Grower

MMJ Daily; Rochelle (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pure Flavor is seeking a Grower to manage all aspects of crop production, aiming for best-in-class yields and quality. The Grower leads a team across planting, cultivation, harvesting and packing to meet company standards and customer requirements.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Grower will oversee climate strategy, IPM program, fertilizers and pest management, ensuring compliance with GMP, HACCP and food safety standards while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Five (5) years’ experience in a commercial greenhouse environment.
• Grower pesticide certification required.
• Experience with greenhouse climate control systems and labor registration; PRIVA preferred.
• Understanding of production in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and PrimusGFS.

Responsibilities

• Create and sustain a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Lead and mentor a team across planting, cultivation, harvesting and packing.
• Manage production and harvesting including IPM, climate management, labor planning, and scheduling.
• Apply data-driven approaches to crop health, protection, and nutrition decisions.
• Oversee maintenance and operation of greenhouse equipment and irrigation systems.
• Develop cultivation techniques for new varieties and product offerings.
• Record and share data on growing techniques and production yields.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Numeracy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or related field

Tools

PRIVA

MS Office

Job description

Pure Flavor 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 Title: Grower

Job Summary:

TheGrowerposition is primary responsible to manage all aspects of crop production to achieve best in class yields and quality.The Grower leadsand mentors ateam of Assistant Growers, IPM Specialists, Labor Supervisorsand Quality Control staff engaged in the planting, cultivation,harvesting and packing ofproduce commodities. The Grower is responsible for growing and maintaining a high-quality, healthy, vibrant crop thatmaximizes yield & quality expectations, company standards and customer requirements.The Grower will work closely and collaboratively with the General Manager, to run the entire facility(s).

Responsibilities:

• Create and sustain a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Continuously foster emergent talent and “build the bench” of growing talent.
• Manage all aspects of the production and harvesting process including integrated pest management (IPM), climate management, crop maintenance, labor planning and scheduling.
• Use data-driven approaches to manage all areas of crop protection, plant health, and plant nutrition.
• Manage minor maintenance/upkeep to growing equipment such as Spray Robot (filters and nozzles) Irrigation unit filters, Irrigation valves, diaphragms etc.
• Participate in planning growing activities that are consistent with production schedule and company standards.
• Oversee climate strategy for all plants and compartments.
• Determine optimal settings for all greenhouse equipment and irrigation.
• Evaluate climate strategy impact on energy use and yield.
• Oversee and determine all cultural practices.
• Oversee IPM program – compliance, record keeping and IPM strategy.
• Manage the application of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Monitor functioning of greenhouse, production, and irrigation equipment regularly with Maintenance.
• Oversee plant nutritional program.
• Review crop schedules and adjust as needed for sales, operations or plant needs.
• Provide training as needed on crop-specific tasks.
• Prepare the facility and greenhouse operation for new plants.
• Oversee clean out process at the end of a crop cycle.
• Develop cultivation techniquesfor new varieties and product offerings.
• Record, track, and share data on growing techniques and production yields.
• Research and implement continuous improvement concepts, new growing techniques, and technologies.
• Monitor the working environment to ensure that company and statutory hygiene, SOP’s, GMP’s and health & safety policies and procedures are consistently followed, taking corrective action when necessary.
• Reports food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority.
• Other core expectations as defined by the company.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required;bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in a commercial greenhouse environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Grower Pesticide certification required.
• Experience working with greenhouse climate control systems and labor registration required; PRIVA preferred.
• Understanding of all aspects of crop production and growing in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
• In-depth knowledge of Good ManufacturingPractices, Health and Safety, Food Safety, HACCP and the PrimusGFS program.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft (MS) Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated leadership and vision capabilities in managing staff groups and project management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style, and the ability to delegate effectively.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, numeracy skills required.
• Proven ability to manage conflict and demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.

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 and depending on location, may decrease to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Noise level in the work environment can be loud due to packaging machinery and forklift truck operation.
• Role routine uses standard office equipment such as computers andphones. Specific vision capabilities required; employee is to occasionally work in front of a computer, sitting for prolong 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 may involve needing to lift to 30-pounds, occasionally up to 50-pounds.

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.