Inventory/Quality Assurance Manager
- Date Posted February 23, 2025
- Location Sweet Home, OR
- Category Agriculture / Production
- Job type Full-Time
Company description
Adaptive Seeds is a certified organic seed company located in rural Linn County, Oregon, about 45 minutes from Eugene and Corvallis. We grow more than 75% of the varieties we sell, and believe that open pollination encourages diversity and resilience. We are passionate about Bringing Biodiversity Back to farms and gardens by stewarding diverse seed varieties that we distribute through our website and regional seed racks. We see locally adapted seed as a foundation of the resilient local food systems that we are helping to create.
We are a small, farm-based business, and our offices are located in a rural agricultural setting. Our small team consists of two founders, a Seed Inventory / Quality Assurance Manager, an Order Fulfillment Manager, two full time, year round crew members who rotate seasonally from field work to order fulfillment, with 1-2 additional part-time seasonal crew members as needed. We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive environment that values communication, respect, and collaboration.
Job description
This is a full-time, year round, onsite office/warehouse position and is a key leadership role. The Seed Inventory / Quality Assurance Manager will track and manage our inventory of over 625 varieties as well as generate and analyze sales reports in order to make informed inventory decisions. They will ensure optimal seed quality through record keeping, seed testing, and auditing. They will work collaboratively with our team to maintain seed integrity, improve operational processes, and ensure effective communication.
Responsibilities:
- Manage product inventory including timely and accurate intake processing of all seeds, seed lot numbering, identification, and tracking over time.
- Quality control, including sensory evaluation, seed testing, and maintaining records on the health and viability of seed inventory.
- Ensure seed complies with all applicable government and industry standards, including germination and disease, and the National Organic Program. Integrate and maintain those standards throughout operational processes; assist with audits and inspections.
- Maintain accurate records, including generating and analyzing sales reports, and utilizing reports and inventory data to make production and marketing decisions.
- Designate sales channels and assign stock while balancing existing inventory with sales goals and in-house seed/field production capabilities; communicate with team regarding stock issues.
- Manage website backend (WooCommerce) stock, reporting, and work with IT regarding issues.
- Work with packet filling team; verify accurate weights, records, and standards are being met.
- Collaborate with and support other departments to close operational gaps and establish protocols to improve efficiency and continued scaling for growth, including replacing legacy systems and processes.
- Participate in the development of strategic plans.
- Assist with the creation of marketing materials.
The Ideal Candidate has/is:
- A systems thinker with a passion for spreadsheets.
- Working knowledge of and/or experience in warehouse operations, inventory management, production, packing, and assembly.
- Capable of frequent bending and heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs).
- High level of experience and proficiency with Mac computers and software including Google suite, LibreOffice (alternative to Office Suite), Adobe, WooCommerce; advanced use of spreadsheets; and ability to learn and adapt to new computer programs and software quickly and masterfully.
- Strong math skills with an understanding of grams and ounces, and proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Understanding of botany and familiarity with gardening or farming and seeds, and aptitude for quickly learning and understanding industry-specific terminology and procedures.
- Strong planning, problem-solving, and investigation skills, including analysis, interpretation, and reasoning.
- Able to maintain a high degree of accuracy in both hands-on tasks and record keeping.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to think creatively and strategically to meet evolving challenges, and to maintain high levels of responsibility, initiative, and independence.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, and exceptionally high attention to detail while maintaining professional, efficient outcomes in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
- Combines leadership skills and initiative with collaboration to contribute to a thriving, enjoyable environment for team members. A good sense of humor doesn't hurt either.
- A passion for our stated mission of "Bringing Biodiversity Back" to farms and gardens.
Considerations:
- Job review at 6 months with potential for advancement.
- Position requires standing for long periods of time in our cool (55-60ºF) seed storage area with constant background noise (hum of dehumidifiers, climate control, printers, etc.).
- Must be able to tolerate a cat- and dog- friendly environment.
- Allergens are present in the work environment.
- In addition to hourly compensation, full time permanent employees receive an annual bonus; paid holidays; sick pay and PTO; flexible scheduling; employee discounts; occasional plant starts and produce; educational opportunities; the potential to pursue personal projects on the farm.
- For further details about Adaptive Seeds, and the qualities we're looking for in a teammate, please see the Job Opportunities page of our website to find our 'General Employment Considerations' document.
Acknowledgements:
Adaptive Seeds’ stated mission is Bringing Biodiversity Back to agriculture through offering unique, open pollinated seed varieties. That said, we acknowledge that seed biodiversity is only one aspect of farm diversity in the US that has declined in recent history. Cultural diversity has also been systematically eroded from the agricultural landscape. Because of this, we are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization, in our work with seeds, and in our agricultural community.
Adaptive Seeds provides equal opportunity to all individuals and will consider candidates without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation and identity, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status; and without discrimination based on personal appearance, socioeconomic, marital, parental or caregiving status, or any of the previously listed characteristics or statuses.
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +Application instructions
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