Grower - Niagara Falls, Canada - Westbrook Greenhouses Limited

Description

At Westbrook we strive for the best in family business culture with the best practice governance, management and strategy.
Westbrook Greenhouses, located in Beamsville, Ontario is a leading North American grower and distributor of potted plants.

We use an effective combination of human resources and mechanical automation to increase efficiency and reduce our impact on the environment.

We're passionate about enriching people's lives every day through the beauty of plants.

Westbrook is looking for a Grower to grow a flowering plants according to crop scheduling sheets provided by the Head Grower.

This position will work in collaboration with the Production Manager ensuring that crops are produced to meet Westbrook's quality standards and production targets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Using specialized expertise, grows assigned crop to Westbrook specifications, on time and within pest tolerances, as per crop schedule provided by the Head Grower;
• Communicates regularly with the Production Manager and Head Grower to provide information re: crop scheduling, progress against finish target dates and any variances;
• Communicates required crop care/movement activities (spraying, spacing, etc.) to Production Manager to determine labour requirements;
• Collaborates with Quality team to identify, troubleshoot and correct growing issues;
• Grows crop within pest tolerances using standard IPM practices in conjunction with recommendations provided by production team, Head Grower and consultants;
• Manages irrigation and fertilization cycles for optimal growth conditions;
• Maintains all required documentation for internal and regulatory purposes, as determined by the production team;
• Ensures all growing activities in accordance with all relevant regulations (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Labour, CFIA, etc.);
• Maintains Argus climate controls and ensure sensor calibration, conforming to desired crop environment conditions and Argus control procedures;
• Supports Block Supervisor in providing inventory counts to Production Planner and/or Sales team as required;
• Records and reports crop/quality waste to the Head Grower, providing information on causes of waste;

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 3 years' greenhouse experience in a growingrelated capacity;
• Degree/diploma in Horticulture or a related field;
• Valid Grower Pesticide Spray Certificate;
• Prior knowledge/experience with greenhouse environmental controls preferred;
• Flexibility to work overtime hours as necessary during peak periods;

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent problem solving skills combined with a willingness to share information and accept input from others in working towards a solution;
• Strong analytical skills to synthesize information and recognize trends or patterns when troubleshooting crop issues;
• Strong organization, prioritization and time management skills;
• Effective verbal communication skills;
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to stand 8+ hours per day;
• Ability to lift to 50 lbs occasionally;
• Ability to push lbs frequently;
• Working in a cool/ warm, humid indoor environment with moderate noise level and around moving machinery;
• Must wear steel toe safety shoes/boots;
• Working afterhours and weekends as required.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


Job Types:
Full-time, Permanent


Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Vision care

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Overtime pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Beamsville, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location:
One location