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Position Title: Farm Operations & Business Manager – Diversified Farm & Forestry Operations
Name of Ranch/Business: Preston Springs Farm
Location: Preston, CT
Position Description:
GENERAL MANAGER – DIVERSIFIED FARM & FORESTRY OPERATIONS
Preston, Connecticut | Full-Time | On-Site
Salary: $85,000–$100,000
Preston Springs Farm LLC is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial General Manager to lead the development of a 325-acre farm and forest property in southeastern Connecticut. This is not a caretaker position. We are looking for a hands-on business operator who can organize the property’s land, equipment and workforce into a disciplined, commercially successful operation. The property includes pasture, forest and areas suitable for hay production and rotational grazing, together with tractors, skid steers, an excavator, forestry and firewood equipment, a small sawmill, UTVs and developing fencing infrastructure.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The General Manager will be responsible for day-to-day operations, budgeting, cost control, team leadership and the development of practical revenue-producing activities. Potential opportunities include forestry, lumber, firewood, equipment-based services, hay, grazing and livestock. The successful candidate will evaluate these opportunities and recommend which should be prioritized based on market demand, operating requirements, margins and cash-flow potential.
FIRST 90 DAYS
The selected candidate will be expected to:
- Complete an operational, financial and asset assessment
- Identify immediate cost-control opportunities
- Recommend no more than three priority revenue activities
- Present a realistic 12-month operating and commercial plan
- Establish budgets, reporting systems and performance metrics
- Begin developing customers, contracts and sales opportunities
COMPENSATION AND PAID LEAVE
- The base salary range is $85,000–$100,000, depending on experience and demonstrated results.
- The employee will accrue 10 paid vacation days annually, available for use after completing the initial six-month employment period. Paid sick leave will be provided in accordance with Connecticut law.
- Employer-sponsored health insurance and retirement benefits are not currently offered.
- Performance and compensation will be formally reviewed after six months.
Qualifications:
- At least five years of relevant farm, ranch, forestry, land-management or agricultural operations experience
- Demonstrated responsibility for budgets, operating costs, revenue or profit
- Experience leading employees and contractors
- Practical knowledge of farm or forestry equipment and maintenance planning
- Ability to develop customers and commercial relationships
- Strong judgment, organization and financial discipline
- Valid driver’s license and authorization to work in the United States
- Ability and willingness to work on-site in Preston, Connecticut
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Managing a diversified farm or land-based business
- Forestry, sawmill, lumber or firewood operations
- Hay production, rotational grazing or livestock
- Direct-to-consumer, wholesale or service-based sales
- Farming or land management in New England
- Improving the financial performance of an underutilized or underperforming operation
Responsibilities:
- Lead daily farm, forestry and property operations
- Assess the land, equipment, workforce, operating costs and commercial opportunities
- Prepare and manage budgets, cash-flow forecasts and monthly financial reports
- Identify unnecessary expenses and underutilized assets
- Develop customers, sales channels and commercial relationships
- Manage employees, contractors, purchasing, inventory and work schedules
- Oversee equipment utilization, preventive maintenance and repair decisions
- Develop and implement a practical 12-month business plan
- Establish measurable operational and financial performance indicators
- Coordinate with outside veterinary, regulatory, environmental, accounting and legal specialists when necessary
- Provide concise weekly operational updates and monthly financial reports to the owner
Ranch Contact: Robert Oprea
Contact Information:
Phone- (201) 600-6290
Email- robertboprea@gmail.com