Senior Grower
Pure Hothouse Foods, marketed under the Pure Flavor® brand, 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 Summary:
The Senior Grower will oversee the planting, cultivation and harvesting of produce commodities and is responsible for maintaining a healthy vibrant crop to ensure a maximum yield. This role is vital to the success of the greenhouse operation by ensuring a high-quality crop of produce is grown to meet company standards and customer expectations.
Job Responsibilities:
· Manage all aspects of the production and harvesting process including integrated pest management, climate management, crop maintenance, labor planning and scheduling.
· Participate in planning growing activities that are consistent with production schedule and company standards.
· Prepare the facility and greenhouse operation for new plants.
· Oversee clean out process at the end of a crop cycle.
· Monitor growing conditions and review changes in humidity, moisture, and temperature; monitor cultivation procedures to ensure conformance with quality control standards.
· Apply fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides as needed.
· Inspect crops on a regular basis; remove substandard or diseased plants to maintain quality standards.
· Develop growing procedures for new species in product line and new cultivation techniques.
· Record 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, and health & safety policies and procedures are followed, taking corrective action when necessary.
· Report food safety and quality concerns to appropriate personnel.
· Ensure compliance of all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), SOP’s and company policies and procedures.
· Other core expectations as defined by the company.
Qualifications and Skill Requirements:
· Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or related field, required.
· Minimum three (3) years’ years experience in a commercial greenhouse environment, or equivalent combination of education and related experience required.
· WHIMS and Grower Pesticide certification, required.
· Experience working with PRIVA greenhouse climate control system, preferred.
· Detailed knowledge of major plant groups, their culture and growth traits.
· Ability to identify plant diseases and detect the existence of insects.
· Proven ability to accurately calculate amounts, proportions, percentages, and volume in the application of fertilizers, chemicals and water.
· Experience in the use of injectors, electrical conductivity and pH meter, boom and irrigation systems.
· Thorough knowledge of water lines and ability to monitor conditions such as ventilation, light conditions, temperature, and humidity.
· In-depth knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, Health and Safety, Food Safety, HACCP and the PrimusGFS program.
· Numeracy skills essential.
· Computer Skills required; Microsoft (MS) Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
· Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
· Ability to trouble shoot issues and implement corrective action.
Work Environment:
· This job operates in a hot, high humidity environment where temperature average 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but may increase to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime. The 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, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. 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 involves walking and lifting, regularly, up to 30-pounds, occasionally up to 50-pounds.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career opportunity, submit your resume to Pure Hothouse Foods today!
Pure Flavor Farms is committed to providing an accessible and barrier-free environment. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please contact the Human Resources department if an accommodation is required.
Check us out at www.pure-flavor.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.