Greenhouse Manager in Elburn, Illinois at BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY

In this role you will help color the world and bring excitement in the world of flowers through supporting the breeding and product development staff in producing quality plant material for breeding, clean stock, research trials, and marketing while ensuring greenhouse operations are running in a safe and efficient manner. This position is responsible for crop culture, IPM, PGRs, spray scheduling, irrigation/fertilizer schedules, and transplant schedules, and record keeping. The Greenhouse Manager will be an important advisor in setting the strategy for growing multiple annual, perennial, and vegetable species.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Coordinate, support, supervise, and lead a team of growers to ensure the proper growing environment is provided for various species.
• Accountable for all aspects of greenhouse and marketing growing, including, but not limited to inventory of supplies, space management, watering, fertilizing, and chemical applications to ensure the correct plant growth and accurate space utilization.
• Manage the greenhouse operations in accordance with the facility budget
• Responsible for the operation of automated climate and fertigation systems to ensure the best environment and water parameters for best crop performance.
• Facilitate safety training related to Worker Protection Standards, personal protective equipment, and greenhouse chemicals to help sustain a safe place to work.
• Record keeping of chemicals and fertilizer applications to support facility environmental requirements and international certification.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders (i.e. breeders, product managers, and marketing specialists) to ensure company goals are met.
• Work closely with stakeholders and teams to create and adhere to processes that allow for the regular identification and remediation of diseases and insect pressure.
• Guide the team with clear communication to understand the company goals and stakeholder needs for each crop.
• Schedule and supervise contract labor for activities in the greenhouse where additional labor is needed (i.e. pot washing and composting) to ensure deliverables are met during peak periods.
• Partner with Elburn Facilities and Maintenance teams to ensure all greenhouse related equipment is maintained and in good working order.
• Partner with the field crew on the transition of plants from the greenhouses to be transplanted to the facility grounds and open fields.
• Execute projects throughout the site under direction of the Elburn Facility Manager.

• BS/BA in Horticulture or Ag.-related field and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in supervision/management with an emphasis in directing diverse work teams in commercial greenhouse facilities or a related area.
• Possess or ability to obtain Illinois Pesticide Applicator’s License within 3 months of employment.
• Orchestrate multiple activities simultaneously to accomplish goals.
• Understand internal and external stakeholder requirements, expectations, and needs.
• Ability to drive engagement through empowering others.
• Anticipate future trends in all aspects of greenhouse growing and set strategies accordingly.
• Ready and adopt new technologies to provide greater quality and realize efficiencies.
• Ability to communicate in one-on-one, small and large groups, and among diverse position levels to convey a clear message and understanding.
• Experience working in and communicating through Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Experience working with automated climate and fertigation controls.
• Bi-lingual in English and Spanish is a plus

Salary Range: $80k-95k

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift/carry up to 45 pounds 10% of the day
• Ability to push/pull up to 60 pounds 25% of the day
• Ability to sit/stand 100% of the day
• Ability to kneel/bend 25% of the day
• Ability to reach 15% of the day
• Ability to climb/balance 5% of the day
• Ability to use hands/fingers 100% of the day
• Ability to work in hot environmental conditions outside/in greenhouses 85% of the day

Our Promise To You

Ball is a global leader in horticulture: we develop, produce, and sell plants around the world. Our vision is to color the world through our customers. We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.

In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:

• Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
• 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
• Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs