Job Summary: 

The Production Technician III serves as the lead technical resource within the production operation. This position coordinates daily production activities, provides work direction and training to seasonal, temporary, and full-time employees, and supports operational execution to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and customer service objectives are achieved. This role does not have direct people management responsibility but provides day-to-day leadership and coordination of production activities.  

 

Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Perform all responsibilities of Production Technician II. 

• Provide leadership and direction to employees assigned to daily production activities. 

• Coordinate, lead, and monitor daily production activities and shift operations. 

• Assign and prioritize work activities to support operational goals and address labor needs. 

• Lead and support training efforts for seasonal, temporary, and full-time employees. 

• Coach and mentor employees to ensure adherence to safety, quality, and operational standards. 

• Serve as a technical resource for production processes, equipment operation, and troubleshooting. 

• Operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot seed conditioning, treating, packaging, and production equipment. 

• Lead maintenance and troubleshooting efforts for plant equipment. 

• Support and lead safety initiatives and promote a strong safety culture. 

• Manage production workflows to ensure quality, efficiency, and service objectives are achieved. 

• Coordinate warehousing, shipping, and inventory-related activities. 

• Facilitate communication between production teams, leadership, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders as needed. 

• Complete operational reports and documentation accurately and timely. 

• Cross-train and provide guidance across multiple operational areas. 

• Ensure compliance with company quality, safety, regulatory, and operational standards. 

• Monitor operational metrics and communicate performance results to support production objectives. 

• Assist site leadership with production planning, labor allocation, and execution of seasonal operational priorities. 

• Participate in root cause investigations and lead implementation of corrective actions and process improvements. 

• Maintain housekeeping and continuous improvement activities. 

• Promote a positive image of the company and act in accordance with company values. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

 

Required Skills/Abilities:  

• Strong leadership and team coordination skills. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills. 

• Ability to train and mentor employees. 

• Strong troubleshooting and decision-making abilities. 

• Strong attention to detail. 

• Ability to lead and influence others without direct supervisory authority. 

• Ability to prioritize resources and manage multiple activities simultaneously. 

• Ability to analyze operational issues and implement effective solutions. 

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, leadership, vendors, and external stakeholders. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common PC-based software. 

• Ability to obtain required certifications and licenses as needed. 

 

Education and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. 

• Associate Degree in Agriculture, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field preferred. 

• Three (3) or more years of seed production, agricultural operations, manufacturing, or related experience preferred. 

• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet MVR guidelines. 

 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• This role does not have formal people management responsibilities such as hiring, performance evaluations, compensation decisions, or disciplinary actions. 

• Provides day-to-day leadership, work direction, training, and coordination of seasonal, temporary, and full-time employees during production activities. 

• Assigns work, monitors operational execution, and provides feedback and recommendations regarding employee training and performance to site leadership. 

 

Physical Requirements:  

• Ability to lift up to 65 pounds. 

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and perform repetitive movements for extended periods of time. 

• Ability to work assigned hours and shifts, including overtime and seasonal schedules as needed. 

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in hot, cold, wet, and dry conditions. 

• Ability to walk seed fields up to five miles per day. 

• Ability to safely operate equipment and machinery used in production operations.