Grower

Grower Manager of Perennials & Shrubs:

Join our team at TREESOURCE - Rupert, a leading wholesale Nursery in Southern Idaho, dedicated to cultivating cold hardy trees, shrubs, and perennials for the Intermountain West and beyond. We are currently seeking a dedicated Grower to contribute to our mission of providing high-quality plants to our customers.

Overview Duties:
- Utilize math skills for measurements and calculations related to plant growth.
- Engage in the growing process of shrubs and perennials on the farm.
- Operate hand tools and equipment for planting, pruning, and producing plants.
- Perform data collection and record-keeping tasks to track plant growth and health.
- Apply mechanical knowledge to maintain equipment used in the growing process.
- Contribute to plant maintenance activities within the nursery.
- Monitor and adjust greenhouse conditions to optimize plant growth.
- Implement and ensure irrigation systems are used to properly water all plants all year.

-Assist in and monitor plant health aspects of the growing operation.
- Participate in heavy lifting tasks as needed in a farm environment.

- Plan, direct and work with the crew daily to ensure all are on task and priority tasks are being accomplished in approved timeframes and within set budgets.

-Reports to a Production Manager on plans, priorities and projects.

Requirements:
- Previous experience in a growing or farming environment is preferred.
- Proficiency with hand tools commonly used in plant cultivation.
- Ability to perform data collection and maintain accurate records.
- Some mechanical knowledge for equipment maintenance is beneficial.
- Experience working in a greenhouse setting is advantageous.
- Capability to irrigate plants effectively based on their specific needs.
- Physical stamina for tasks involving heavy lifting.

-Degree in Horticulture field of study is preferred.

- Ability to work long hours during the planting seasons to ensure all plants are planted correctly and equipment and systems are running smoothly.

-Has a track record of leading multiple crew members successfully in daily task.

-Ability to take charge of situations and organize tasks and employees.

-Has a proven record of being present at work and engaged in leading staff members.

-Has an attitude to work diligently and efficiently with people and the resources allotted.

-Ability to speak Spanish is highly preferred.

-Team player attitude is needed as part of a whole growing team of other managers.

-High communication skills are needed each day as things can change quickly when dealing with living plant material, weather, and resources.

Focus of Grower Managers:

-Coordinate regularly with the Production Manager.

-Planning and organizing production schedules for your area: Creating production schedules to meet company needs and optimizing resources in coordination with the Production Manager.

-Overseeing production processes for your area: Monitoring production processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and adherence to safety standards.

-Coordinating resources: materials, equipment, and labor effectively to meet production targets.

-Quality control: Implementing and maintaining quality control processes to ensure products meet specifications.

-Budgeting and cost control: Managing budgets to control costs and maximize profitability.

-Training staff: Training and supervising crew members to ensure a skilled workforce.

-Maintenance and troubleshooting: Overseeing certain maintenance activities and troubleshooting production issues and bottlenecks to minimize downtime. Coordinating with Production Manager and Mechanics for needed repairs.

-Implementing improvements: Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance productivity and efficiency.

-Ensuring compliance: Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.

-Reporting and communication: Providing regular reports to management and communicating with other departments to coordinate production activities.

-Each Grower directly manages their crew and the day-to-day planting, growing, pruning, irrigation, digging, upkeep and cleanliness of their assigned areas.

-Manage and lead the Crew assigned to you. Manage and direct the daily crew work, works alongside crews’ members as often as possible to find ways increase efficiency and iron out bottlenecks throughout your assigned areas.

-Handle crew needs and tools allocation.

-Properly demonstrates how to do daily tasks and ensures they are accomplished.

-Models’ safety in all aspects of the work.

-Holds crew members accountable for safety in all aspects of the work.

-Crew members change. Be adaptable and ready to train new crew members.

-Sharing of crew members can occur with coordination among other managers in advance.

-Daily Production goals need to be strived for as outlined by the General Manager

-Each Grower must find appropriate and approved ways within approved outlines to accomplish the needed production and see that it is done on time and correctly.

-Outline the daily goals with crew members.

-Meet regularly with Crew Leaders and help them understand the plans for the day / week.

-Innovate and coordinate with the Production Manager on ways to increase efficiency and then work to implement needed and approved changes.

-Work to obtain a valid pesticide license so you can know and understand what chemicals and fertilizers are being applied and the safety aspects associated with each one. Train crews how to safely work in and around chemical applications being applied by the Plant Health employees.

-Pruning techniques and timing are crucial to proper growth and structure of our plant material.

-Learn proper pruning techniques for the areas assigned.

-Train all crew members who prune to do it properly.

-Train on how to keep tools well sharpened and used in a safe manner.

-Planting time. Be present when hours are increased during planting and other certain high demand times. Direct and assist the crews in all aspects.

-Work hours range from 8 hours - 14 hours during high production times.

-Irrigation checks must occur on weekends and holidays in combination with the Production Manager and other assigned crew members.

-Each season the company plants hundreds of thousands of plant items. During this season the Grower leads out with their crew and directly oversees all the daily planting needs and movement of all items and crews.

-During planting time all hands are on deck to verify quality, safety and efficiency are occurring.

-Training must occur for each crew member on how to properly handle and plant all material.

-We plant good quality, free from disease and scars with healthy branching structures.

-Plants must always be centered in the pot or row. If not, then fix it.

-Plants must be planted at the proper depth. If not, then fix it.

-Every item receives a tag at planting time.

-Coordinate with the Purchasing Manager for incoming materials, timing, and quality issues.

-Directly oversee that all irrigation systems are properly running and are in good repair.

-When repairs are needed see that they are done quickly and properly.

-If certain crew members are capable and available have them fix the repairs.

-When additional training is needed, coordinate with the Production Manager for assistance.

-The Production Manager will assist you in setting up watering schedules and verifying moisture.

-Production Manager and Growers will regularly walk / check and verify irrigation systems are working as designed and that moisture levels are where they need to be. This is a multi-effort approach to always be alert and verify proper irrigation is occurring.

-Directly oversee that proper pruning is occurring and is on time for optimal grown and quality. Create systems and processes that are repeatable each season.

-Train crew members how to handle pruning equipment and how to keep tools clean and sharp.

-Train on all safety aspects of using pruning platforms and ladders.

-Instruct those pruning to be aware of fingers.

-Always enforce the use of safety glasses when working around branches and throughout the nursery.

-Research with the Production Manager on enhanced pruning practices and find ways to implement changes as needed.

-Capture and document pruning practices for each variety and best timing for optimal plant performance.

-Wherever and whenever possible weeds should be sprayed and pre-emergent applied. In some cases, weeds may need to be hand pulled and this should be rare when chemicals are applied on time and correctly.

-When flare ups of weeds occur, you must coordinate with the Production Manager for spraying to occur. Or if crew members will be assigned to pull the weeds.

-Growers and the Production Manager should regularly discuss spraying and timetables for each variety of plant material.

-The company goal is that there are no weeds bigger than a quarter throughout the entire operation. Weed pressure can flare up in different seasons. It takes constant pressure for sprayer and crew members to be actively engaged with controlling weeds in all areas.

-The Production Manager is directly responsible for all chemical and fertilizer applications. Certain aspects of this may be delegated to a sprayer or other manager. However, close coordination must happen to ensure rates and modes of application are correctly applied.

-Fertilizer application through the irrigation system will be monitored by the Production Manager. Each Grower must know and understand when fertilizers should be run and not run as they irrigate.

-Report to the Production Manager when you see something that doesn’t look correct so proper testing and analysis can occur.

-The Production Manager will walk in each area with the assigned Grower regularly. The purpose of this is to closely monitor pests. It takes multiple eyes to spot pests. When pests are found coordinate together to find a remedy. The Production Manager will direct the work of the sprayers to combat the infestation. If more hands are needed, then you will discuss together which Crew Members will assist in the control measures.

-Anyone who operates equipment needs to know the safety side of operating it. Managers always train crew members on how to properly use equipment.

-In coordination with the Mechanic Manager and the Grower Manager together they outline specific maintenance needs of specialized equipment and when it may need maintenance work.

-When equipment needs immediate attention, the Grower must coordinate directly with the Mechanic for attention. If the Mechanic can adjust and come quickly the Grower should be present and direct their crew to other activities while the Mechanic in combination with the Grower troubleshoots the needed repair. The Mechanic must explain, to the Grower, in detail the extent of the repair and the projected down time. The Grower then has the needed information so they can adjust their crew for that length of time. Communication is very important throughout the repair time.

-Growers who use equipment are expected to train crew members to regularly check the fluids, filters, properly grease, keep clean, and fill the fuel when it is in their care.

-When needed repairs or parts replacement occur the Grower must coordinate with the Mechanic for parts and repairs.

-It is always best practice to inform the Production Manager of breakdowns and timeframes.

-Safety is always of the utmost importance. Always be aware and be the best example of safe practices throughout the entire nursery. When you see something unsafe, fix it quickly. Others are always watching the managers to set the example.

-Train Crew at least weekly in a 15-minute safety training.

-When new tasks are given always train on the new safety needs for that task

-Hold crew members accountable to safety standards.

-When unsafe practices occur the manager and crew members will meet with the General Manager to discuss what, why, and how of the situation.

-Be an example of the “Standard of Excellence” for TREESOURCE.

-Cultivate a positive culture of diligent work and continued learning to increase quality and lower death loss.

-Ask questions, seek information, answers will not always come in the way you want them. Be workable and teachable throughout the systems creation process and adaptations.

-Other responsibilities may be assigned and adjusted over time.

Join our team at TREESOURCE - Rupert and be part of a dynamic work environment where your passion for growing plants can flourish. If you possess the required skills and are eager to contribute to our mission of providing top-quality plants, we encourage you to apply for the Grower position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) 3% Match
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Extended hours
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed
• Year round work

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Horticulture: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Rupert, ID 83350 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Rupert, ID 83350: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000