Saco River Farms is hiring for the following positions:
- Seasonal Farm Help
- Dairy Manager
- Organic Vegetable Production Manager
- Retail Store Manager
- Other positions available, please inquire.
Scroll down for more detailed information. To apply please send resume and cover letter to info@sacoriverfarms.com
Seasonal Part time positions at Saco River Farms:
Barn Assistant:
Barn Assistants at Saco River Farms help insure that our animals are treated to the best stable conditions we can give them. Duties may include:
- feeding goats, pigs, chickens, ducks
- stall maintenance
- compost management
- barn maintenance
- fence/paddock maintenance
10-20 hours per week, $13-15/hour based upon experience and performance. Flexible hours. Employee discounts.
Dairy/Creamery Assistant:
As a dairy/creamery assistant at Saco River Farms you will help us produce the best goat’s milk products in the state of Maine! Ideal individuals for this position are those who:
- love animals, especially goats
- are comfortable working closely around large animals
- understand that while we love our goats, these animals have a specific role to play. We expect both our human team members and our goats to be respectful that there is a time to work and a time to play. Those looking for a job playing with goats should respectfully volunteer instead.
- are physically capable of lifting 60 lbs repeated.
- are hard workers and have cheerful attitude.
- understand this is a food related business and as such must be diligent about cleanliness and food safety at all times.
- Can work well supervised or unsupervised, alone or with a team.
15-25 hours per week, $13-19/hour based upon experience and performance. Flexible hours. Employee discounts.
Produce Assistant:
Produce assistants at Saco River Farms help with all aspects of growing organic seedlings, vegetables and fruits. Duties include: Seeding, bed maintenance and weeding, planting, harvesting and packing. Ideal individuals for this position are those who:
- Enjoy working with plants and food.
- are physically capable of lifting 60 lbs repeated.
- are hard workers and have cheerful attitude.
- understand this is a food related business and as such must be diligent about cleanliness and food safety at all times.
- Can work well supervised or unsupervised, alone or with a team.
15-30 hours per week, $13-19/hour based upon experience and performance. Flexible hours. Employee discounts.
Dairy Manager Position
We’re hiring in Maine for a full-time, year-round, Dairy Farm Manager for an established goat dairy operation. We are looking for an individual with prior dairy farm experience who will be able to contribute at a management level while learning our operations. This role is ideal for motivated entrepreneurs seeking future business partnerships as well as an ownership opportunity as we transition to an employee owned company.
In this role you would be in a hands-on management position overseeing daily operations, herd health and productivity, milk quality, employee and pasture management on a licensed dairy farm. You would be focused on monitoring the performance numbers to produce high quality milk with optimum goat health. You would continually adjust for pasture management, goat handling procedures or animal care to improve the numbers.
- Oversee daily tasks of the dairy operations and pasture
- Engage daily with owner/operator or manager on prioritization of tasks and any herd health concerns
- Manage employee/ Apprentices as needed
- Maintain accurate record keeping for herd and crops
- Manage pastures and soils for ideal health and goat performance according to organic standards
- Maintain herd health and productivity including giving vaccinations and managing sick goats
- Daily milking with attention to quality and procedure
- Perform heat detection and breeding
- Manage Kidding and kid health
- Perform general daily farm work including feeding, scraping, cleaning and basic maintenance of equipment and facilities
- Maintain general upkeep and cleanliness of house, lawn, farmstead, buildings, fencing and land
- Prepare farm for state and federal inspections
Organic Vegetable Production Manager
Saco River Farms is looking for an experienced Organic Vegetable Production Manager to play a crucial role on our small farm crew. We’re seeking applicants that are serious about their farming career, ready to make a long-term commitment. The Vegetable Production Manager organizes and oversees the seeding, planting, and harvesting of 2 acres of organic vegetable crops. This is a full-time/year-round position that encompasses the full cycle of winter-time crop planning all the way through to the reward of harvest. You will take part in all levels of vegetable production, working closely with farm owners and in a leadership role on our small crew.
Key Responsibilities:
Growing Season Leadership Roles:
- Organize work flow
- Plan and implement greenhouse seeding and field planting schedule
- Maintain records on planting, weeding, watering times, harvest times and yields.
- Periodically, conduct field walks, communicate findings and work plan to all staff. Schedule tractor work, and prioritize weekly field activities.
- Communicate with wholesale accounts about weekly availability and take orders.
- Compile weekly farmers’ market, and store wholesale orders and set up harvest lists.
Growing Season Support roles:
- Transplanting, remay fabric, weeding, harvesting and irrigation.
- Washing, packing, and storing produce for market, wholesale, and farmers’ markets.
- Help train new crew members to harvest, wash, and pack produce according to the farm’s efficiency and quality standards.
- Help train new crew members in food safety standards and monitor.
- Assist with staffing needs at our market as well as farmers’ markets.
Winter Leadership roles:
- Analyze production data from the season
- Develop crop plan and prepare seed order.
- Cover Crop plan and seed order
- Develop soil amendment plan, source materials, and prepare amendment order.
- Research, inventory, and purchase tools & supplies for the growing season.
- Develop SOP Manual for crew training
Skills & Qualifications:
- Minimum 3 years of vegetable farm production or comparable experience
- Minimum 2 years crew leadership experience
- Basic small engine operation and tractor experience
- Proficiency with computer (Excel, Google Docs, email, crop planning apps)
- Physical dexterity and agility
- Ability to give direction and perform in a leadership capacity
- Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity, and accept constructive feedback on work
- Excellent communicator
- Positive, energetic interpersonal skills
- Work well independently and in a team setting
- Good problem-solving skills
- Excellent observation skills, consistent attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to prioritize endless to do list
- Ability to be flexible
- Fast, adaptable learner
Retail Store Manager
Company description: Saco River Farms Market is a small chain of specialty natural foods stores dedicated entirely to craft products: craft spirits; organic and sustainable wines; farmstead cheeses and charcuterie; farm fresh produce, meats and eggs; spices, breads, coffees, teas and pantry items. We hand select artisan products from across America and around the world for their dedication to the craft, their incredible flavors and fusions, natural ingredients and beautiful packaging. Our goal is to be a brand ambassador for these smaller brands, sharing their unique stories, and bringing many of them to Maine for the first time.
Job description:
This is the perfect position for an innovative, results-oriented professional who is a motivated leader and can guide their team to provide exceptional customer service experiences.
The perfect candidate will have:
- 3+ years management experience in a retail environment, ideally specialty food or grocery
- A knowledge of wine and/or spirits is preferred
- Excellent customer service and supervisory skills
- Strong understanding of overall store operations
- Self-starter with strong leadership skills
- Excellent in-person and digital communication skills
- A demonstrated interest in learning about and sharing knowledge of the specialty products we sell
Duties:
- Oversee the start up and operation of a brand new retail location
- Drive profitable operation of store, supervising a small team of full and part-time staff members
- Demonstrate exceptional customer service, engagement and approachability to build relationships and maximize repeat visits
- Manage store’s inventory through successful operation of POS system and strong communication with Warehouse Manager
- Supervise the performance and development of team ensure efficient operation of department
- Communicate with and report to Head of Retail, Warehouse Manager, and Owners as required
- Develop deep knowledge of product and help coordinate in-store tastings and other education opportunities for both customers and team to improve customer service and propel product movement
- Oversee store’s opening and closing procedures to ensure the security and safety of the business and its staff
- Manage communication with outside vendors and reps as directed
- Assist with visual merchandising and overall store appearance
REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to walk and be on feet for 10 hours a day
- Ability to bend, climb ladders & lift 50 lbs overhead repeatedly
- Availability on days, nights and weekends
COMPENSATION:
- Competitive salary, plus a 30% employee discount on all items products sold in-store (craft liquor, beer and wine included)
- This position is salaried, 40k to 70k
- Opportunities for advancement and future employee ownership