Grower

Pure Flavor; Rochelle, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pure Flavor is seeking a Grower to lead crop production, mentor a team, and ensure best-in-class yields and quality for its greenhouse operations. You will collaborate with the General Manager to run the facility, manage IPM, climate controls, labor planning, and crop nutrition while upholding food safety standards.

The role requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and a hands-on approach to optimizing greenhouse performance in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in a commercial greenhouse environment or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Create and sustain a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Manage all aspects of production and harvesting processes including IPM, climate management, crop maintenance, labor planning and scheduling.
• Use data-driven approaches to manage crop protection, plant health, and nutrition.
• Oversee climate strategy and settings for greenhouse equipment and irrigation.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Data-driven

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PRIVA climate control

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Grower position is primary responsible to manage all aspects of crop production to achieve best in class yields and quality. The Grower leads and mentors a team of Assistant Growers, IPM Specialists, Labor Supervisors and Quality Control staff engaged in the planting, cultivation, harvesting and packing of produce commodities. The Grower is responsible for growing and maintaining a high-quality, healthy, vibrant crop that maximizes 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 Manufacturing Practices, 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 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 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 (e.g. filing boxes.