SimpLea Produce Team Leader

Charles-Lea-Center; Lawson (SC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles Lea Center, through the Simplea Produce program, seeks a Team Leader to supervise and train team members in hydroponic greenhouse operations, ensuring high-quality produce and adherence to safety standards. The role focuses on teaching vocational skills, safety, and professional growth while supporting individuals with disabilities in a hands-on environment.

Responsibilities include coordinating crop production, maintaining equipment and documentation, and delivering excellent customer

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability and willingness to transport individuals served in Charles Lea Center vehicles.
• Basic computer skills, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to accurately use measurements and follow directions for greenhouse chemicals and nutrient management.

Responsibilities

• Train, coach, and support team members in greenhouse operations and vocational skills.
• Provide supervision and guidance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Model proper work habits, safety procedures, and job expectations.
• Promote independence, personal growth, and vocational development.
• Monitor performance and assist team members in achieving training objectives.
• Ensure individuals receiving services are safe, supported, and adequately supervised at all times.
• Maintain documentation related to attendance, accountability, training progress, and program requirements.
• Perform and teach all aspects of hydroponic crop production, including seeding, planting, transplanting, crop maintenance, pruning, harvesting, packing and distribution.
• Monitor environmental controls, nutrient levels, pH, and EC levels.
• Maintain greenhouse cleanliness and organization.
• Monitor crops for pests, disease, and overall plant health.
• Assist with crop planning and production scheduling to maximize yield and meet customer demand.
• Train team members on food safety, sanitation, and GAP.
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of food safety programs.
• Ensure required logs and documentation are completed accurately and timely.
• Maintain high-quality standards for all produce and customer orders.
• Safely operate company vehicles, transport team members, products, equipment, and supplies, and support farmers market operations.
• Deliver products to customers and build positive customer relationships.

Skills

Team leadership

Training

Safety procedures

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

SimpLea Produce - Team Leader

Charles Lea Center | Business Ventures Division

Grow More Than Produce. Grow Potential.

Charles Lea Center is seeking a dedicatedTeam Leader for our Simplea Produce program. This position plays a vital role in training and supporting individuals with disabilities while helping operate a successful hydroponic greenhouse business. The Team Leader works alongside team members to teach job skills, ensure safety, maintain crop production, and provide quality products to customers.

If you are passionate about agriculture, leadership, and empowering others to achieve their fullest potential, we encourage you to apply.

Position Summary

The Team Leader provides hands‑on supervision, training, and support to Simplea Produce Team Members while helping manage greenhouse operations and crop production. This role ensures a safe, productive, and inclusive work environment while maintaining high standards for food safety, customer service, and operational excellence.

Essential Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Training

• Train, coach, and support team members in greenhouse operations and vocational skills.
• Provide supervision and guidance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Work alongside team members to model proper work habits, safety procedures, and job expectations.
• Promote independence, personal growth, and vocational development.
• Monitor performance and assist team members in achieving training objectives.
• Ensure individuals receiving services are safe, supported, and adequately supervised at all times.
• Maintain documentation related to attendance, accountability, training progress, and program requirements.

Greenhouse Operations

• Perform and teach all aspects of hydroponic crop production, including:
  • Seeding
  • Planting and transplanting
  • Crop maintenance
  • Pruning
  • Harvesting
  • Packing and distribution
• Monitor and adjust environmental controls, nutrient levels, pH, and EC levels.
• Maintain greenhouse cleanliness and organization.
• Monitor crops for pests, disease, and overall plant health.
• Assist with crop planning and production scheduling to maximize yield and meet customer demand.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

• Train team members on food safety, sanitation, and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of food safety programs.
• Ensure required logs and documentation are completed accurately and timely.
• Maintain high-quality standards for all produce and customer orders.

Transportation & Customer Service

• Safely operate company vehicles, including vans and trucks, and may tow trailers as needed.
• Transport team members, products, equipment, and supplies safely.
• Deliver products to customers and support farmers market operations.
• Build and maintain positive customer relationships through professional service.

Inventory & Equipment Management

• Monitor inventory levels and reorder supplies as needed.
• Maintain equipment, tools, storage areas, and workspaces in a clean and professional condition.
• Train team members on proper use, care, and accountability of equipment and supplies.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained and in safe working condition.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and enforce a "Safety First and Always" culture.
• Ensure proper use of tools, equipment, chemicals, fertilizers, and personal protective equipment.
• Document and report incidents, injuries, concerns, or safety issues according to company policy.
• Protect confidential information and maintain compliance with all Charles Lea Center policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Ability and willingness to transport individuals served in Charles Lea Center vehicles
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to accurately use measurements and follow directions for greenhouse chemicals and nutrient management

Preferred

• Experience in greenhouse operations, hydroponics, horticulture, or agriculture
• Experience supervising, training, or mentoring others
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Knowledge of food safety and GAP standards

Physical Requirements

This role involves regular standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and lifting throughout the workday, including lifting and carrying supplies, equipment, or materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The position requires the ability to safely operate cleaning equipment and tools, perform hands‑on job duties alongside Crew Members, and work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Schedule

• Primarily Monday through Friday
• Flexibility required based on organizational needs, seasonal demands, greenhouse operations, and special projects.

Working Environment

• Schedule: Full‑time position averaging 40 hours per week, with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday. Flexibility is required to meet organizational needs, seasonal demands, and operational priorities.
• Environment that requires patience, empathy, and the desire to support people with varying levels of intellectual and/or physical limitations.
• Requires the ability and willingness to work in a greenhouse or outdoor environment and tolerate seasonal fluctuations in weather/work patterns, and to perform physical tasks.

Charles Lea Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process.