THE ORGANIZATION
Our client, The Little Potato Company, began its journey in 1996 with the owners (Jacob and Angela – father and daughter) wanting to be able to produce little creamer potatoes, like what Jacob knew from his Dutch roots. They grew their first acre by hand; planting, weeding, harvesting, and washing it themselves. They then packed them into the back of Angela’s hatchback, setting off to farmers markets and restaurants. The potatoes were popular with chefs early on, with one of their first accounts being the Banff Springs Hotel. Jacob and Angela bought their first plant in 2000 and with their continued success, have expanded to increasingly larger facilities over the years with their current production facility located in west Edmonton. With further expansion and growth across Canada and into the United States, LPC partnered with a co-packing plant in PEI and opened a second production plant in DeForest, Wisconsin. Today, Angela leads the organization as CEO and Jacob runs a research and breeding company for little potatoes. The Little Potato Company has grown to have products on store shelves in every Province in Canada and State in the United States and operates with over 360 employees across Canada and the United States.

The Little Potato Company continues to experience growth year over year and continue to be the market leading producer of Creamer potatoes. They continue to set their sights high with their purpose being to “Save the Potato. Feed the World, better” where “everyone, everywhere deserves to have healthy, great food”. At The Little Potato Company, they believe in living by a set of deeply held core values representing both their history and how they strive to live every day to make the world a better place. The core values that guide their corporate family are:

Importance of Family:  We are a family-based Company and since our prime support comes from our family, we encourage a healthy work-life balance. We honour the place that family has in our employees’ lives.

Go Beyond:  We acknowledge that employees come to us with their own experience and resources.  We support and encourage our employees to go beyond what they bring, beyond what they envision they can do, and certainly beyond a mere job description. We trust in our employees’ passion and creativity so that they can extend themselves not just for the Company, but for themselves.

Elevate others:  We are a diverse and inclusive work environment that embraces new ideas and ways of doing. When we enhance another by recognizing their skills and expertise we contribute to an overall feeling of worth.

Down To Earth:  We are approachable and recognize the common humanity of all.  We do not pretend to be other than what we are. Whether we are in the office, in the plant, in the field or with a customer we are approachable, genuine, and warm.

Do What You Say:  We walk our talk. Being honest and impeccable really means that we waste no time in pretending, glossing over, or making unfounded promises.  We are reliable, accountable and our words communicate an actual reality

It is a great time to join The Little Potato Company as they continue to grow and be a North American producer of their unique, healthy, and delicious Little Potatoes! For further information on The Little Potato Company, please visit their website at www.littlepotatoes.com.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Director of Field Production, the Western Regional Field Production Manager will be responsible for managing business relationships that foster the overall continuous improvement of both creamer and seed potatoes across Southern Alberta, Central Alberta & Saskatchewan. The primary focus of this role is to ensure the correct quantity and quality of raw potatoes is supplied to the Edmonton packing facility at the right time and at the right cost. The Western Regional Field Production Manager will work closely with contract growers and LPC Agronomy and Manufacturing teams to ensure that the Field Production Plan is precisely executed. This will include but not be limited to hitting annual as well as 3 – 5 year field production priorities and KPI’s, to ensure a year round supply of raw product for the Edmonton packing facility.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain Farmer business relationships.
• Build and execute potato production plans as required by sales forecasts.
• Responsible for management of the field budget.
• Responsible for Seed Management and allocation of seed planning.
• Lead the seed grower and creamer grower contract negotiations.
• Assist in implementation of the LPC grower contract and contract signing.
• Monitor and manage the incoming raw potatoes arriving at the Edmonton packing facility.
• Manage the Edmonton bin-sampling program, summarize and report on all quality data.
• Manage the grade for payment process and production contract.
• Reconcile and correlate grade for payment with actual pack-outs.
• Responsible to manage potato costs in the region.
• Oversee Grower recruitment and conduct annual farm reviews.
• Participate in weekly sales supply meetings and update the team on the western production potato supply situation.
• Fully utilize the technical expertise of LPC’s Agronomy team to ensure field plan is precisely executed.
• Work closely with the Western Regional Agronomist to ensure consistent alignment on quality and quantity of raw product.
• Measure and report on western potato inventories on a weekly basis.
• Ensure Food Safety compliance by all western growers.
• Attend corporate agronomy training programs to ensure all departments are educated on Potato Best Management Practices.
• Manage operations of company potato storage utilizing technical expertise of the Regional Agronomist.
• Ensure compliance on all potato imports from other states and provinces.
• Follow company safety policies and promptly report any safety concerns to management.
• Assist and manage new commercial potato variety roll outs.
• Manage mid/long term potato production planning and timeframes.
• Assist LPC logistics team on inbound freight activity of raw product from other regions.
• Oversee Agronomy and Field Specialists and production planner schedulers.
• Support the sales, marketing and supply chain on potato movements and requirements
• Other duties may be assigned.

FIRST YEAR – MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• LPC has set a BHAG (“big hairy audacious goal”) as it relates to their yields, pack-out and quality. Work collaboratively as a team, both internally and with growers, to meet or exceed KPI targets.
• Build solid, trusting, respectful relationships with growers.
• Become a valued member of the North American Field Production team.
• Gain sound knowledge and application of the laws and regulations concerning seed and potato production, sale, and distribution.
• Adopt and live the values The Little Potato Company.

THE INDIVIDUAL
Given the pivotal role this individual will be expected to play in achieving the strategic objectives of the company and in supporting the success of the organization, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience, and attributes:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Business preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years experience in the agriculture industry.
• Minimum 5 years management experience.
• Supply chain management experience an asset.

Competencies and Knowledge

• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Effective time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to accurately appraise situations and make decisions; deal effectively and cooperatively with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Ability to manage staff and external consultants.
• Proficiency in the use of the computer and Microsoft office programs.
• Driver’s license required.
• Must be willing and able to travel approximately 30% within Alberta and Saskatchewan as required.

Personal Profile

• Self-starter
• Highly accountable
• Positive attitude and energy
• Confident with unquestioned personal and professional integrity
• Displays ethical leadership
• Respectful of others
• Leads by example
• Strategic and operational performer
• Collaborative
• Can build and maintain strong relationships
• Critical thinker with problem solving skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and without supervision
• A positive attitude when faced with adversarial situations
• Exhibits sound judgment

COMPENSATION
An excellent compensation package awaits the successful candidate.

LOCATION
Edmonton, Alberta or Southern Alberta

HOW TO APPLY
For the opportunity to join Little Potato Company in the role of Western Regional Field Production Manager, please email your resume to DreamBig@profoundtalent.com referencing Position ID #AMHI-826304.

Should you have an inquiry regarding this position, please contact Stacey Laing at 587-200-0114 ext. 104.

For further information on ProFound Talent Inc. please visit: www.profoundtalent.com.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

ProFound Talent is a woman owned and operated business, recognized and certified by Women Business Enterprise (WBE). We pride ourselves in supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in our recruitment processes and in our work environment, where every individual feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals to which you may confidentially share your accommodation needs at time of application. We will adjust our processes to ensure you have an inclusive, fair, and respectful experience that allows you to represent yourself in your unique and most authentic way.

* We thank all applicants for your submissions, however only candidates being considered for this role will be contacted. *