Plant Operations Manager

About the Role

Hundred Acre is an urban farm in the heart of Milwaukee focused on providing rapid response solutions to food insecurity through consistent, premium greens grown year-round. The farm integrates workforce development and student apprenticeship programs, creating hands-on pathways from STEM education into ag-tech careers. A consortium of growers, technologists, and community partners supports Hundred Acre as a sustainable local business that strengthens community food systems. By supplying the freshest possible greens to local food businesses, Hundred Acre helps buyers increase local sourcing, bolster supply-chain resilience, and support green infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily farm production and facility operations
• Manage plant growth cycles and monitor environmental controls
• Ensure product quality standards are consistently met
• Coordinate staff schedules and supervise training for workforce development and apprentices
• Enforce safety and compliance procedures
• Collaborate with growers and technologists to optimize systems
• Track performance metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives
• Support inventory management and vendor coordination
• Participate in operational planning to meet demand from local food business partners

Qualifications

• Experience in plant or farm operations management, including oversight of production workflows and facility systems
• Knowledge of controlled environment agriculture, horticulture, or related ag-tech methods, with a focus on quality and efficiency
• Skills in team leadership, staff scheduling, and training, particularly in workforce development or apprenticeship settings
• Ability to implement and monitor safety, compliance, and sanitation standards in an operational environment
• Competence in using basic digital tools and data tracking systems to analyze operations, productivity, and resource use
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the capacity to coordinate across partners and departments
• Experience working with or supplying local food businesses, distributors, or community partners is beneficial
• Relevant education or equivalent experience in agriculture, environmental science, operations management, or a related field is preferred