Farm Construction Manager

Summary

Join Vital Farms as a Farm Construction Manager, overseeing the entire barn construction process for new layer hen farms. You will lead projects from planning to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Responsibilities include managing budgets, mitigating risks, and coordinating with farmers and contractors. Regular farm visits are required to monitor progress and troubleshoot issues. You will also develop reporting systems, collaborate with various teams, and mentor a direct report. Continuous improvement of construction processes and team collaboration is essential. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 5+ years of construction project management experience, preferably in agricultural settings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Agriculture, or a related field – or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience
• 5+ years of experience in construction project management, preferably in agricultural, livestock, or rural infrastructure settings
• Must be located in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, or Southern Illinois
• Ability to travel to farm locations a minimum of 3 days per week (75% travel expected)
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects from planning through execution, with a strong track record of staying on time and on budget
• Experience working directly with general contractors, subcontractors, and tradespeople – including managing on-site troubleshooting and compliance with safety standards

Responsibilities

• Lead barn construction projects from planning to completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met
• Develop repeatable workflows and documentation practices to drive consistency, efficiency, and accountability
• Monitor budgets, identify risks, and resolve roadblocks with strategic, data-informed decisions
• Support farmer and contractor coordination to align scopes of work and ensure quality execution
• Conduct regular farm visits across the Eastern region to track progress, troubleshoot issues, and guide contractors and farmers
• Ensure all equipment, systems, and materials are in place before chick placement
• Recommend improvements to site layout, workflows, and construction methods based on field observations and best practices
• Build and maintain clear, actionable reporting systems that keep stakeholders informed of progress, risks, and milestones
• Own a dynamic project dashboard that offers real-time visibility across multiple builds
• Deliver consistent updates and post-project summaries that support smooth operational transitions
• Partner with Grower Recruitment, Compliance, Pullet Ops, and Farm Ops to ensure seamless transitions from construction to operations
• Communicate changes, expectations, and project insights across teams to keep everyone aligned
• Lead structured project closeouts, including documentation, punch lists, and readiness checklists
• Manage and mentor a direct report, setting clear expectations and providing growth opportunities
• Share best practices in project structure, communication, and process optimization
• Evolve construction SOPs, training materials, and standards based on lessons learned
• Apply a continuous improvement mindset to both technical processes and team collaboration
• Identify opportunities to scale construction operations more effectively as the network grows

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in agricultural construction (e.g., poultry or livestock barns) is strongly preferred
• Experience managing or mentoring team members or direct reports in a project-oriented environment is a plus
• A passion for continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and process optimization

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Paid Parental Leave, just to name a few)
• Generous retirement contributions: 401(k) + 3% Contribution from Day 1
• Annual bonus and equity grant (subject to business results and company approval)
• Free eggs and butter, along with friends and family discounts
• Fun team SWAG that will make you the talk of the town
• Professional development opportunities and an amazing team dedicated to your growth