Lead Grower: Greenhouse Crop Production

Pure-Flavor; Rochelle (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pure-Flavor seeks a Grower to manage all crop production activities, lead a team including Assistant Growers, IPM Specialists, Labor Supervisors and Quality Control staff, and collaborate with the General Manager to run the facility.

You will oversee climate strategy, crop protection, nutrition, and production planning, ensuring high yields and quality while complying with GMP, HACCP and PrimusGFS standards.

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.

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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Problem-solving

Numeracy

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture

Tools

PRIVA climate control

Microsoft Office

Job description

Pure-Flavor seeks a Grower to manage all crop production activities, lead a team including Assistant Growers, IPM Specialists, Labor Supervisors and Quality Control staff, and collaborate with the General Manager to run the facility.

You will oversee climate strategy, crop protection, nutrition, and production planning, ensuring high yields and quality while complying with GMP, HACCP and PrimusGFS standards.