Growing Operator

Little Leaf Farms, LLC; Manchester (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Leaf Farms, LLC is seeking a Growing Operator to support greenhouse crop production. The role focuses on monitoring irrigation and fertilizer systems, recording readings, maintaining equipment, and assisting the Growing team with daily tasks to ensure crop quality.

Candidates should be able to work in a greenhouse, lift up to 50 pounds, and follow safety and GMP guidelines while contributing to continuous improvement in operations.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of greenhouse operations and crop production.
• Experience in greenhouse, nursery, hydroponic, or food production is preferred.
• Ability to follow standardized work instructions and maintain accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Safely clean sensors and filters and inspect irrigation units for accuracy.
• Assist with mixing fertilizer and organizing fertilizer pallets.
• Verify irrigation head performance and ensure proper flow and pressure.
• Maintain irrigation logs with daily readings (EC, pH, ORP, DO, temperature).
• Support seeding, crop care, harvesting, and other greenhouse tasks as needed.
• Follow food safety, GMP, HACCP and workplace safety requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Food safety

Reliability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Irrigation equipment

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Growing Operator is responsible for supporting greenhouse crop production by monitoring irrigation and fertilizer systems, collecting irrigation unit readings, cleaning filters, maintaining the irrigation room, and assisting the Growing team with other crop production tasks as needed. This role is essential to ensuring irrigation systems are properly monitored and maintained, with accurate readings and filtration that support crop quality standards.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safely and efficiently clean sensors and filters.
• Inspect irrigation units for accuracy and proper pressure and flow.
• Assisting the growing team with mixing fertilizer and keeping fertilizer pallets clean and organized.
• Inspect irrigation feeders and drippers in the grow lines to ensure everything is getting irrigated.
• Assist the growing team with IPM and general greenhouse tasks.
• Operate irrigation equipment and assist with setup, maintenance, and adjustments to the units.
• Maintain accurate irrigation logs with daily readings for EC, pH, ORP, DO, water temperature, and UV disinfection.
• Assist growing team with all growing related tasks as needed.
• Perform flushing of irrigation system with assistance from the growing team.
• Perform sanitation procedures on equipment, workstations and in the growing areas.
• Adhere to all food safety, GMP, HACCP, and workplace safety requirements.
• Assist with seeding, crop care, harvesting, and other greenhouse activities as needed.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

Required

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds safely.
• Ability to work in a greenhouse environment with varying temperatures and humidity levels.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized work instructions.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Preferred

• Previous greenhouse, agricultural, nursery, hydroponic, or food production experience.
• Experience operating irrigation and greenhouse equipment.
• High School Diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Basic understanding of plant growth and crop production.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to identify quality issues and escalation concerns appropriately.
• Commitment to food safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Ability to work independently and maintain productivity in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, twisting, and reaching.
• Repetitive hand and arm motions throughout the shift.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as operational needs require.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

• Indoor high-tech greenhouse environment.
• Exposure to warm temperatures, humidity, moisture, and agricultural production conditions.
• Use of PPE as required.