Assistant Grower

Mastronardi Produce pioneered the commercial greenhouse industry in North America, and we’re now the leading greenhouse vegetable company on the continent. Our award-winning, flavorful produce is packed under the SUNSET® brand and is available at leading grocery retailers across North America. Family owned for over 65 years, we pride ourselves on having the most flavorful products and the best people in the industry. We are constantly pushing boundaries to be a leader in fresh produce innovation. We seek individuals that demonstrate our PRIDE values (Passion, Respect, Innovation, Drive, Excellence) to help us fulfill our mission to inspire healthy living through WOW flavor experiences.

Fresh for Sunset, our Greenhouse partnership in Delta, BC is currently an Assistant Grower. The essential function of this role is to manage daily crop care efforts to maximize production and ensure proper techniques and sequence of tasks to benefit crop growth. You will also be responsible for planning and coordinating with assistant crop care manager and all crop care tasks in assigned area during regular and interplant season.

Values:

To perform the job successfully, the incumbent’s behavior must be consistent with the PRIDE values expected of all Mastronardi Produce employees: be Passionate; have Respect; be Innovative; be Driven and strive for Excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Follow direction of (head) grower and work with computer and other equipment to ensure optimum crop growing. Carry out daily production activities.
• Manage daily crop care efforts to maximize production and ensure proper techniques and sequence of tasks to benefit crop growth.
• Responsible for planning and coordinating with assistant crop care manager all crop care tasks in assigned area during regular and interplant season.
• Document, assist and consult with Grower with various trials being performed in the greenhouse, along with interpretation of weekly recordings of important plant measurements.
• Working with IPM Manager, share responsibility for pest and disease control. Monitor pests and manage bio control and bee pollination.
• Responsible for submitting water samples, interpreting results and adjusting fertilizers accordingly
• Weekly and daily crop and Climate registration.
• Fertilizer preparation. Water sampling.
• Variety recording and verification of data.
• Ensures crop work is completed within time and quality parameters.
• Responsible for ensuring that employees using equipment appropriately and maintain equipment in good working order.
• Manage inventory of daily use tools and supplies for crop care workers. Investigate and implement more effective tools while keeping costs controlled.
• Involved in disciplinary actions when required with staff in accordance with company policies.
• Ensure cleanliness, adherence to all food safety policies and procedures and organization within the designated greenhouse areas.
• Available to supervise yearly activities such as crop clean out and planting of new crops

Education/Background Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of agricultural or related experience required.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Able to supervise a team.
• Be innovative, possess analytical skills, result-oriented, composure under pressures, attention to detail, perseverance.
• Independent and able to drive other functions in achieving the goals.
• Has good technical skills, knowledge and capabilities in packaging technology and applications.
• Ability to set priorities considering short and long-term needs of the business.
• International travel required between greenhouse operations.

Working Conditions:

• Greenhouse Environment, where the temperature averages 70°F and background noise approaches 70 dcbs.
• Position requires sitting, standing, and walking on a regular basis.
• Visual and audio sensory are needed regularly.
• Must have manual dexterity to perform computer skills and operate equipment.

Please note: Mastronardi Produce has accommodation processes and policies in place and provides accommodation for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resource office so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodation to be put in place.

Salary is $60k/yr-$70k/yr CAD