Job Description

Mastronardi Produce pioneered the commercial greenhouse industry in North America, and we’re now the leading greenhouse vegetable company on the continent. Our award-winning, flavorful produce is packed under the SUNSET® brand and is available at leading grocery retailers across North America. Family owned for over 65 years, we pride ourselves on having the most flavorful products and the best people in the industry. We are constantly pushing boundaries to be a leader in fresh produce innovation. We seek individuals that demonstrate our PRIDE values (Passion, Respect, Innovation, Drive, Excellence) to help us fulfill our mission to inspire healthy living through WOW flavor experiences.

Our greenhouse facility in Wakaponeta, Ohio is currently seeking a BCA Production Technician. This position is focused on the production of several species of MacroBCAs such as Orius insidiosus, Dicyphus hesperus, Nabis americoferus, Coleomegilla maculata, banker plant species Rhopalosiphum padi, Sitobion avenae, and potentially other species of BCA. The MacroBCAs produced will be used at Mastronardi’s facility in Ohio as well as at other Mastronardi facilities in the USA and Canada. This is a position that requires a high level of attention to detail as well as a strong interest in insects and mites (entomology).

Values:

To perform the job successfully, the incumbent’s behavior must be consistent with the PRIDE values expected of all Mastronardi Produce employees: be Passionate; have Respect; be Innovative; be Driven and strive for Excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Production technician for MacroBCAs

Follow production protocols:

• Daily feeding of BCAs in cages
• Daily moving of egg laying media (beans or other)
• Refreshing of egg laying populations of BCAs
• Cleaning used cages at end of production cycle
• Preparing BCAs for release in greenhouse OR shipment to other Mastronardi facilities.

Tracking production numbers of species being produced:

• Matching required BCA numbers with forecast where needed
• Informing Corporate IPDM management team of BCA availability
• Keep overall production space clean

Track all inputs required for production:

• Egg laying media – bean production planning, seeding and harvesting in greenhouse (critical component)
• Ensure Ephestia kuehniella stock levels (critical component)
• Buckwheat, shredded paper and other carrier stock levels
• Packaging materials for shipping BCAs (stock levels)
• Track climate control in production (and storage) spaces. This includes availability for night and weekend duty (from remote or onsite when needed) to monitor and resolve alarms.
• Quality control of incoming BCAs (for Ohio location)

Education/Background Requirements:

• A degree or diploma in entomology, biology or horticulture is preferred.
• Previous experience in insect and or mite rearing is preferred.
• Strong interest in insect and mite behavior and reproduction. Caring for the ‘bugs’ mindset is required.
• Experience in IPM is a strong benefit.
• Very high level of attention to detail is required.
• A ‘thinking outside the box’ mindset (improve production processes)
• Must be self-motivate and can maintain a high level of self-imposed discipline.
• Willingness to work independently, with minimal supervision and take ownership of job.
• Proficiency in use of English language with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally, present information and direction, and field questions from managers, employees and external contacts.
• Highly proficient in computer-use skills (MS Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Must maintain confidentiality of all proprietary information, as well as other Company data, including personnel information

Working Conditions:

• Primary working conditions in production spaces (climate rooms) will be between 25 and 27C (75 to 80F) with humidity of 75 to 85%.
• Prepared to work in greenhouse to harvest beans or support BCA releases – conditions depending on time of the year.
• Position requires sitting, standing, walking, and working on lift in greenhouse on a regular basis.

Please note: Mastronardi Produce has accommodation processes and policies in place and provides accommodation for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resource office so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodation to be put in place.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rightsnotice from the Department of Labor.