Sr Manager, Agricultural Operations

Senior Manager, Agricultural Operations

At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

McCormick employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire a Senior Manager, Agricultural Operations immediately at our McCormick New Mexico site in Las Cruces, NM.

• Competitive compensation
• Career growth opportunities
• Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices
• Wellbeing programs including Physical, Mental and Financial wellness
• Tuition assistance

This new role will lead agricultural operations for McCormick’s Frank’s Red Hot Sauce and will have one direct report. The Senior Manager will partner with procurement and plant operations to plan and forecast each year’s crop plan, lead direct grower contracting, oversee cultivation and harvesting, and play a critical role in commercial seed development activities.

Strategic responsibilities include developing a long‑term yield improvement strategy, coordinating with seed breeders, R&D and university research groups, and integrating McCormick’s sustainability targets into the supply chain.

Seasonal duties focus on maintaining and developing grower relationships, managing grower contracting, monitoring crop performance, and ensuring compliance with regulations and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

• Visit potential growers’ fields prior to contracting to identify optimum fields for growing.
• Take soil and water samples and oversee tracking of results and analytics.
• Gather market intelligence/pricing data for inputs and competitor pricing.
• Meet growers regularly to build trust & rapport.
• Contract acreage and review supplier code of conduct.
• Participate in local grower/community events.

• Develop & manage agricultural input cost model to determine grower contract pricing.
• Develop & execute annual grower contracting plan.
• Develop & run yield forecasting model with +/- 3% accuracy.
• Coordinate inputs from MKC R&D on sensory requirements.
• Brief management & secure approvals.
• Participate in relevant industry boards and trade associations.
• Cultivate relationships with R&D and university partners for program improvement.

• Distribute seed and transplants to growers and ensure proper pre‑plant practices.
• Track KPIs such as plant dates, pod development, and pest/disease impact.
• Ensure seed & seedlings distributed match acres planted.
• Monitor germination rates and weekly crop progress.
• Support growers with IPM, fertilization, watering schedules and regenerative practices.
• Assist growers in obtaining certifications and improving sustainable practices.
• Provide stories to marketing and sustainability teams.

• Update crop forecast model and coordinate weekly with procurement and operations.
• Train growers on optimal harvest methods.
• Ensure social conditions meet labor standards.
• Coordinate harvest schedule and logistics to optimize delivery and yield.
• Work with internal teams to develop improved harvesting or mechanical options.

• Collaborate with Agriculture & Sustainability teams, PD, R&D, and seed breeders.
• Manage annual seed trial plans to improve varietals.
• Build foundation for commercial seed volumes.
• Test seeds for germination, moisture content, and quality.
• Coordinate seed testing for quality lab metrics.
• Run greenhouse for transplant production.
• Develop proprietary seed program over time.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Business, or Ag Tech.
• 10‑15 years of experience in contracting growers and monitoring cultivation and harvest activities.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is a MUST.
• Deep knowledge of chile pepper cultivation for fresh harvest.
• Knowledge, relationships, and experience in the U.S. Southwest and Mexican growing regions.
• Strong initiative, ownership, and urgency to deliver targets in budget.
• Strong personal network &…