Local, Sustainable food production

Hiring: Farm Operations Manager
Farm: Springford Farm

Location: Nanoose Bay, BC
Housing: currently not available on-farm. However if local housing is a barrier for relocation for this opportunity, there is room for discussion on what this might look like.

About Springford Farm

Springford Farm is a sixth-generation family farm in Nanoose Bay, growing and raising food for Vancouver Island for over a hundred years.

Today that means free-range eggs, grass-fed beef, a growing vegetable operation, and an on-farm market that carries products from more than 60 local Island farms and food producers. We're a working farm first – and we're proud of it.

We're looking for a Farm Manager to take the lead on day-to-day operations across the farm, working closely with our ownership and management team to keep things running smoothly, safely, and well. We're growing, and we're looking for someone who wants to grow with us — this role has real long-term potential for the right person.

The Role

This is a hands-on, on-the-ground role. The Farm Manager works alongside the crew daily — in the barns, in the fields, on equipment, and on repairs, while also making sure the work is organized, safe, and moving in the right direction. You lead by doing the work, not by directing it from a distance.

You'll report to and work closely with the farm leadership team, acting as the operational link between ownership's priorities and the crew getting the work done each day. Day-to-day you'll be active on the farm: solving problems as they come up, pitching in wherever it's needed, and setting the tone for the crew through your own work ethic.

Key Responsibilities

Team & Day-to-Day Operations

• Oversee daily operations across all farm departments and coordinate the work of farm crew employees
• Schedule, assign, and supervise daily tasks based on seasonal priorities and farm needs
• Manage employees, including onboarding, training, performance feedback, and day-to-day people management
• Liaise regularly with the Farm Leadership team on priorities, issues, and planning

Health & Safety

• Own health and safety on the farm: training, protocols, incident response, and WorkSafeBC compliance
• Identify and address hazards proactively; maintain safety records and documentation
• Make sure the farm meets all regulatory requirements (CFIA, WorkSafeBC, and others) and be the point person for inspections and audits.

Livestock & Egg Operations

• Support cattle herd management, working alongside the team responsible for day-to-day animal care
• Provide operational oversight of the free-range egg operation, ensuring animal welfare, biosecurity, and production standards are met

Vegetable Operations

• Collaborate with our vegetable operations managers to support planting, harvest, and seasonal labour needs
• Help coordinate shared resources (equipment, crew time, irrigation) across departments

Infrastructure & Maintenance

• Handle general repairs and maintenance across farm buildings, fencing, and equipment
• Support planning and execution of infrastructure projects, from routine maintenance to larger capital builds
• Coordinate contractors, timelines, and budgets alongside leadership

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain and coordinate use of farm equipment and vehicles; oversee basic maintenance schedules
• Support inventory and supply ordering for farm operations
• Assist with seasonal planning and forecasting for labour, equipment, and materials
• Represent the farm professionally with vendors, contractors, and visitors
• Step in on the ground during busy seasons, emergencies, or when extra hands are needed

What You Bring

• At least 3-5 years of experience in farm operations, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management capacity
• Several years of hands-on experience with animal care and management, ideally including cattle and/or poultry
• Experience operating a variety of farm and heavy equipment
• Mechanical knowledge is an asset — comfort troubleshooting and maintaining equipment
• Comfort managing people — scheduling, coaching, and holding a team accountable with fairness and respect
• Project management skills, with the ability to balance administrative work alongside hands-on labour
• A practical understanding of health and safety requirements in an agricultural setting
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple moving parts across departments
• A valid driver's license (Class 5 minimum); comfort operating farm equipment and vehicles
• Physical capability for hands-on farm work in all weather conditions, including general repairs and maintenance
• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and overtime depending on the season
• A genuine interest in local, sustainable food production
• Someone looking to grow with us long-term — this is a career role, not a stepping stone

What We Offer

• Competitive wage based on experience ($59,000-$65,000 to start) with performance review at 90 days.
• Extended health and dental benefits package after 90 days.
• Staff discount in our farm market
• Housing is currently not available on-farm, however if local housing is a barrier for relocation for this opportunity, there is room for discussion on what this might look like.
• Room to shape this role as the farm grows
• A close-knit, community-rooted team and a farm with deep local history

How to Apply

Send your resume and a short note about why you'd be a good fit to Ross and Julia by emailing julia@springfordfarm.com . Tell us about your favourite piece of equipment, the worst weather you've ever worked through, or the last time you fixed something with baling wire and sheer stubbornness..... we want to know who you are, not just what's on the resume.

We're an established farm that's been at this a long time, and we're looking for someone who wants to be part of the next chapter — not just fill a seat. If you like early mornings, hate sitting still, and think "that's not really my job" is a phrase best avoided, we'd love to hear from you.

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.