Job Description

Job Location: Chicago 2 - Chicago, IL 60628
Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 Salary/yearTHE ROLE
The Head Grower is a senior leadership position within the company whose primary role is to manage all aspects of crop production to achieve best in class yields and quality. This role will oversee and mentor the Assistant Grower and Growing Specialist. This role reports to the Director of Growing and works closely with the Plant Manager at their specific location to run the entire facility.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Yield & Quality
- Oversee yield & quality for all crops to achieve company targets
- Use data driven approach to manage all areas of crop production
- Climate Management & Irrigation Schedules
- Oversee climate strategy for all plants and compartments
- Determine optimal settings for all greenhouse equipment and irrigation
- Evaluate climate strategy impact on energy use and yield
- Greenhouse Management
- Oversee and determine all cultural practices for young plant production
- Oversee IPM Program – compliance, record keeping and IPM strategy
- Oversee young plant program- dictating nursery culture and strategies
- Monitor functioning of greenhouse, production and irrigation equipment regularly with Maintenance Supervisor
- Oversee plant nutrition program
- Review crop schedules and adjust as needed for sales, operations or p`lant needs
- Provide training to operations team as needed on crop specific tasks
- Facilitate a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork
- Provide continuous climate management training to the assistant grower
- Ensure proper documentation of growing KPIs in central growing dashboard
- Document all growing strategies and targets in the facility roadmap
- Manage plant nutrient calculator to determine add-ins and communicate to growing specialist via print outs.
- Cost Tracking
- Review agricultural supplies spending to report to the VP of growing

QualificationsRequirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Science, Horticulture or Related Field
- 5-10 years’ experience in management role in commercial greenhouse production
- Understanding of all aspects of crop production and growing in CEA
- Experience with climate control software platforms
- Extremely well organized
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
- Strong computer skills
The ideal candidate:
- Master’s Degree in Plant Science, Horticulture or Related Field
- Commercial production experience in hydroponics
- Commercial production experience in leafy greens and herbs
- Superior problem-solving and analytical skills
- Experience with business intelligence systems
- Passionate commitment to the company vision