Seasonal Seed Handler-Plug Testing in West Chicago, Illinois at BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY

Ball Horticultural Company is seeking a customer-centric candidate to work in the plug testing department at Premier Lab. Ball is the largest flower seed breeder/producer and distributor in the world, providing outstanding products, best-in-class customer service, and reliable supply to professional growers around the globe.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Work with overall team to deliver best-in-class service.
• Perform all other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.
• Adhere to all quality control measures and watch for signs of tampering and contamination.
• Participate in continuous improvement exercises and adapt to changing needs and requirements.
• Prepare soil flats and sow seed using machinery or by hand for germination testing.
• Empty, clean, and sanitize soil flats to reuse for germination testing.
• Maintain growth and mist chambers to provide the optimal growing environment for our testing environment.
• Utilize technology systems and hand-counts for germination analysis.
• Perform tasks to ensure consistent testing quality while maintaining deadlines.

• Education and/or equivalent work experience: High school diploma/GED.
• Years of Experience: 1 or more years of experience working with seed or in a greenhouse preferred, but not required.
• Technical Skills / Certifications: Basic math and computer skills, ability to enter and maintain records in computer system.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written skills to communicate with internal customers, bilingual capabilities a plus.
• Hard Skills: MS Office experience preferred.
• Soft Skills: problem solving, attention to detail, organizational skills, teamwork, adaptability, and flexibility to work in multiple areas performing multiple tasks.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs for up to 10% of the workday.
• Ability to push and pull up to 50 lbs for up to 10% of the workday.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for approximately 50% of the workday.
• Ability to kneel and bend for approximately 20% of the workday.
• Ability to reach above shoulder level for up to 15% of the workday.
• Ability to climb and maintain balance for up to 10% of the workday.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for up to 100% of the workday.

Hourly Pay Range: $17-$19

Hours: 6:00am-2:30pm subject to change based on seasonal requirements

Our promise to you

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.