Kate Farms, the Goleta, California-based medical nutrition company, is hiring a Project Manager to support its Blended Program through the end of 2026. The role is part-time at 30 to 35 hours per week, embedded within a cross-functional team. Understanding what this position pays requires looking at Kate Farms' compensation structure, the broader market for project managers in California, and what embedded contract-style roles typically offer.
Kate Farms Project Manager Salary Range
Kate Farms does not publicly disclose exact salary figures in this job posting. However, based on compensation data from Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Levels.fyi, Project Manager roles at Kate Farms typically range from $85,000 to $115,000 annually for full-time positions. This particular role runs at 30 to 35 hours per week, which affects total annual compensation.
Prorated for part-time hours, candidates can estimate earnings between $63,000 and $86,000 per year. That estimate assumes the hourly rate stays consistent with full-time equivalents. California-based roles frequently command higher compensation than national averages, particularly in Santa Barbara County where Goleta sits.
Project managers in consumer-packaged goods and food manufacturing in California earn a median salary around $105,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Kate Farms positions itself as competitive within that range, especially for mission-driven candidates in the health and nutrition space.
How the Part-Time Structure Affects Pay
This posting is notably structured as an embedded, part-time role. That framing matters for compensation conversations. Embedded roles often carry a slight hourly premium over traditional full-time roles because the engagement is project-specific and time-bound.
The contract runs through the end of 2026. Candidates should factor in the temporary nature when negotiating. Employers often offset the lack of long-term security with a higher hourly rate or a defined completion bonus.
At 30 to 35 hours per week, you are working roughly 75 to 87 percent of a standard full-time schedule. Negotiating an hourly rate between $45 and $60 per hour would align with market expectations for this type of senior project management engagement in Southern California.
Kate Farms Compensation Structure
Kate Farms uses a structured compensation approach that typically includes three components for eligible roles:
- Base salary or hourly rate as the primary compensation
- Performance-based bonus tied to individual and company goals
- Benefits package covering health, dental, and vision
For part-time roles like this one, the bonus component may differ from full-time structures. Some companies prorate bonuses based on hours worked. Others exclude contract or part-time employees from bonus eligibility altogether. Candidates should clarify this point directly during the interview process.
Kate Farms has historically offered annual merit increases for full-time staff. Whether this applies to a fixed-term embedded role remains company-specific. Asking about performance reviews and compensation adjustments mid-engagement is fair and advisable.
Equity and Stock Options at Kate Farms
Kate Farms is a private company and does not trade publicly on any stock exchange. Equity compensation at private companies typically comes in the form of stock options or restricted stock units. These vest over time and carry value only if the company achieves a liquidity event such as an IPO or acquisition.
For a part-time, time-limited role, equity is unlikely to be a significant part of the package. Most companies reserve equity grants for full-time employees with longer vesting windows. It would be unusual, though not impossible, for Kate Farms to include equity in a role running only through 2026.
Candidates interested in equity participation should ask directly. If Kate Farms does offer it, understanding the vesting schedule, the current valuation, and the likelihood of a liquidity event becomes critical before placing weight on that component of total compensation.
Benefits Package Overview
Kate Farms offers a benefits package that reflects its identity as a health-focused company. Reported benefits for eligible employees include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Product discounts on Kate Farms nutrition formulas
- Flexible work arrangements for qualifying roles
Part-time employees at or above 30 hours per week often qualify for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Kate Farms' threshold for benefits eligibility may align with this federal standard. At 30 to 35 hours, this Project Manager role sits right at that boundary.
Confirming benefits eligibility early in the hiring process is essential. Health insurance access can represent $5,000 to $15,000 in annual value, making it a meaningful part of the total compensation picture for any candidate evaluating this role.
How Kate Farms Compares to Industry Standards
Comparing Kate Farms to the broader market helps candidates calibrate their expectations. Project managers working in consumer-packaged goods and food manufacturing nationally earn between $80,000 and $120,000 per year in full-time roles according to data from the Project Management Institute and Salary.com.
California adds a significant premium. The state's high cost of living, particularly in coastal markets like Santa Barbara County, typically pushes salaries 15 to 25 percent above national averages. Kate Farms competing in that environment means its compensation should reflect local market rates.
Companies of similar size and mission in the food and medical nutrition space, including Orgain, Abbott Nutrition, and Nestle Health Science, pay project managers in the $95,000 to $130,000 range for full-time roles. Kate Farms, as a smaller and mission-driven organization, may not always match the top of that range but often competes through culture and flexibility.
What Factors Influence Your Offer
Several variables will affect what Kate Farms offers any individual candidate for this role. Hiring managers weigh multiple data points when structuring an offer:
- Years of project management experience, particularly in CPG or food manufacturing
- Familiarity with product development and commercialization processes
- Experience managing cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments
- Certifications such as PMP, CAPM, or Agile credentials
- Previous work with blended nutrition or medical food programs
Candidates with PMP certification earn roughly 22 percent more than non-certified peers according to PMI's annual salary survey. Highlighting that credential during negotiations carries measurable weight. Demonstrating direct experience in ambiguous, evolving program environments also strengthens your position, given how this role is described.
Negotiating Your Compensation at Kate Farms
Negotiating with Kate Farms follows the same principles as any professional negotiation. Come prepared with market data. Reference sources like Glassdoor, Payscale, and the PMI Salary Survey to anchor your ask in evidence rather than preference.
Given the embedded and time-bound nature of this role, pushing for a slightly higher hourly rate is a reasonable strategy. The finite timeline means Kate Farms benefits from a smooth, fast engagement. Candidates who bring immediate value with minimal onboarding time can justify a premium rate.
Benefits eligibility, bonus participation, and any completion incentive should all be addressed before accepting an offer. Total compensation matters far more than base pay alone, and understanding every component protects candidates from undervaluing or overestimating what the role actually pays.
Candidates interested in applying for the Kate Farms Project Manager role can submit an application at remoteOK.com.
