- Office in Louisa
Description
About Equinox Growers
Equinox Growers, a Taylor Farms company, is a leading indoor agricultural operation specializing in the commercial cultivation of leafy greens using advanced hydroponic greenhouse technology. Operating a 15-acre facility in Louisa, Virginia, we produce millions of pounds of fresh, high-quality lettuce annually for customers throughout the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic region.
As part of Taylor Farms — North America’s largest producer of fresh-cut salads and healthy fresh foods — we combine the agility of a dedicated CEA operation with the scale, resources, and customer reach of an industry leader.
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead our pack line operations and second shift team. This role is the operational hub of our facility — coordinating daily between the greenhouse/growing team, sales and logistics, and the pack line to ensure every order ships complete, on time, and to spec. The Production Manager owns pack line throughput, labor productivity, quality, and food safety outcomes for their shift, while serving as the primary point of contact for second shift operations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, perishable food environment, communicates clearly across functions, and knows how to develop a shift team that runs the line safely and efficiently night after night.
Requirements
What You’ll Do
Pack Line & Production
• Own daily pack line operations including staffing, line setup, changeovers, throughput, and order completion against the daily pack schedule
• Drive labor productivity, yield, and OEE on the pack line; identify and eliminate bottlenecks and downtime drivers
• Ensure finished product meets customer specifications for pack configuration, weight, code dating, labeling (including Walmart/GS1 SSCC pallet label compliance), and quality standards
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready pack room at all times
Second Shift Leadership
• Serve as the primary leader for second shift, including team supervision, performance management, coaching, and development of line leads and operators
• Conduct shift start-up meetings, manage break coverage and staffing gaps, and close out the shift with clean handoffs to first shift
• Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, scheduling, attendance, and disciplinary matters for second shift team members
• Build a safety-first, accountable shift culture with clear expectations and consistent follow-through
Cross-Functional Coordination
• Coordinate daily with the Head Grower and greenhouse team on harvest timing, volume, and quality to align supply with the pack schedule
• Partner with Sales and Customer Service on order commitments, short/over situations, special pack requests, and customer-specific requirements
• Work closely with Logistics on shipping windows, trailer loading, and carrier coordination
• Communicate production status, constraints, and issues clearly and proactively to the Plant Manager and leadership team
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
• Ensure full adherence to SQF, FSMA Produce Safety Rule, GMPs, and all company food safety and sanitation SOPs
• Support internal and third-party audits; own corrective actions for findings within your area
• Enforce PPE, lockout/tagout, and general safety standards; lead shift-level safety conversations and incident response
What We’re Looking For
• 5+ years of production or operations management experience in fresh produce, food manufacturing, or another perishable, high-throughput environment
• Proven track record managing a shift team of 20+ hourly associates, including line leads
• Manage Second Shift Employees including scheduling, breaks, and overtime.
• Strong working knowledge of pack line equipment, changeovers, and throughput improvement (lean / continuous improvement experience a plus)
• Familiarity with GFSI-scheme food safety programs (SQF preferred), FSMA, GMPs, and retail customer requirements; experience with Walmart, Costco, or similar retail specifications a plus
• Comfortable with production planning and reporting tools; able to read and act on daily production, yield, and labor reports
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
• Strong communicator who can move quickly between the floor, the grower’s office, and a sales call without losing the thread
• Available to work second shift hours consistently, with flexibility for occasional weekends, holidays, and coverage across shifts as needed
Work Environment
• Large-scale commercial greenhouse and attached pack room with controlled climate, refrigerated areas, and automated production lines
• Mix of warm/humid greenhouse conditions and cold (typically 34–40°F) pack and cooler areas; exposure to water, sanitation chemicals, and approved crop protection materials
• Standing, walking, and working around automated equipment, forklifts, and pallet jacks throughout the shift
Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Frequent walking and standing across the pack room and greenhouse throughout the shift
• Ability to work in refrigerated environments for extended periods
• Visual acuity sufficient to inspect product quality and pack line output
Benefits
- Full-time, stable employment in an essential food production industry
- Opportunity to develop leadership skills in a fast paced, growing organization.
- Team-focused, safety-first culture
- Make an impact by helping deliver fresh, high-quality produce to customers nationwide
- Health Insurance
- 401k
- Paid Time Off
- Performance Bonuses
