Grower

Green Circle Growers; Oberlin (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, OH, seeks a Grower to manage daily plant care, environmental controls, and IPM practices. The role blends hands-on greenhouse work with technical expertise and leadership responsibilities to support a productive growing operation.

The Grower will determine nutrient and irrigation needs, regulate climate, and train Grower Helpers, ensuring high-quality crops and accurate record-keeping. Strong communication is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field, or relevant experience.
• 3+ years hands-on greenhouse growing experience.
• Valid Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator License or ability to obtain one.
• English literacy required; bilingual Spanish skills are a plus.
• Flexibility to work weekends.
• Strong tech skills including Word/Excel; Priva knowledge a plus.
• Training and mentorship abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Determine nutrient, irrigation, and moisture requirements for optimal crop performance.
• Implement IPM strategies to monitor and control pests.
• Regulate environmental conditions using Priva climate control software.
• Optimize crop quality through pinching, culling, and spacing decisions.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot crop health issues and take corrective action.
• Maintain records of crop activities, observations, pesticide applications, and growth data.
• Train and supervise Grower Helpers and Assistant Growers.
• Collaborate with management to adjust plans based on performance or environment.
• Troubleshoot greenhouse systems to maintain stable growing conditions.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance for assigned crops.

Skills

Greenhouse management

IPM knowledge

Environmental controls

Leadership

Training & mentoring

MS Word/Excel

Priva software

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or related field

Tools

Priva software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Green Circle Growers was founded in 1968 by John van Wingerden. With just a few acres, Green Circle Growers began selling to other companies like variety stores, lumber yards, hardware stores, and grocery stores. Today, Green Circle Growers is still owned and operated by the van Wingerden family and has grown to over 150 acres of indoor growing space. Our state-of-the-art greenhouses offer many different environments to keep up with the demanding mix of products that today’s market expects. We now provide plants to regional and national stores across the United States and Canada. We are able to market and offer broad products to mass merchants, as well as to growers. The retail market expects the full line of annuals in flats, containers, and baskets. The grower line produces pre-finished containers, plugs, and liners.

Position Overview

The Grower plays a key role in ensuring the successful production of high quality crops by managing day to day plant care, environmental controls, and IPM practices. This position combines hands on greenhouse work with technical expertise, problem solving, and leadership responsibilities by serving as a subject matter expert for assigned crops while supporting team members and maintaining efficient, organized growing operations.

Job Duties

• Determine nutrient, irrigation, and moisture requirements to ensure optimal plant development and crop performance
• Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to effectively monitor and control pest pressures
• Regulate environmental conditions including humidity, ventilation, and temperature utilizing Priva climate control software
• Optimize crop quality and marketability through pinching, culling, spacing decisions, and other crop shaping techniques
• Diagnose and troubleshoot crop health issues including unknown symptoms or damage and take corrective action
• Maintain accurate records of crop activities, observations, pesticide applications, and growth data
• Train, delegate tasks, and establish work routines for Grower Helpers and Assistant Growers
• Follow established crop schedules and collaborate with management to adjust plans as needed based on performance or environmental factors
• Troubleshoot greenhouse mechanical and environmental control systems to maintain stable growing conditions
• Serve as the subject matter expert for assigned crops to provide guidance, technical knowledge, and leadership in best practices and decision making
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in all operational areas
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or other related field or relevant experience required
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in greenhouse growing
• Valid Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator License or the ability to obtain one
• English literacy required; bilingual Spanish skills are a plus
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule including some weekends
• Strong technological skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and knowledge of Priva software is a plus
• Training and mentorship abilities
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

Physical Environment & Requirements

• Plant/Production facility, occasionally outside, or in-store; Possible extreme heat/cold dependent on season
• Continuously requires ability to follow verbal and/or written direction
• Frequently requires walking, lifting (up to 50lbs), carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling (up to 200lbs), bending, and crouching
• Occasionally requires sitting, standing, fine dexterity, climbing and handling
• May require ability to operate machinery, drive vehicles (truck, car, van, tug, forklift) or use equipment such as hand tools, computers, or general business equipment
• CDL license or tug/forklift certification may be required
• Must have and maintain a current Ohio private pesticide applicators license. Pesticide license must be maintained while employed as a Grower at Green Circle Growers, with taking recertification classes as required