harvester data
· Ensure a safe work environment is maintained in the harvest rooms and halls by keeping them free of debris and ensuring the harvesters are practicing safe picking techniques (e.g. pickers shall not work under a trolley).
· Estimate production on the mornings and before shifts ends on daily basis
· Communicating key information to the President/Owner, Harvest Manager and Sales Manager daily
· Other tasks as assigned by the President/Owner, Farm Manager and HR Manager, & SQF and Health & Safety
Elemental Job Components
As outlined below, the job requires a lot of manual labour. There is extensive walking, standing, bending and lifting involved.
1. Talk to Farm Manager and Packing & Weighing Supervisor(s) regarding harvest requirements to fill customer orders.
2. Check the picking rooms to determine which rooms need to be harvested and how many employees will be assigned to each room.
3. Ensure that the appropriate supplies are placed outside and inside of the room.
4. At 7:00 am allow the mushroom harvesters to start picking. Hand out assigned knives directly to pickers and record.
5. Make sure all employees wear hairnets, bump caps and belts if picking from a trolley.
Quality Control
1. Ensure the harvesters start picking the large mushrooms first.
2. Thin out or pick all big medium mushrooms. Talk to Manger of Sales and Packing/Weighing Supervisor(s) about picking all the big medium. (This depends on sales and quality.)
3. Once all big medium mushrooms are properly picked, start thinning out all medium and buttons.
4. When all medium and buttons are picked, assure that there are no long stem mushrooms left on the bed.
5. When the harvest is complete for the day, talk to Farm Manager and Packing/Weighing Supervisor(s) about the following day’s orders.
6. Make sure you have enough harvesters & floorwalkers for the following harvest day.
7. Ensure all pickers practice appropriate picking techniques, the mushrooms are properly sorted according to size and quality and the mushroom beds are cleaned up. Any problems are to be reported to the Harvest Manager or President/Owner.
Grade and Sizing
Make sure of the following:
· The sizing in the trays or boxes is correct
· #2’s and opens are not in the same boxes
· #2’s are not mixed in the trays
· Buttons and small mediums are not mixed in a button box
· No stems are put in the boxes/trays
· Harvesters are not throwing mushrooms or bruising them
Hours of Work
The shift begins daily at 6:30 am for supervisors and ends when the rooms are harvested for the day dependent on what is needed for sales. There are no guaranteed hours - Hours fluctuate depending on production.
· Paid Breaks – one 15min. mid-morning and one 15min. mid-afternoon
· Unpaid Lunch – one 30min. as scheduled
· Days off Tuesday/Wednesday
Special Equipment
· Steel-toed C.S.A. approved footwear must be worn while on duty.
· Sterile gloves and hairnets are required which are supplied by the company
· Casual clothing (e.g. Blue jeans, track pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts) are generally worn. No shirts with cut-off sleeves or tops exposing the mid-riff are allowed.
· WHIMIS, SQF & Health and Safety training is to be completed annually.
Job Qualifications
· 2 or more years supervisor experience required
· 2 or more years farm experience required
· Able to lift and carry 10 to 20 lbs
· Computer knowledge (Windows, Excel, Word)
· Good organizational skills
· Positivity in interactions with employees
Environment
The average temperature for the growing rooms is 18 degrees Celsius (approx. 67°F). The rooms are slightly damp due to watering which occurs at night. Mushrooms are 99% water. Except for the picking lights, the rooms are dark (no windows or natural lighting). Each room is equipped with its own computer-operated temperature controls which control the humidity, temperature and air-flow.
Rate of Pay
$23.00 per hour.
- The Harvest Department Supervisor must also report to work on Statutory Holidays unless booked off due to the nature of business. Besides time and ½ for hours worked, the individual will be paid public holiday pay calculated as per the ESA.
Pay: $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Blenheim, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- Supervising: 2 years (preferred)
- Farming: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
