Talent Community: Asset Manager

While we may not be actively hiring for this role at this moment, we’re always looking to connect with people who share our vision and embody our values. If you're interested in joining our team, we encourage you to submit an application expressing your interest. Our team regularly reviews submissions and will reach out if a relevant opportunity aligns with your background and skills.

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Company Background/Culture

Gold Leaf is a farming company whose core focus is to build farms, family, and a future we’re proud of. We own and operate ~12,000 acres of almonds, pistachios, and dates in California and Arizona, making us a top ~15 grower of these crops globally. Our growth has been enabled by ~$300M of investment from our partners and our 60-person team that operates the farms every day.

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Our North Star is to leave the world better than we found it. We have a significant opportunity to do well by doing good - we invest in our team, so that we can invest in differentiated, sustainable farming, so that we can drive financial results. Our farm workers have a $23 starting wage in California, fully paid healthcare, retirement, and parental leave. Our farms use technology and incorporate research-based strategies to maximize production and profitability while minimizing the use of precious natural resources.

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Over time, we’ll continue to grow our farms under management, acreage, and team. We hold traditional farming values in high regard: taking pride in quality operations, buying and holding prime farms with a long-term view (everything we buy we’d be happy to own forever), and staying grounded in our values: being candid, putting family first, acting like owners and leading by example. Learn more about Gold Leaf Farming at https://www.goldleaf.ag/ 

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Role Overview

The Asset Manager (AM) leads all aspects of a GLF farming region, typically a $50M to $150M business. They report directly to the VP of Operations, manage 1-3 Farm Managers, and are responsible for the long-term success of their farms. The AM works closely with GLF’s Leadership Team to manage their portfolio’s business plans, acquire new farms, raise debt and equity, and oversee major capex projects or strategic initiatives related to their farms. AMs are regularly on the ground at their farms, holding the Farming Team to a high standard, conducting financial analyses on specific farming activities, liaising with community leaders, and more.

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Responsibilities:

Below are the key responsibilities of the Asset Manager Role. No two weeks as an Asset Manager are the same. As the leader of the region, the AM’s focus shifts to what is most critical to drive the long-term success of the farm.

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Farm Financial Management (30% of time)

• In partnership with Farm Managers, the AM establishes the annual budget and holds Farm Managers accountable to hitting the budget
• Participates in the closing of the Farms’ books each month
• Conducts analysis of potential capital improvements aligned with the farms’ business plan and manages their implementation
• Coaches and supports Farm Managers as they compare farm operational options to maximize return on investment

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Lead/Manage/Hold Accountable (LMA) Farm Managers (40% of time):

• Builds strong working relationships with other Asset Managers, Farm Managers and holds them accountable for the timely completion of assigned tasks
• Leads weekly meetings with Farm Managers
• Helps to create a coaching culture by candidly providing both positive and developmental feedback to their Farm Managers. Evaluates team performance quarterly and makes concerted efforts to achieve and maintain a team of A+ individuals
• Uphold and improve upon GLF’s culture and values at all farms
• As necessary, resolves personnel problems by investigating issues, identifying solutions, and recommending action while treating employees with respect through the process

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Internal and External Stakeholder Management (10% of Time):

• Engages with the local community to share GLF’s values and hear any concerns they may have
• Proactively partners with internal and external experts to make good business decisions for the development and operation of the farms
• Maintains regular contact with GLF Management and cross-functional support partners to share necessary information, share best practices, and work through farm-specific problems. Is a participant in all team meetings, including but not limited to, weekly check ins with Farm Managers, GLF-wide All Hands, monthly forecast to budget reviews, and quarterly meetings with leadership

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New Acquisitions (10% of time)

• Conducting research to support GLF’s acquisitions strategy in California, Arizona and other regions
• Meeting with brokers, intermediaries and farm owners to source deals aligned with our strategy
• Structuring and evaluating deals based on their economics, agronomy, water and other attributes
• Leading diligence and closing deals

Other Strategic Projects (10% of time)

In addition to the above, the role will assist the team at Gold Leaf with other activities that help grow and improve the firm.

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Suggested Skills & Experience:

An excellent candidate for this role will have the following skills & experience. If you have some but not all of the below, please apply anyway. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion. We look forward to considering all strong candidates.

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• Ability to lead projects involving a diverse group of employees, colleagues, & vendors
• Previous people management experience
• Strong passion for leading and developing teams with a genuine care of people
• Experience managing a multi-million dollar P&L
• Proven methodological problem solving track record
• Experience in a field related to agriculture or in Asset Management , preferred but not required

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The Ideal Cultural Fit

Gold Leaf was founded with specific values in mind. We believe values should not just be written down, they should be lived every day. The ideal cultural fit is someone who: 

• Acts Like an Owner: Think and act as if you own the farms, because you do. We grant equity to every team member. We share responsibility when things go wrong and share credit when we get big wins.  
• Is Candid: Be real—open, honest and transparent. We build trust and push each other to be better through candid dialogue. We are 100% open with each other, our partners, our vendors, and our neighbors and community. We give candid feedback to drive constant improvement. 
• Puts Family First: Our team and their families are all part of the Gold Leaf family, and we value their commitment to Gold Leaf. We create a differentiated employment experience in Ag. We treat each other with compassion and respect, compensate fairly, and build an environment where great people want to work. 
• Leads by Example: We are the change we want to see in the world. We want to farm forever, so we take care of our people, the Earth, and the communities we live and work in—setting a positive example for our neighbors and the industry. 

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Compensation

The target annual salary range for this position is $160,000-$185,000 plus company equity, discretionary performance-related bonus compensation, and employer sponsored benefits package. Individual compensation may vary based on additional factors including job-related experience, skills, and/or relevant education or training. 

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