Greenhouse and Farm Equipment Specialist

Responsibilities

• Ensures successful growth and development of all greenhouse phases of crop growing cycles for a diverse portfolio of table grape, stone fruit, and sub-tropical crops.
• Plans and schedules activities within the greenhouse and screenhouses to be able to obtain uniform, fast growing, healthy young vines and trees to be later transplanted into our breeding blocks in the open field.
• Oversees successful planting, irrigation, nutrition, pest management for the growing inside greenhouses and screenhouses.
• Stays current on innovations in greenhouse management through continuing education and networking.
• Implements and follows clean plant protocols according to Sun World policies.
• Manages, personally or through contract services, pest control and fertilizer applications.
• Responsible for all farm equipment, which includes maintenance, planning of activities, quality of jobs performed. Safety training for personnel operating farm equipment.
• Manages maintenance for all equipment utilized to operate the greenhouse and open field, including greenhouses themselves to fully utilize its capacity.
• Search out and evaluate vineyard and orchard problems and make recommendations that provide effective, timely and economic solutions to deliver quality fruit by identifying opportunities for mechanization.
• Training of personnel operating farm equipment either in-house or by third party providers.
• Worker Safety: Participates in safety and quality inspections and audits; serves as a member and/or supports the greenhouses and farm equipment team members on the safety committee.
• Maintains a safe work environment.
• Safety training for personnel operating farm equipment and working in the greenhouses.
• Ensures an organized, clean, and well-maintained greenhouse and farm equipment including equipment, tools, and grounds.
• Maintains all required spray records according to regulations.
• Manage a team of greenhouses seasonal workers and work closely with breeders and R&D related activities:
• Supports hiring, managing and supervising personnel, including full-time, part-time and seasonal greenhouse and farm equipment both staff and contract workers.
• Plans and efficiently schedules labor and activities in the greenhouse and farm equipment related jobs.
• Provides feedback and guidance for greenhouse and farm equipment workers to yield the best results.
• Enforces company policy, supervises to ensure all work is carried out safely and correctly.
• Understands and trains employees in Policy, Procedures and Safety.
• Performs employee evaluations and development planning.
• Partners closely with plant breeders & relevant stakeholders to ensure activities are done correctly and timely to support the breeding programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in viticulture, horticulture, or related field
• 2+ years’ experience in greenhouse management preferably with table grape plants or deciduous trees, vegetables, berries or related crops
• Knowledge of greenhouse fertigation systems and crop management
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work constructively as part of a team
• Demonstrated excellence in team leadership and decision-making skills
• Ability to adapt and evolve the operations as breeding and company strategies are updated
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, digital data recording and data management
• Experience with the operation of medium tech greenhouses
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage budgets and spend, develop capital plans, and plan to ensure operational excellence

Preferences

• Ability to develop business reports, develop and track progress on key initiatives, and measure success across metrics and key performance indicators
• Fluency in Spanish
• Hands-on experience with smart agriculture devices (such as sensors, weather stations), software for decision making and data management
• Pesticide applicator certification