Job Title: Lead Grower -In Training (rev 10-10-23)
Supervisor: Deanna Felton, Bill Bicknese, John Youngblood
About Sunbelt:
Sunbelt Greenhouses is a large, family owned, wholesale grower located in Douglas, Georgia. Sunbelt Greenhouses was founded in 1983. Sunbelt has 20 acres of climate-controlled greenhouses and an additional 8 acres of outdoor production. Wenke Greenhouses is a sister company located in Kalamazoo, MI with another 45 acres of production. We grow and sell flowers year round. Our main crops are annuals, poinsettias, mums and home-use vegetables. These crops are sold to garden centers, hardware stores, landscapers and other growers throughout the Southeast.
We are an industry leader; providing quality plants that make people happier and healthier. We are known for efficient production, being the easiest company to do business with and valuing our employees.
Job Summary:
The Lead Grower is responsible for producing a quality crop that is ready the week expected. Plants require care 7 days/week and some tasks can only be done after hours. Growing is a unique, skilled trade that develops from hands-on experience combined with educational opportunities. The Lead Grower coordinates directly with the production crew to efficiently complete the necessary tasks. The Lead Grower participates in cost analysis, scheduling, variety selection and more “behind the scenes” planning work.
Responsibilities:
· Supervising and training the growing team
· Watering and fertilizing the crop by hand-watering with a hose, boom and/or drip irrigation
· Chemical application (growth regulators, pesticides, fungicides, etc…)
· Soil and water testing to determine the pH, EC and nutrients available to the crop
· Disease/pest scouting, prevention and treatment
· Environmental controls for light, shade, vents, temperatures
· Mixing of fertilizers in bulk tanks
· Decisions about crop care including pinching, spacing, and moving
· Quality and timing communication
· Crop organization and layout.
· Participate in the production planning including variety selection, trialing, crop plans, cost analysis, space planning, and material purchasing
· Identification of facility and equipment maintenance needs
Schedule / work hours:
· Anticipate 60 hours per week from December - April. Expect to work every other weekend during the busy season.
· Anticipate 40-50 hours per week from May - November
· General weekday schedule: 6:45 AM to 4:30 PM
· Some weekends and after-hours work will be required
· Vacation time available during non-peak seasons and in coordination with growing team
Skills needed to be successful:
· Desire to be responsible for growing a quality crop
· Desire for continuous improvement
· Ability to look at the crop and identify what needs to be done
· Ability to mix and apply chemicals
· Ability to manage and train others
· Ability to organize and prioritize the work that needs to be done
· Physical ability to be on feet 8-10 hours per day / 7 days per week, frequent bending & Lifting
· Ability to speak Spanish helpful
Experience Required:
· 5 years of growing similar crops
· Experience producing starter plants from seed, cuttings and tissue culture (plugs and liners) very helpful
· 2 or 4-year degree in Horticulture/Agriculture experience growing crops in a greenhouse.
· Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, & Excel.
· Ability to obtain a Georgia Pesticide Applicator license.
Compensation:
· $70,000 with option of hourly or salary.
· Plan to progress to management level after 3 years
· Opportunities for training and additional education
· Health insurance available and partially paid by employer
· Dental insurance fully paid by employer
· Paid time off for vacations and holidays
· 401K with low fees up to 4% employer contribution