SodStar (Operated by Buy Sod) , a multi-state agribusiness company with sod farms in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee is currently seeking to hire an experienced and motivated Full Time Specialty Turf Manager to join our team at our Eagle Springs, NC. Location.

Position Benefits:

• 90% company paid single medical coverage.
• Medical Dental and Vision single and family coverages available
• Employee and Family supplemental life insurance options
• 401k with company match
• Paid time off
• 9 Paid holidays
• 
  

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversee Specialty Crew and ensure all employees are operating within safety parameters.
• Support Farm Manager in all aspects of employee scheduling to include accountability for working hours, overtime, PTO/ other scheduled time off (to include number of employees who can be out concurrently).
• Ensure that any person operating a piece of equipment has been properly trained on how to safely operate each piece of equipment wearing all required PPE on a daily basis.
• Ensure each Specialty Crew member under his/her supervision does all pre-start checks (oil, hydraulic, water, clean air filters, etc.) and any necessary preventive maintenance.
• Ensure daily that all Specialty equipment is functioning properly and working at optimum conditions and work with Farm Mechanic and vendor equipment technicians to troubleshoot any issues.
• Depending on workloads, weather/field conditions, staffing, etc. must be able to assist in different departments as instructed by Farm Manager.
• Partner with Sod Central for: HR, Accounting, Logistics, Sales & IT for shared service needs.

Specialty Turf Specific

• Ensure proper Specialty Grass cultural practices are met (verticut, koro, etc.)
• Ensure proper maintenance is met for Specialty Grass mowing equipment (reel mowers, blade sharpness, bed knives etc.)
• Ensure proper Specialty Grass soil type (sand based and rock free).
• Specialty Production
• Regularly inspect fields for problem areas and report to Farm Manager.
• Perform in season/as needed soil, nematode and tissue samples in stressed/weak areas and applies foliar/granular application of deficient nutrients as recommended.
• Review soil samples with Farm Manager.
• Communicate field harvest status to Farm Manager.
• Ensure that roads, field edges, loading areas, pivot points, pump areas and dry corners are clean and maintained.
• Maintain primary responsibility for mowing parameters and schedule.
• Ensure proper mower maintenance (blade sharpness), HOC (height of cut) and mowing frequency as required by grass classification.
• Coordinate/perform regular planting maintenance (burn down, pre-plant inspection, disking, pre-plant variable rate fertilizer, cultivating, leveling, rolling planting, pre-emerge herbicide application, netting, etc).
  Coordinate/Aerify and roll harvested areas in coordination with fertilizer and lime applications. Adhere to field reclamation process in conjunction with Harvest Manager.
• Purchase and maintain proper fertilizer and chemical inventory within budget guidelines.
• Manage and coordinate fertility/chemical applications according to annual plan outline and as needed for weed/pest control.
• Ensure pesticide records within Department of Agriculture regulations and PPE for applicators are properly maintained.
• Ensure proper disposal of containers in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Manage and coordinate irrigation on specialty grass.
• Ensure proper maintenance/repairs for farm irrigation systems (pivots, pumps, etc.)
• Properly manage water supply and proactively report any potential concerns.
• Request purchase orders for parts and supplies and submit them to Farm manager for approval.

Specialty Harvest

• Communicate any quality issues (weeds, water, tensile strength, pests, mowing, scalping and paint) to Farm Management.
• Monitor harvest availability and pallet weights and ensure information is promptly communicated to support, logistics and sales staff.
• Ensure proper HOC (height of cut) for variety and purpose on outgoing product.
• Ensure proper ½ inch soil pad unless otherwise specified.
  Perform regular quality control inspections of harvested sod, to include correct roll length, pallet presentation, flags in sod.
• Support Farm Manager and Harvest Manager with Daily Harvest Reporting process as requested.
• Coordinate and manage the field reclamation process = clean, scrape and warlord/koro to prepare fields for aerification, lime, fertilizer, etc. working in conjunction with Farm Management.
• Ensure “cut-ahead” process is leveraged in winter season. Harvest amount to be determined by Regional Management.

Position Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in agriculture or the turf industry preferred.
• Previous experience in a leadership/management role preferred.
• Previous experience in specialty grass cultivation preferred.
• Values relationships and results.
• Must demonstrate ability to be a team player and build positive working relationships with others.
• Ability to be physically/consistently present for critical onsite collaboration.
• Ability to communicate effectively and keep business records.
• Ability to discern what issues need to be brought to upper management.
• Ability to understand the concept and consequences of grass cross contamination.
• Working knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions of the profession.
• Basic technology skills and ability to learn/utilize company software programs.
• Must have attention to detail and the ability to assert ideas, solve problems, communicate issues and positive experiences.
• Ability to work flexible hours to include, but not limited to, early AM/PM, nights and weekends and hours that could fluctuate day-to-day.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions required.
• Ability to sit, climb and balance as well as bend and kneel frequently.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds or more occasionally. Twisting with weight as needed.
• Manual dexterity, coordination and constant movement and use of limbs required.

To apply: Resumes should be sent to HumanResources@buysod.com or apply online at www.SodStar.com/careers/