Integrated Pest Management Manager

Pure Flavor® Farms; Staples; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A greenhouse vegetable grower in Ontario is seeking an IPM Manager responsible for overseeing pest management and leading the IPM Scouts. The role requires technical expertise in integrated pest management, ensuring quality produce, and compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate will possess at least three years of related experience, lead a dedicated team, and ensure effective pest control and reporting methods. Competitive salary of $75,000 to $100,000 CAD offered alongside benefits.

Benefits

Company-paid benefits

RRSP matching

Paid time off

Qualifications

• Minimum three years' experience in greenhouse crop production.
• Valid Pesticide Applicator Certificate required.
• Hands-on experience with biological control agents.

Responsibilities

• Monitor pest management input costs.
• Train and lead IPM Scouts.
• Prepare reports on pest pressure and IPM performance.

Skills

Crop scouting

Pest identification

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Post secondary education in horticulture or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Digital data collection platforms

Job description

Job Details

Pure Hothouse Foods, marketed under the Pure Flavor® brand, is a family of greenhouse vegetable growers who share a commitment to bringing A Life of Pure Flavor™ to communities everywhere. Our passion for sustainable greenhouse growing, strong support for our retail & foodservice customers, and focus on engaging consumers is built on a foundation drawn from generations of growing expertise. We are the next generation of vegetable growers, inspired to put quality, flavor, and customers first by providing greenhouse-grown vegetables from our farms that are strategically located throughout North America.

With a dedicated, energetic and highly skilled workforce, we believe our employees make the difference. We offer our employees the opportunity to advance their careers in our progressive, vibrant organization.

Job Summary

The IPM Manager is responsible for technical support and organization of the IPM Scouts, monitoring the greenhouse growing area and crops, checking for signs and symptoms of pests and disease, and monitoring the costs associated with IPM. This position will make recommendations on IPM management methods, implementation measures, and deployment of biological controls to minimize the risk of damage to a plant and its fruit, and ensure quality produce is available to meet company standards and customer demands.

Responsibilities

• Ensure bio-security measures are followed.
• Monitor pest management input cost.
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of IPM practices and share insights.
• Train, coach and provide leadership to the IPM Scouts.
• Monitor and report on IPM scouting performance and staffing needs.
• Weekly review and reporting on the pest pressure in all ranges.
• Communicate and coordinate the weekly IPM plan with Operational Growers.
• Perform scheduled quality checks and report on all bios purchased and released into crops.
• Monitor and assist with bumble bee pollination programs.
• Work closely with the Corporate IPM Manager to help establish annual/quarterly IPM plan, clearly define quality methods and ensure delivery of the IPM team goals and objectives.
• Validate daily inspections of greenhouse crops using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques and ensure trends are entered daily via digital data collection platform.
• Identify and ensure the elimination of yield limiting threats such as insects, diseases, and weeds.
• Routinely validate the application of preventative measures and control products; document action taken.
• Ensure Operational Growers are immediately informed of critical situations that affect the quality and growth of the crop.
• Comply with SOPs, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Food Safety, Health and Safety, and company policies and procedures; ensure standards consistently meet expectations.
• Other core expectations as defined by the company.

Qualifications

• Secondary school diploma or equivalent (required); Post secondary education in horticulture, agriculture, plant science, or a related field (preferred)
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in greenhouse crop production, ornamental horticulture, or vegetable production.
• Previous agriculture experience with integrated pest management.
• Hands-on experience with biological control agents and chemical crop protection products.
• Success in conducting crop scouting, pest identification, and implementing corrective actions.
• Understanding of pest and disease life cycles and their impact on greenhouse crops.
• Knowledge of beneficial insects, biological control strategies, and pollination programs.
• Familiarity with cultural practices that influence pest and disease pressure.
• Understanding of greenhouse environmental controls and their role in pest management.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for pesticide use and employee safety.
• Familiarity with record-keeping systems and compliance requirements for greenhouse operations.
• Intermediate level of computer skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Self-motivated with the proven ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Strong verbal, written and communication skills; proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrate keen attention to detail and task-related accuracy as well as consistent follow-through skills.
• Analytical skills for interpreting scouting data and recommending solutions.
• Problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to work at heights up to 15 feet.
• Must be flexible to shift assignments as required to meet both customer & business needs.
• Possess a valid Pesticide Applicator Certificate.

Working Conditions

• Hours of work may vary depending on business needs; flexibility required.
• This role operates in a hot, humid environment, where temperatures range from 65-100°F (18-36°C) or more depending on the time of year.
• Role frequently requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, use hands to handle or feel product, and reach with hands as well as visual requirements to complete inspections.
• The position requires the ability to regularly lift to 30-pounds, occasionally up to 50-pound.
• This role regularly requires the employee to work at heights up to 15 feet using a platform lifting device or scissor lift.

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers a salary range of $75,000 – $100,000 CAD annually, commensurate with experience, skills, and internal equity. In addition, Pure Flavor provides a competitive total rewards package that includes company-paid benefits, RRSP matching, and paid time off.

Application Invitation

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career opportunity, submit your resume to Pure Flavor today!

Pure Flavor is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free environment for all individuals, including candidates and employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable accessibility and accommodation legislation, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in Canada and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. If you require accommodation, please contact our Human Resources department.

Check us out at www.pure-flavor.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.