Megan DeJonge
Frostproof,FL
Summary
Well-qualified farm and packing house production manager with over 10 years of crop growing experience and proven success in operations and solving problems. Skilled as an agricultural leader in demonstrated operations, team and financial management abilities. Coordinate efficient activities at all levels to support business profits and maintain sustainable operations. Employee-focused and performance-oriented with good training and mentoring abilities. Able to create and host websites for development in business marketing.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Production Manager
Ben Hill Griffin Inc.
04.2024 - 07.2025
- Oversaw production schedules to ensure timely and efficient flow across multiple crops.
- Implemented quality control measures that enhanced product consistency and reduced defects.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, optimizing stock levels and reducing surplus waste.
- Led cross-functional teams in process improvement initiatives, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Designed planting and harvest schedules.
- Developed and executed strategic sales plans to drive revenue growth.
- Led cross-functional teams in identifying new market opportunities and client engagement strategies.
- Conducted market research to discover new leads, opportunities and messaging.
- Developed custom website with particular features to meet client needs, resulting in improved functionality and increased satisfaction.
- Streamlined operations through process improvements and resource management.
Project Manager
La Casa Del Sol
07.2022 - 04.2024
- Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
- Developed and implemented strategic project plans to meet business objectives.
- Provided detailed project status updates to executive management.
- Inspected properties before and after new tenant move-ins to schedule maintenance, cleaners, and other services.
- Developed strong relationships with tenants through positive communication and excellent customer service skills.
Garden Operations Manager
Ben Wells Produce
07.2017 - 06.2022
- Planned all plantings and harvests of multi-crop business. Designed secession schedule for multiple seasons per year.
- Head of logistics and transportation.
- Analyzed and reported market pricing and trends daily through the USDA website.
- Conducted all employee schedules and hires.
- Managed over 300 acres of multi-crop land.
- Launched new products and services with thorough market research, leading to increased revenue growth through a website based vegetable delivery service.
- Skilled Forklift and Bobcat Operator. Many seasons of loading semi-trucks, delivery trucks and wagons.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development. Started a delivery route through downtown area.
- Created ideas to begin a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) delivery business during Covid 19.
- Implemented innovative marketing campaigns that boosted brand awareness and generated significant sales leads.
- Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations with University of Florida Agriculture Extension. (IFAS)
- Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development in creation of the business.
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees.
- Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Delivered services to customer locations within specific timeframes.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Garden Operations and Sales Manager
Blue Sky Farms
03.2014 - 06.2017
- Helped in advancing logistics and delivery routes.
- Forklift operator, loaded full semi trucks.
- Garden manager but also a lead in the multi-million dollar potato department.
- Created outstanding profit margin in our first year in the creation of multi-crop business other than potatoes.
- Optimized territory management plans by analyzing data on customer demographics, preferences, and buying patterns.
- Helped with safety concerns and procedures in pesticide and fumigation requirements like buffer mapping and NOAA wind schedules.
- Head of all plantings and harvest schedules in the garden department.
- Lead groups and crews in small pack and bulk pack stations.
- Head of all employee hires and schedules.
- Worked hand in hand with companies like Winn Dixie, Little Potato Company, Costco, Diamond R and BeJo seeds.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing effective sales strategies.
- Coached employees in successful selling methods and encouraged cross-selling to drive revenue.
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Streamlined sales processes for improved efficiency, resulting in higher conversion rates.
- Demonstrated products to show potential customers benefits and advantages and encourage purchases.
- Closed lucrative sales deals using strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
Education
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice Technology
Polk State College
Lakeland05.2014
Skills
- Crop Management
- Production planning
- Dedication to product quality
- Speciality in Tablestock and Chipper Potatoes
- Head of Greenhouse and Nursery
- Record Keeping Abilities
- Agribusiness Marketing Strategies
- USDA Market Research and Analysis
- Farm Operations Management
- Safety Procedures
- Shipping procedures
- Load Planning
- Product Packaging
- Forklift Operation
- Quality Control
- Production Logging
- Business Website Creator and Developer
- Past contracts in green beans, kale and cabbage
Websites
- https://ediblenortheastflorida.ediblecommunities.com/ben-wells-produce
- https://ediblenortheastflorida.ediblecommunities.com/food-thought/state-organic-farming-northeast-fl
- https://ediblenortheastflorida.ediblecommunities.com/food-thought/ladies-land
- https://centralfloridaagnews.com/growing-in-new-directions/
Affiliations
- St. Augustine Farmers Market
- Slow Foods
Additional Information
I worked in both organic and commercial agricultural practices while a
weekly vendor of the St. Augustine Farmers Markets. As a vendor, I was then hired to help direct the summer staff and nightmarket team by managing both vendors and set up process.
Also, I worked with South Florida Potato Growers Exchange, Winter Park, FL for five years to maximize truck loads for improving profits.
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
References
David Nelson, Division Manager of Ben Hill Griffin Inc.
Email: Dnelson@bhgriffin.com
#863-232-7245
Dr. Bonnie Wells, Commercial Horticulture Agent / IFAS Extension of Brevard County.
Email: bcwells@ufl.edu
#321-633-1702 ext. 52335
James Henson, Packing House/ Warehouse Manager of LM Farms
Email: James.Henson@LMCompanies.Com
#904-344-6013
Jen Clay, Manager of Ben Wells Produce
Email: jennifer.bwproduce@gmail.com
#904-669-7614
Danny Johns, Owner of Blue Sky Farms
Email: danny@bsffl.com
#904-692-5938
Mike Hevener, Head Representative and Purchaser at South Florida Growers Exchange
Email: mike.hevener@sflpotatoes.com
#407-865-6303
Katie and Nick Provow, Head of Operations at St. Augustine Farmers Market
Email: staampmkt@gmail.com
#904-449-4213
Certification
- Produce Safety Alliance - Certificate of Training (Grower Course) 6/24
- HACCP for Florida Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Packinghouses - Certificate of Training (Gold Seal Achievement)-Food Safety Course 11/24
Timeline
Production Manager
Ben Hill Griffin Inc.
04.2024 - 07.2025
Project Manager
La Casa Del Sol
07.2022 - 04.2024
Garden Operations Manager
Ben Wells Produce
07.2017 - 06.2022
Garden Operations and Sales Manager
Blue Sky Farms
03.2014 - 06.2017
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice Technology
Polk State College
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