Our client is a leading Agri-tech company developing an autonomous robotic system which automates
and scales precision agriculture solutions, while ensuring a carbon and biodiversity positive
operation. Their robots offer solutions to several problems for farmers. They also collect data and
develop data products, offering new solutions to major farming problems, like predicting yield with
better accuracy.
Founded in 2016, the company has grown into an international team of around 50
people, with offices also in Great Britain and the US, California.
On their behalf, our firm seeks an experienced Operations Manager who will play a pivotal role in
driving the operational service delivery, ensuring the successful implementation of their robotic
products and services, and customer success.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations management, having headed time-
critical services delivery in highly automated / machinery industries, or in the agricultural industry, preferably with experience in leading and scaling machinery and technology-driven businesses.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for preparations, deployment of robots, operations, and customer success with
customers across the Central Valley in California providing robot services to leading BERRY AND
WINEGRAPE GROWERS in 2025. - Prepare all sites for operations, including infrastructure (charging, storage, safety),
network/connectivity, mapping and testing, and alignment with growers on preparation of the
fields (discing, mowing, etc.) - Establish and maintain detailed treatment schedules and treatment delivery for all fields,
- Alignment with third-party labor providers
- Responsible for hiring field workers and then transitioning towards labor-free
operations - Responsible for field service and maintenance, as well as service over the winter season
- Drive proactive and preemptive field and operations mitigation of problem
- Responsible for operational customer contact and customer success, including capturing
structured and regular customer feedback - Responsible to systematically standardize and automate all processes possible to enable
operational scaling across California and markets globally
Profile:
- Structured person with documented experience and preference to build systems and
(documented) procedures and standards - Proactive management of issues (ahead of consequences impacting customers)
- Prefer and see value of working systematically and structurally
- 5+years’ experience in managing a service and installation organization, including 3rd party
management - Operations experience in agriculture with demonstrated ability to solve problems
remotely - Proven track record in ensuring machinery / systems run reliably and efficiently with customers
- Candidate will likely have technical education
with degree-level education, and preferably Masters - Ability to provide feedback to product development and “be in the shoes of the customer.”
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills towards customers and internal/external
stakeholders - Focus is first on California viticulture and berries, with opportunity to expand to new crops and
geographies in line with business growth
Additional information:
You will report to the General Manager US and be part of the extended management team. The position
is located in the US, California. Some business travel is to be expected.
Compensation 135-150K range.
For immediate and confidential consideration. Email resume to Steve Stebbins, Stebbins and Associates, or call Steve directly at 209-914-9988.