Assistant Grower

Pure-Flavor; Rochelle (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Pure Flavor in Rochelle, IL seeks an Assistant Grower to support the Head Grower in all phases of greenhouse operations, ensuring a healthy, high‑quality crop that meets company standards and customer expectations.

The role requires 2+ years in a commercial greenhouse, attention to detail, and proficiency with MS Office and greenhouse systems. You will assist with IPM, climate and irrigation management, crop care, data recording and training of the Growing Team.

Qualifications

• Secondary school diploma required; post secondary education or certification in horticulture or related field preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years experience in a commercial greenhouse or farm environment required; produce industry preferred.
• WHIMS and Grower Pesticide certification is an asset.
• Experience working with PRIVA greenhouse climate control system.
• Attention to detail, including an ability to identify plant abnormalities and detect the existence of insects.
• Computer Skills required; Microsoft (MS) Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices, Health and Safety, Food Safety, HACCP and PrimusGFS programs.
• Good verbal, written and interpersonal communication.
• Numeracy skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in all aspects of the production process including data collection, integrated pest management (IPM), climate and irrigation management, crop maintenance, labor planning, scheduling and execution.
• Monitor and report on Labor quality and efficiencies
• Personally able to perform all crop care tasks.
• Assist with training to Growing Team.
• Mix and apply plant nutrition and plant health products as needed.
• Monitor greenhouse climate and irrigation control systems.
• Record, measure and organize plant data.
• Draw water samples; coordinate with testing lab; monitor and record data.
• Routinely inspect the crop; remove substandard or diseased plants to maintain quality standards.
• Execute minor maintenance/upkeep to growing equipment such as carts, spray equipment, irrigation unit filters, irrigation valves, diaphragms, sulfur pots, etc.
• Research continuous improvement concepts, new growing techniques and technologies; report findings
• Continually monitor the work environment and employees to ensure policies and procedures are complied with.
• Report food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority
• Ensure all GMP’s, SOP’s, policies and procedures are followed to company standards and expectations.
• Other tasks as defined by the company.

Skills

IPM

Data collection

Climate control

Irrigation management

Labor planning

Crop care

Training

Plant nutrition

Data recording

GMP awareness

Education

Post secondary horticulture certification

High school diploma

Tools

PRIVA climate control

MS Excel

Job description

The Assistant Grower will support the Head or Operational Grower in all phases of growing operations. This role contributes to the success of the greenhouse operation by ensuring a healthy, high-quality crop of produce is grown efficiently to meet company standards and customer expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in all aspects of the production process including data collection, integrated pest management (IPM), climate and irrigation management, crop maintenance, labor planning, scheduling and execution.
• Monitor and report on Labor quality and efficiencies
• Personally able to perform all crop care tasks.
• Assist with training to Growing Team.
• Mix and apply plant nutrition and plant health products as needed.
• Monitor greenhouse climate and irrigation control systems.
• Record, measure and organize plant data.
• Draw water samples; coordinate with testing lab; monitor and record data.
• Routinely inspect the crop; remove substandard or diseased plants to maintain quality standards.
• Execute minor maintenance/upkeep to growing equipment such as carts (scissor, harvesting, etc..) spray equipment, Irrigation unit filters, irrigation valves, diaphragms, sulfur pots, etc.
• Research continuous improvement concepts, new growing techniques and technologies; report findings
• Continually monitor the work environment and employees to ensure that company and statutory hygiene, and health & safety policies and procedures are complied with.
• Report food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority
• Ensure all GMP’s, SOP’s, policies and procedures are followed to company standards and expectations.
• Other tasks as defined by the company.

Qualifications:

• Secondary school diploma required; Post secondary education or certification in Horticulture or related field preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years experience in a commercial greenhouse or farm environment required; produce industry preferred.
• WHIMS and Grower Pesticide certification is an asset.
• Experience working with PRIVA greenhouse climate control system.
• Attention to detail, including an ability to identify plant abnormalities and detect the existence of insects.
• Computer Skills required; Microsoft (MS) Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices, Health and Safety, Food Safety, HACCP and PrimusGFS programs.
• Good verbal, written and interpersonal communication.
• Numeracy skills essential.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a hot, high humidity environment where temperatures average 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but may increase to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime. The noise level in the work environment can be loud due to packaging machinery and forklift truck operation.
• Role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Specific vision capabilities required; employee is to occasionally work in front of a computer, sitting for prolonged periods.
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; bend; twist; use hands to handle or feel product or packaging; and reach with hands and arms. The position involves walking and lifting, regularly, up to 30-pounds, occasionally up to 50-pounds.

Compensation & Benefits:

This position offers a salary range of $50,000 - $70,000 USD annually, commensurate with experience, skills, and internal equity. In addition, Pure Flavor provides a competitive total rewards package that includes company benefits packages, 401K matching, and paid time off.