Job Description: Farm Director

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Schedule: Extended weekday hours Monday-Friday. Weekend oversight and coverage as needed.

Why Join Our Team?
We're building more than a farm—at Hundred Acre, we're helping shape the future of fresh food. As a growing hydroponic operation, we value people who enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and adapting in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. If you're excited by the opportunity to make a real impact, grow alongside the business, and contribute to producing fresh, high-quality food, you'll find meaningful work here.

Position Summary

The Farm Director is responsible for the overall operation, management, and growth of a hydroponic farming startup. This hands-on leadership role oversees all aspects of the business, from crop production and facility operations to inventory, order fulfillment, and administrative functions.

This role requires an individual who is committed to building systems that support the long-term growth and scalability of the business—it requires packing customer orders, troubleshooting equipment, maintaining records, developing systems, and handling administrative responsibilities. The successful candidate will possess an entrepreneurial mindset, exceptional organizational skills, and a willingness to perform whatever tasks are necessary to ensure the success of the operation.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Farm Systems & Crop Production

• Oversee all hydroponic growing systems and environmental controls.
• Manage all stages of crop production from seed to harvest.
• Monitor plant health, nutrition, irrigation, lighting, climate control, and integrated pest management.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production.
• Troubleshoot system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Continuously improve production efficiency, yield, and quality.

Seed-to-Sale Operations

• Plan production schedules based on sales forecasts.
• Coordinate seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and crop rotation.
• Ensure product traceability throughout the production cycle.
• Maintain food safety and quality assurance standards.
• Monitor product consistency and shelf-life.

Packing, Fulfillment & Retail Operations

• Manage harvesting schedules to fulfill customer orders.
• Oversee washing, packaging, labeling, and order preparation.
• Coordinate deliveries and retail inventory.
• Ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and on schedule.
• Maintain presentation standards for retail products.

Farm Supply & Procurement

• Source and purchase seeds, nutrients, growing media, packaging materials, and operational supplies.
• Maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Monitor pricing and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure adequate inventory levels while minimizing waste.

Operational Management & Administration

• Lead daily operational planning and execution.
• Develop workflows and operational procedures.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for farm operations.
• Prepare operational reports and performance metrics.
• Assist ownership with strategic planning and business development initiatives.

Inventory Management

• Maintain inventory records across all operational categories.
• Coordinate inventory counts and reconciliations.
• Manage inventory software and reporting systems.
• Track production inputs and finished goods.
• Reduce inventory shrinkage and waste.

Facility Management

• Oversee maintenance of the greenhouse, grow rooms, equipment, and facilities.
• Schedule preventative maintenance.
• Coordinate repairs with contractors and service providers.
• Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Workforce Oversight & Administration

• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise farm employees.
• Develop employee schedules and labor planning.
• Monitor employee performance and productivity.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain personnel records and assist with HR administration.
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety policies and employment regulations.

General Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain operational documentation and records.
• Assist with budgeting and expense tracking.
• Coordinate meetings and communicate with ownership.
• Manage licensing, certifications, and required compliance documentation.
• Perform miscellaneous administrative tasks necessary for daily operations.

Leadership Responsibilities: The Farm Director serves as the operational leader of the farm and is expected to:

• Build systems and processes suitable for a growing startup.
• Make sound operational decisions with limited supervision.
• Prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Lead by example through active participation in daily farm operations.
• Identify operational improvements and implement scalable solutions.
• Adapt quickly to changing business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in production, manufacturing, operations, greenhouse operations, or another fast-paced operational environment.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, coordinating daily operations, and driving accountability, productivity and continuous improvement.
• Experience working in a small, rapidly growing business.
• Experience building, improving, or scaling operational process and systems.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to analyze operational data and make informed decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and inventory management software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and ability to perform hands-on operational work alongside the team when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Agribusiness, Business Management, or a related field
• Knowledge of hydroponic systems, crop production, irrigation, and environmental controls.
• Experience in greenhouse, hydroponic, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), commercial farming, or another plant production environment.
• Experience with startup or entrepreneurial environments.
• Familiarity with food safety programs (GAP, FSMA, HACCP, or similar).
• Mechanical aptitude for equipment troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Experience in food production, produce, wholesale, fulfillment, or other perishable-production operations.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform repetitive physical tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to work in greenhouse and warehouse environments with varying temperatures and humidity.
• Ability to safely operate farm equipment and tools.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee of this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Application Question(s):

• This is an entrepreneurial and growing business. Share your experience working in a similar environment.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• leadership/management: 5 years (Required)
• production, manufacturing, or operations: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person