Grower

Execute outlined growing procedures and process to deliver quality cuttings that meet customer requirements on a consistent basis. Responsible for the growing and crop culture of assigned crops. Provide strong hands-on technical skills and knowledge of horticulture crop production to produce the highest quality cuttings. Work in collaboration with all teams on site to implement growing protocols and be able to communicate with farm leadership team.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for all aspects of growing of assigned crops and NPI grown at Syngenta Alva farm in close cooperation with other growers and production manager.
• Guide and direct the growing process for assigned crops and be able to conduct several trials.
• Responsible for propagation, irrigation, fertilizer, plant growth regulator application, crop maintenance.
• Work with IMP and pathology departments on monitoring and diagnosis of insect and disease in compliance with WPS practices.
• Work with operations team to resolve growing issues and deliver the highest quality products.
• Responsible to program and monitor the environmental control computer as per the crop requirements
• Manage crop nutrients standards and interpret nutrient testing results to solve production problems and optimize growing conditions.
• Update internal growing protocols, procedures, processes and work instructions in collaboration with other team members based on the current production practices.

Syngenta Role Profile

• Train and advise your team members on best growing practices, new learnings, and crop maintenance.
• Consistent crop walk with growing team to ensure the stock is grown according to plan and document action items or changes made.
• Proactively monitor and scout the stock for early detection of pests in concert with IPM.
• Responsible for physical integrity of growing equipment and structures.
• Supervise and instruct assigned employee to daily tasks.
• Weekend work will be required and frost patrol depending on weather conditions.
• Ensure all HSES and phytosanitary protocols are implemented, followed, and enforced

Core to All Roles

• Adherence to all applicable HSE and other corporate policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Assist in presenting of all safety training classes.
• Ensure all equipment is properly calibrated and routinely inspected.
• Assist in development of a budget and the ability to execute.
• Monitor costs as necessary.
• Supervise employees and other third party personnel as required.
• Perform other duties as required to meet plant or site needs.
• Actively support an image that reflects the highest regard for cleanliness and organization
• Balance KPI’s to meet the annual improvement objectives
• Ability to maintain and execute established procedures.
• Problem solving abilities—especially related to disease expression symptoms
• Being aware of current state of horticulture industry.
• Flexible work hours. Will require some weekend and night work.
• Work closely with operations team in weekly harvest of cuttings.
• Being a team player.
• Looking for ways and methods to continually improve current practices.
• Soil fumigation techniques.

Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

• Minimum B.S. degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, or related plant science is required.
• Knowledge of crop production, and growing cycles,
• Some growing experience and technical expertise in floriculture crop production is preferable.
• Capable of solving production problems and implementing new growing ideas that make business sense
• Some Experience in IPM is desirable
• Be able to create and update S&OP for growing process.
• Knowledge or familiarity with ornamental/Cutting production is preferable.
• Skills with Microsoft Suite of Office programs (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access).
• Must be Fluent in English, Spanish fluency is desirable

Critical experience

• Willing to work with a diverse workforce.
• Experience in working with horticultural crops.
• Labor management and some green house and field growing experience is preferable.
• Supervision and training skills.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Understand what drives value in the business and influence stakeholders.
• Together with all team members, build a capability that delivers QOTIF.
• Be a key player in alignments with all stake holders.
• Streamline growing processes from beginning to end, to achieve consistent and reliable quality.
• Be a key member of the farm leadership team
• Being able to take timely, appropriate and proactive actions to achieve expectations.
• Quick, pro-active, adequate and timely communications with all stakeholders
• Flexible work hours. Will require some weekend and night work.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Ability to obtain Florida pesticide applicators license
• Some experience in horticulture practices
• Ability to train and translate technical information
• Excellent communication skills (written/verbal), Spanish language skills helpful
• Proficient in basic computer programs (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Power Point, etc.)
• Motivation and drive for continuous crop quality improvement and efficiency
• Very good team player
• Problem solving skills
• Extremely responsive
• Some Leadership skills
• Crop management

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid Vacation, 9 Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

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