Head Grower

The purpose of the Head Grower is to lead the site’s team of growers and assistant growers with the goal of delivering quality crops and trials on time to specifications for a research facility. Follow and apply all HSE (Health, Safety, & Environment) and Stewardship practices, as well as to provide feedback to site management with the functional activities of a research facility.

Accountabilities

• Lead the growing team in execution of all crops including marketing trials, breeding trials, field trials, and elite greenhouse activities
• Solve production problems and deliver optimal crop growing conditions with a focus on producing the highest quality plants possible for research purposes
• Support the team in critical growing knowledge acquisition, recording, and application including propagation, transplanting, irrigation, fertilizer, plant growth regulator application, plant maintenance, insect and disease management, and crop scheduling
• Learn and understand all the site’s trials and adapt growing culture for the unique goals that each trial has
• Ensure an effective IPM program is in place and maintained through the site
• Screening field trials to identify, remedy and/or prevent pest and diseases
• Interpret media and plant nutrient testing results to solve plant growth challenges and optimize growing conditions for each crop
• Align growing protocols for each specific trial and crop with the pre-set quality standards as set by the stakeholders (breeders, marketing team, starter material team etc).
• Regular communication with trial stakeholders regarding progress, deviations, and challenges
• Work closely with operations and planning, utilizing IS tools (e.g., Kikker) to review weekly work schedules based on tasks that need to be executed to grow trials
• Work with operations and planning to prioritize actions based on plant growth and cultural needs
• Provide the growing team guidance on climate control settings (temperature, humidity, day length and assimilation lighting) and the frequency of watering, fertilization, and crop protection strategy
• Comparing crop yield/performance with soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop (site-specific) crop management plans
• Monitor and enforce data collection regarding plant health or performance
• Maintain room for exploration and out of the box breeding and thinking
• Guiding leaders and employees in the specific department in cultivation activities, so that the work is carried out in a proper technical way
• Support and implement high throughput Phenotyping as needed
• Together with the team and stakeholders, conduct cultivation evaluations and make sure that improvements and findings from those evaluations are being included in the growing protocols
• Ensure all HSE and phytosanitary protocols are followed and enforced by the growing and operation teams
• Make suggestions on renewal (quality) improvements, hygiene, efficiency (LEAN) and capacity adjustment (equipment, manpower) for production of breeding crops
• Performing all tasks and behaving in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required company training courses and attending local safety meetings.
• Effectively communicating with peers and supervisor regarding the status of projects and work activities.
• Ensure site compliance with the county’s pesticide use regulations and reporting
• Other duties that may arise

• Understanding of plant physiology and growing techniques.
• Experience growing potted floral plants in a R&D greenhouse environment desirable
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word and Excel, and other standard software.
• Ability to learn and use proprietary systems for label printing and inventory management.
• Must be able to work in a team and communicate with individuals throughout the organization.
• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to use professional concepts and company policies and procedures to solve a wide range of problems in practical ways.
• Ability and motivation to learn new technologies.
• Ability to use and understand greenhouse control hardware and software (Argus).  
• Minimum B.S. degree in horticulture, biological sciences, botany, genetics, agriculture, crop science, or plant science is required.
• Clear understanding of the practices and procedures that affect trial data precision and accuracy.
• At least 8 years greenhouse growing experience and technical expertise in floriculture crop production. R&D experience preferred
• At least 4 years of experience building and leading a growing team in a production or research and development role
• Experience in horticulture practices in greenhouse and field
• Must have experience applying pesticides and a PCA and/or CCA license, or the ability to acquire within 6 months after hire.  
• Experience with IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US without visa support
• Relocation support can be discussed.
• Travel – 10% and seasonal travel to off-station trialing locations

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands

• Capable of working in high or low temperature conditions in field or greenhouse.
• Potential allergens; pollen, fungal spores, chemical pesticides in the greenhouse.
• Work is performed in the field, greenhouse, lab, and office
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season.

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
• Generous Vacation Policy plus 9 Paid Holidays
• Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• Salary Range: $91,200 - $114,000
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

Work Level:  4A

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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Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 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. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

Syngenta Flowers North America

Syngenta Flowers North America is one of the largest wholesale breeders of hybrid flower seed and cuttings in the world – developing and producing flower seeds and cuttings for growers internationally.
Syngenta Flowers is dedicated to the breeding innovative flower varieties that offer outstanding performance in the professional greenhouse, at retail, in the landscape and in the home garden. In addition to legendary genetics, we support industry professionals with world-class customer service, in-depth cultural information, flexible and exciting marketing programs, and a deep understanding of plants from many points of view.
Syngenta Flowers has garnered more than 35 international awards for introducing hybrid annuals to the world, including such garden mainstays as Calliope® Interspecific Geraniums, Diabunda™ Dianthus, Endurio™ Violas, Sparkler™ Cleome, and Magellan™ Zinnias.

We are currently seeking a Head Grower for our team based in Gilroy, California.   

https://www.syngentaflowers-us.com/about-us