Director of Agronomy (REMOTE)

THE COMPANY

Our client is a modern, institutionally backed agricultural owner-operator managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio of over 12,000 acres of almonds, pistachios, and specialty tree crops across the Western United States. Transitioning from an aggressive acquisition phase to a period of yield-driven optimization and technological standardization, our client manages 100% of its operations internally. Unlike traditional real estate investment firms that act as passive landlords, they leverage data-driven land management, strict water underwriting, and advanced agtech to maximize production while preserving natural resources. Grounded in traditional farming values, our client features a progressive, people-first culture and stands out in the industry by granting equity and direct ownership stakes to every full-time team member.

THE POSITION

The Director of Agronomy serves as the organization’s senior technical authority and strategic partner to the operations leadership team, charged with shaping a portfolio-wide agronomic roadmap that drives maximum yield and long-term orchard sustainability. Operating in a highly influential, individual contributor capacity, the mission of this role is to translate complex scientific data, crop metrics, and field observations into clear, actionable, and financially grounded operational programs.

Because our client operates a highly decentralized model where farm managers hold absolute accountability over their respective budgets, this role features zero direct authority. The Director of Agronomy acts as a matrixed internal consultant, navigating a sophisticated network of Asset Managers and Farm Managers to guide optimal, cost-conscious cultivation decisions through trust, data, and relationship building.

Main Responsibilities

Agronomic Strategy & Portfolio Optimization (80% of Time)

Define the Tech-Agronomy Roadmap: Establish, refine, and continuously improve portfolio-wide fertility, irrigation, integrated pest management (IPM), and soil health protocols tailored to distinct regional microclimates.

Financial Resource Stewardship: Evaluate all technical and input decisions through a rigorous ROI lens, balancing optimal plant health with disciplined cost-of-production metrics.

Design Practical Field Trials: Develop, monitor, and oversee practical, field-scale agronomic trials that can be executed consistently by farm teams without requiring extensive laboratory infrastructure or massive research budgets.

Data & AgTech Integration: Analyze complex soil, tissue, moisture, and operational data to optimize resource deployment, while driving the sourcing, RFP execution, and implementation of scalable agtech platforms.

Growth and Expansion Diligence: Partner with leadership to conduct technical and geographic due diligence on prospective land acquisitions, new regions, and alternative crop types.

Stakeholder Management & Advisory (20% of Time)

Matrixed Consensus Building: Build strong, trust-based relationships with autonomous regional Farm Managers and Asset Managers, serving as an approachable, highly present partner who respects decentralized decision-making.

Ag-to-Non-Ag Translation: Simplify complex agronomic data and technical concepts into clear, high-level strategic summaries for presentation to executive leadership and institutional investor boards.

External Network Leadership: Act as the primary technical liaison with universities, research institutions, agricultural labs, and key input vendors to solve localized orchard pressures and vet true marketplace innovations.

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a high-caliber, business-minded agronomic leader who seamlessly blends exceptional scientific credentials with practical, boots-on-the-ground operational grit. They are a low-ego collaborator and a masterful communicator who thrives in a decentralized management structure, possessing the unique ability to influence veteran farm operators through relationship building rather than direct authority. Exceptionally comfortable with the commercial realities of production agriculture, this individual naturally views agronomic challenges through a financial lens, translating field science into measurable ROI.

Key Candidate Requirements

Experience

Advanced Academic Foundation: Holds a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science, Horticulture, or a closely related technical discipline.

Large-Scale, Multi-Location Oversight: Minimum of several thousand acres under management, with proven experience navigating geographically diverse, scattered farm properties rather than a single contiguous operation.

Perennial/Permanent Crop Expertise: Extensive technical experience with permanent tree crops (ideally almonds and pistachios); highly complex row crop backgrounds at institutional scale (e.g., commercial berries) will also be highly valued.

Practical Field Execution: A clear track record of working directly in the fields alongside operational crews, blending scientific theory with everyday farm logistics and equipment limitations.

AgTech and RFP Management: Proven experience evaluating, piloting, and scaling commercial field technology (such as advanced irrigation monitoring platforms or aerial imagery) with measurable operational adoption.

Skills

Financial Fluency & ROI Modeling: Ability to accurately quantify the cost-benefit impact of technical decisions, building strong business cases that align agronomic needs with strict farm P&L budgets.

Strategic Influence & Consultation: Exceptional soft skills with a proven ability to mentor, advise, and influence independent decision-makers without using formal corporate authority.

Data Analytics: Advanced proficiency in interpreting multi-layered agricultural data sets—including soil chemistry, tissue samples, visual mapping, and moisture inputs—to dictate precise macro-level adjustments.

Bilingual Capability: Professional verbal proficiency in Spanish is highly preferred to ensure seamless communication with diverse on-site field leadership teams.

Culture Fit

Acts Like an Owner: Possesses a deeply responsible, long-term mindset; takes collective pride in organizational wins and shares accountability when operational challenges arise.

Candid and Humble Communication: Communicates with absolute transparency, honesty, and constructive directness while remaining grounded, respectful, and completely devoid of institutional ego.

Hands-on & Mobile: Energized by an environment that demands high physical farm presence and regular regional travel (40–50%), choosing to be visible out in the orchards rather than insulated in a remote office.

LOGISTICS

Workplace Model & Travel Parameters

Primary Work Location: Based in California or Arizona near the agricultural footprint, with relocation assistance available.

Location Flexibility: Requires a high farm presence across decentralized production regions, allowing home-office flexibility if travel schedules are met.

Travel Demands: Expect 40% to 50% regional travel, maintaining a consistent monthly physical cadence across California and Arizona farms. A driver’s license and U.S. work authorization are required.