Eduardo Cortez
Delano,CA
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Field Operations Manager with over 10 years of experience in agricultural management across table grapes, citrus and cherry crops. Proven success in supervising large crews, improving field productivity, ensuring safety compliance, and maintaining high quality standards during harvest and year-round operations. OSHA safety protocols, CPR, and pesticide communication, with strong leadership, scheduling, and cost-control skills. Recognized for developing efficient workflows, fostering teamwork, and delivering consistent results under demanding seasonal conditions.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Quality Assurance Supervisor
JN Farms
2025.03 - Current
- Hands on training experience on harvest: Citrus (navels, cara caras, valencias, minneola,satsumas,clementine,tango & Meyer lemon).
- Supervise daily operations across table grapes and citrus harvest, ensuring quality,safety, and efficiency.
- Train new employees on company procedures, safety standards, and production expectations.
- Oversee crew scheduling, workflow distribution, and performance monitoring.
- Operate and maintain citrus packing machinery, including the washer, wax bed, dryer, and sizer.
- Conduct quality inspections for grapes, cherries, mandarins, and oranges across multiple varieties.
- Audit quality control when harvesting tables grapes, cherry, lemons, mandarins & oranges.
- Managed a team of 5-15 employees in daily operations, ensuring performance metrics were met and projects stayed on schedule. (Citrus packing line)
- Observe quality of product preventing defects after QC.
- Oversee daily pack products in storage, and make sure proper products have been shipped.
- P.P.E. (OSHA regulations) employees and company equipment.
- Make sure all Global G.A.P. Certifications are current, and oversee employees follow regulations.
- Review the proper documents when receiving and shipping out products.
- Manage time sheets, verify attendance accuracy, and coordinate with payroll administration.
Efficiency Manager/Quality Control Supervisor
Etchegaray Farms
2013.08 - 2025.03
- Hands on training experience on harvest of: Tables grapes (Sugraones,ivory,candy snaps,candy hearts,sweet globe,cotton candy,sweet sapphire,sweet celebration,autumn kings & scarlet royal).
- Hands-on training experience on the harvest of cherries (Tulare, Brooks, and Coral).
- Hands-on training experience on harvest of citrus (Navel, Satsuma,Meyer lemon).
- Titration for acidity (Sugraones & Autumn Kings)
- Oversaw daily operations for grape, citrus, almonds, pistachios and cherry harvest, supervising (60 - 150 employees during peak season).
- Coordinated planting, harvesting, and crop distribution while maintaining cost control and productivity goals.
- Oversaw and tracked field materials, including bags, boxes, and supplies.
- Implemented process improvements to increase yield and operational efficiency.
- Enforced OSHA and company safety standards; conducted safety meetings and equipment checks.
- Trained and mentored employees, conducted performance evaluations, and addressed staff concerns promptly.
- Managed time sheets, labor tracking, and reports to ensure accurate payroll processing.
- Collaborated with management to align Labor costs, quality control, and crew locations.
- Collaborated with management on packing styles on harvest.
- Collaborative team environment to improve communication among spraying staff, irrigation staff and farm labor contractors.
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Oversaw daily operations, maintaining efficiency and quality standards.
- Streamlined communication channels, improving information flow and decision-making speed.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
Education
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Kaplan College
Bakersfield, CASkills
- Agricultural Operations Management
- Crew leadership & Supervision (up to 150 employees)
- Quality control & Cost efficiency
- Budget & Expense Tracking
- Equipment operation (forklift, tractor & skid loader)
- Timekeeping & Payroll Verification
- Documentation & Reporting
- Scheduling & Labor Coordinator
- Training & Staff Development
- Bilingual Communication (English/Spanish)
- Microsoft office: Outlook, Excel,Word,PowerPoint
- Titration based for acidity: Grapes & Oranges
Certification
- NSC First Aid, CPR, AED course
- Safety requirements (OSHA protocols)
- Pesticide hazardous communication plus (PHC+)
- Tractor safety training
- Forklift license
Languages
English
Spanish
Timeline
Quality Assurance Supervisor
JN Farms
2025.03 - Current
Efficiency Manager/Quality Control Supervisor
Etchegaray Farms
2013.08 - 2025.03
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Kaplan College