Job Description:
With approximately 30,000 acres in California, Sun Pacific® is the largest grower/shipper of navel oranges in the world, the largest grower/shipper of kiwi in North America, the 2nd largest grower/shipper of mandarins in North America, the largest tomato grower in California and renown for high quality table grapes. Our core focus is on farming, providing us with deep expertise in every aspect of growing these crops, including all cultural aspects, pest control, irrigation technologies and specialized equipment use, all tied together with sophisticated information systems.
Nursery production workers and lead report to the nursery production manager reports directly to the farm area advisor.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Coordinate with management a written plan for seed, dudwood, container trees, and citrus liners
- Develop and implement nursery production models and oversights for plant health and sanitation
- Update and modify nursery production plan monthly and review with the farm area advisor
- Monitor the implementation of the nursery production plan
- Ensure labor, equipment, and facility resources are adequate for production demands
- Manage irrigation
- Assist with pest control and nutrition strategies
- Devise new strategies to improve plant performance
- Administer a comprehensive sanitation program that includes pathogen and pest exclusion methods, as well as chemical decontamination and cleaning when required
- Monitor tree quality
- Implement and report performance results to farm area advisors
- Coordinate with management-hired consultants and report research results and findings
- Manage purchasing strategies for material and supplies within expectations and protocols
- Ensure pest, nutrition and weed control strategies are implemented and managed properly
- Ensure all spray personnel are properly certified and records are maintained, accordingly
- Ensure all safety and employment policies are upheld and enforced
- Coordinate with farm management on frost protection strategies and implementation
- Develop and report proposed annual budget to farm area advisor for review and approval
- Manage maintenance of nursery facilities and site, equipment
- Provide nursery production reports
- Perform all other duties, tasks, and projects as directed by the Company
Skills:
- Knowledge in citrus pests and diseases, irrigation management for container plants, plant horticulture, nutrition, and plant environment
- Skilled in greenhouse construction and ag chemical procurement, storage, and application
- Computer literate in MS Office and ag-specific software programs, such as Agrian
- Ability to effectively lead positively, motivate, and communicate to employees
- Effective and proficient data/spreadsheet analysis, reporting, and communication skills
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities and tasks
- Ability to work in and around greenhouse and farming environments, extensive hours, weekends, and be very flexible to compliment operations for continued success
Qualifications:
- 3+ years experience with planning and management of greenhouse nursery production
- Bachelor’s degree in an agricultural field of study or equivalent
- Possession of a CDL and an acceptable driving record insurable by the Company’s insurance policy
