Greenhouse Operations & Controlled Environments Leader

Sumitomo Biorational Company; Libertyville, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Discretionary bonus

Retirement vesting

Life insurance

Paid time off

Volunteer days

Job summary

Sumitomo Biorational Company in Libertyville, IL is seeking a Regular Full Time greenhouse operations leader to oversee daily research greenhouse activities and support scientists in high-quality experiments developing plant growth regulators and biopesticides.

You will manage irrigation, fertilization, pest control, SOPs, and training, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while coordinating with Facilities for improvements.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of horticulture, plant biology, plant growth cycles, and common plant diseases and pests.
• Expertise in greenhouse management practices, including irrigation, fertilization, and upkeep of systems.
• Illinois Commercial Pesticide Applicator license is required.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good computer skills for record-keeping and data analysis.
• Three to five years of research greenhouse management experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate smooth operations of all greenhouse activities, maintaining open communication with research scientists, technical support staff, and facilities management personnel.
• Work with greenhouse technician to provide research groups with a consistent supply of uniform, high-quality plants to conduct bioassays.
• Implement improved processes and efficiencies as identified.
• Lead regular meetings with greenhouse and controlled environments users to convey information and discuss arising issues.
• Collaborate with research staff to assign and modify appropriate spaces for experiments.
• Maintain cleanliness of all spaces, performing routine cleaning, calibration, maintenance, and repair/replacement of greenhouse equipment, including environmental control systems and fertilization systems.
• Coordinate with Facilities Manager for repairs and improvements in greenhouses, headhouses, and growth chamber spaces.
• Lead the greenhouse pesticide application and scouting teams. Alert greenhouse users to any pest and disease issues and take corrective actions. Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental regulations and safety standards.
• Develop and/or update SOPs for greenhouse procedures and equipment.
• Train greenhouse users on equipment and procedures; maintain training logs and ensure records compliance.
• Manage greenhouse waste disposal.
• Manage and train greenhouse technicians.
• Manage inventory and budgets.
• Must be able to operate a table lift for moving soil bales and to hand-mix soil combinations.
• Conducts all work in strict compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements, standard operating practices, and/or guidelines.

Skills

Horticulture

Plant biology

Growth cycles

Pest management

Pesticide license

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Record-keeping

Education

Associate degree in horticulture or greenhouse management

Bachelor's or Master's in horticulture/plant science

Job description

Sumitomo Biorational Company in Libertyville, IL is seeking a Regular Full Time greenhouse operations leader to oversee daily research greenhouse activities and support scientists in high-quality experiments developing plant growth regulators and biopesticides.

You will manage irrigation, fertilization, pest control, SOPs, and training, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance while coordinating with Facilities for improvements.