Indigenous farms, Food sovereignty, Community resilience

Position Title: Farm Operations Manager
Organization: Kanaka Bar Indian Band
Location: Kanaka Bar, near Lytton, Fraser Canyon, BC

Department: Food Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
Reports to: FSS Program Lead
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (seasonal flexibility required; heavier in summer)

Summary:

Kanaka Bar Indian Band has a vision to manage and use its land and resources to maintain a self-sufficient, sustainable and vibrant community. As Kanaka Bar’s food self-sufficiency programs continue to grow and develop, the community is seeking individuals with a passion for sustainable food production and indigenous food sovereignty to help realize this vision. With this posting, Kanaka Bar is inviting applicants for the position of Farm Operations Manager. For more information on the community, please review the rest of our website at: kanakabarband.ca.

Position Overview

The Farm Operations Manager will play a key leadership role in advancing Kanaka Bar Band’s vision of food sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of farm production, staff management, and infrastructure operations to ensure the successful cultivation of high-quality produce for community distribution, local markets, and program use.

The successful candidate will bring strong organizational and agricultural management skills, a commitment to regenerative and land-based practices, and the ability to lead, train, and motivate a diverse farm team. Working closely with the Food Self-Sufficiency Program Lead, the Farm Operations Manager will help develop long-term production systems that support Kanaka’s goals of sustainable, year-round food access and local economic opportunity.

Primary Responsibilities

Farm Production & Planning

• Oversee all aspects of crop production, including field preparation, seeding, transplanting, cultivation, irrigation, pest and weed management, and harvest readiness.
• Develop and implement annual production plans, crop rotations, and soil fertility management strategies.
• Manage greenhouse operations: ensure seedlings are on schedule, healthy, and supported by proper infrastructure.
• Coordinate year-round growing systems for consistent and diversified crop supply, including season extension techniques.
• Maintain accurate records of crop performance, yields, and production data to inform future planning.

Staff Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and grow the farm crew, including training, scheduling, safety, and compliance.
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and inclusive work culture grounded in learning and respect for land-based knowledge.
• Support seasonal staff and trainees through skills development in regenerative agriculture and traditional food systems.

Budgeting & Recordkeeping

• Manage budgets and input requests for all production systems.
• Maintain detailed records for all production systems.
• Support reporting and documentation for funding agreements and program evaluation.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 2 years of experience in farm production or agricultural management, preferably in diversified or regenerative systems, or equivalent experience in an agricultural post-secondary program plus on-farm work.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with the ability to mentor staff of varying skill levels.
• Proven project management skills: able to plan, prioritize, delegate, and track progress toward goals.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills under changing weather or operational conditions.
• Commitment to organic, regenerative, and culturally grounded farming practices.
• Experience operating and maintaining tractors, irrigation systems, and other mechanized farm tools (asset).
• Familiarity with workplace safety, farm compliance systems, and recordkeeping for organic or food-safe production.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to a dynamic seasonal work environment.
• Equally comfortable working with plants, people, and technology (basic digital recordkeeping required).

Employment Conditions:

• Follow policies and procedures of Kanaka Bar Indian Band
• Ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Willingness to work extra hours to meet deadlines
• Willingness to respond to critical incidents outside of work hours
• Three months probationary period.

This will be a full-time position based out of Kanaka Bar. Compensation will consider the education, qualification and experience of the applicant. Canada Labor Code provisions will govern where applicable.

Apply:

Please supply a resume and cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation for applying to Emma Bryce, Food Self-Sufficiency Lead at emma@terrafauna.ca

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Kanaka Bar with achieving its vision.