Objective / Accountability:
To produce high quality greenhouse crops and be responsible for all functions and activities of the Virgil Nursery greenhouse facilities.
Function / Corresponding Tasks:
Growing & Propagation responsibilities –
- Be responsible for the irrigation management of all greenhouse crops. Make decisions based on regular scouting. Direct and perform spot watering as needed.
- Programing of the VPD system to create proper misting and fog settings for propagation.
- Fertilize crops based on scouting and soil testing. Conduct soil tests to determine fertility needs. Properly mix stock tanks of fertilizer and adjust the fertilizer injector accordingly. Keep accurate records and notes on fertilization.
- Programing the Wadsworth and Link 4 greenhouse control systems to create the proper growing conditions.
- Perform weekly scouting for insects and disease. Notify the Plant Health Department of infestations.
- Monitor crop stages to ensure that product will be ready when needed. Have the ability to appropriately change the greenhouse environment to increase or decrease crop stage.
- Support and assist the Propagation Foreman and South Propagation Nursery as needed. Propagate softwood & hardwood cuttings. Harden off and grow on liners produced at South Propagation. Produce and grow plugs from seed.
- Produce crops of specialty items for internal company events. (Poinsettias for Christmas party, veggies for charity sale, centerpieces for events, etc.)
- Apply plant growth regulators as required or needed.
Scheduling & production responsibilities –
- Maintain accurate greenhouse records which are easily accessible and usable for future planning. Accurately schedule plants to be saleable for defined sales times. Develop, implement, and refine repeatable growing recipes and plans of the greenhouse crops.
- Plan out greenhouse space so that all available heated space is used efficiently. Group plants with similar cultural needs together for the proper growing conditions and crop development.
- Develop and promote the greenhouse programs. Partake in greenhouse product development and sales forecasting.
- Oversee the shipping of greenhouse crops to ensure that the plant material is assembled and shipped properly from the greenhouse.
- Oversee the inventories of production materials such as bamboo, fertilizer, labels, etc. Budget and order these materials.
- Monitor and communicate greenhouse fuel consumption.
- Write and maintain procedures on all greenhouse functions.
- Participate in the planning and development of future greenhouse needs.
Supervision & personnel responsibilities -
- Manage, coach, and train the greenhouse team consisting of the greenhouse crew leader, greenhouse area grower, and 6 general production workers in all procedures and processes related to greenhouse production.
- Perform annual performance evaluations of the greenhouse team. Create yearly goals for team members and review with them on a quarterly basis.
- Maintain a safe working environment. Conduct biweekly tailgate safety training.
- Approve biweekly payroll of the greenhouse crew.
- Be part of the supervisor on duty rotation.
- Scheduling of weekend and holiday watering.
- Support and enforce company policies.
Greenhouse facilities responsibilities -
- Conduct regular maintenance inspections of the greenhouse facilities to ensure that all equipment and systems are in proper working order. Make the proper repairs or contact the appropriate persons to make the repairs.
- Ensure weekly cleaning and calibration of the fertilizer and acid injector to ensure that it is working properly.
- Ensure boom filters and nozzles are cleaned as necessary.
- Maintain records of greenhouse film and shade cloth replacement.
- Be on call afterhours and be able to respond and report to greenhouse alarms.
Plant health responsibilities -
- Promote effective pest control through regular scouting.
- Support, coordinate, and carryout applications of chemical treatments of herbicide, plant growth regulator, fungicide, or insecticide as needed in conjunction with the plant health department.
- Assist the Plant Health department with biological and predatory insect control methods.
- Obtain and maintain a current State of IL pesticide operator’s license.
Inventory responsibilities -
- Keep accurate inventory, enter and report change of locations of product, keep plant material labeled properly.
- Promptly and accurately report losses and code them correctly.
- Complete production reports accurately and timely.
- Partake in annual physical inventory under the direction of the Inventory Coordinator.
- Receive in materials such as plugs, cuttings, seed, containers, soil, etc.
Research/trial responsibilities –
- Conduct trials as directed by either the Nursery Manager or Plant Health Manager. This may include PGRs, greenhouse forcing, pesticide applications, fertilizer applications, or other projects as directed. Distribute and present the trial data to the appropriate persons.
- Trail new and accessioned plant materials as directed. Give input to the accession team on plant performance.
- Keep accurate records on trials and research. Present data and conclusions to the appropriate persons.
Personal growth and company representation:
- Acquire necessary skills and knowledge to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
- Cross-train and learn other tasks and responsibilities in the division.
- Carry out other tasks or responsibilities as assigned by the Nursery Manager.
- Set and achieve professional goals through the company.
- Represent the company at seminars and industry events in a professional manner.
- Virgil tour guide when appropriate.
- Set a professional standard by example.
- Keep up with industry technology, markets, regulations, new techniques, etc.
Required education and/or experience:
- A 2 or 4 year horticulture degree and 5 years of greenhouse management experience.
- Experience managing a team of employees.
- Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.
- A State of Illinois pesticide applicator’s license or the ability to obtain one.
Required Skills:
- Manage, train, and supervise a team of employees.
- Multitasking and working under pressure.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft systems.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to keep accurate records.
- Knowledge of the horticulture industry such as plant ID, pest ID, & growing.
Expectations:
- The ability to lift 50 lbs.
- The ability to maintain good lines of communication.
- The ability to successfully grow crops of plants.
- The ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
- The ability to respond to greenhouse alarms.
Job Type: Full-time