Assistant Grower, Oneida NY

Mastronardi Produce Ltd.; City of Oneida (NY); On-site; USD 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastronardi Produce Ltd. in New York is seeking an Assistant Grower to support the Head Grower in achieving strategic greenhouse goals and daily crop care.

You will plan, organize, lead and control crop tasks, supervise staff, manage budgets, and coordinate trials and pest control with IPM. Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of agricultural experience required.
• Strong communication, negotiation skills and team supervision.

Responsibilities

• Follow direction of (head) grower and perform daily crop care tasks.
• Plan and coordinate crop care to maximize production and growth.
• Document trials and interpret plant measurements weekly.
• Assist with pest/disease control and bio-control management.
• Ensure proper fertilizer and water sampling; record data.
• Maintain equipment and inventory; enforce safety and cleanliness.
• Supervise staff and participate in disciplinary actions as needed.
• Comply with food safety policies in greenhouse areas.
• Support annual labor budget planning and performance reviews.

Skills

Communication skills

Team supervision

Innovative

Analytical skills

Detail oriented

Resilience under pressure

Independent initiative

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Primary Function:

Reporting to the Head Grower, the Assistant Grower is responsible for the achievement of strategic plan goals for overall management and oversight of the greenhouse. The position is also responsible to plan, organize, lead and control the daily crop caring tasks. This will include managing the employee annual performance and regular reviews, disciplinary actions, performance awards, preparing the annual labor budget and working towards meeting the established goals and meet our customer demands.

Values:

To perform the job successfully, the incumbent’s behavior must be consistent with the PRIDE values expected of all Green Empire Farms employees: be Passionate; have Respect; be Innovative; be Driven and strive for Excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Follow direction of (head) grower and work with computer and other equipment to ensure optimum crop growing. Carry out daily production activities.
• Manage daily crop care efforts to maximize production and ensure proper techniques and sequence of tasks to benefit crop growth.
• Responsible for planning and coordinating with assistant crop care manager all crop care tasks in assigned area during regular and interplant season.
• Document, assist and consult with Grower with various trials being performed in the greenhouse, along with interpretation of weekly recordings of important plant measurements.
• Working with IPM Manager, share responsibility for pest and disease control. Monitor pests and manage bio control and bee pollination.
• Responsible for submitting water samples, interpreting results and adjusting fertilizers accordingly
• Weekly and daily crop and Climate registration.
• Fertilizer preparation. Water sampling.
• Variety recording and verification of data.
• Ensures crop work is completed within time and quality parameters.
• Responsible for ensuring that employees using equipment appropriately and maintain equipment in good working order.
• Manage inventory of daily use tools and supplies for crop care workers. Investigate and implement more effective tools while keeping costs controlled.
• Involved in disciplinary actions when required with staff in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure cleanliness, adherence to all food safety policies and procedures and organization within the designated greenhouse areas.
• Available to supervise yearly activities such as crop clean out and planting of new crop in areas where required.

Education/Background Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of agricultural or related experience required.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Able to supervise a team.
• Be innovative, possess analytical skills, result-oriented, composure under pressures, attention to detail, perseverance.
• Independent and able to drive other functions in achieving the goals.
• Has good technical skills, knowledge and capabilities in packaging technology and applications.
• Ability to set priorities considering short and long-term needs of the business.
• International travel required between greenhouse operations.

Working Conditions:

• Greenhouse Environment, where the temperature averages 70°F and background noise approaches 70 dcbs.

Salary starting at $58,500 *compensation based on skill level

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.