Specialist Grower

: Company Description

Syngenta Flowers North America is one of the largest wholesale breeders of hybrid flower seed and cuttings in the world - developing and producing flower seeds and cuttings for growers internationally. Syngenta Flowers is dedicated to the breeding innovative flower varieties that offer outstanding performance in the professional greenhouse, at retail, in the landscape and in the home garden. In addition to legendary genetics, we support industry professionals with world-class customer service, in-depth cultural information, flexible and exciting marketing programs, and a deep understanding of plants from many points of view. Syngenta Flowers has garnered more than 35 international awards for introducing hybrid annuals to the world, including such garden mainstays as Calliope® Interspecific Geraniums, Diabunda™ Dianthus, Endurio™ Violas, Sparkler™ Cleome, and Magellan™ Zinnias. We are currently seeking a Specialist Grower for our team based in Gilroy, California.

The purpose of the Specialist Grower is to support the different growing trials and programs in delivering on project goals by providing technical assistance in the greenhouse and supervising a crew of greenhouse technicians, assistant growers, and/or irrigators. Follow and apply all HSE (Health, Safety, & Environment) and Stewardship practices, as well as to provide feedback to site management with the functional activities of a research facility. Accountabilities

• Guide the growing process for designated crops and trials including propagation, transplanting, irrigation, fertilizer, plant growth regulator application, plant maintenance, insect and disease management, and crop scheduling
• Proactively monitor the plants to early detect deviations and diseases (fungi, insects, viruses, bacteria, stretched growth etc.)
• Develop with the Head Grower and maintain IPM program (facilitate spray applications as needed, collect IPM data, determine pest thresholds, determine preventative IPM program)
• Screening field trials to identify, remedy and/or prevent pest and diseases
• Regular communication with trial stakeholders (breeders, marketing team, etc) regarding trial progress, deviations, and challenges
• Align growing protocols for each specific trial with the pre-set quality standards as set by the stakeholders (breeders, marketing team, etc).
• Work closely with operations and planning,
• To utilize IS tools (e.g., Kikker) and review weekly work schedules based on tasks that need to be executed to grow trials
• to prioritize actions based on plant growth and cultural needs
• Setting guidelines on the required climate control (temperature, humidity, day length and assimilation lighting) and the frequency of watering, fertilization, and crop protection strategy
• Using a climate computer to create an optimal environment for the plants (temperature, humidity, day length and assimilation lighting)
• Comparing crop yield/performance with soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop (site-specific) crop management plans
• Monitor and enforce data collection regarding plant health or performance
• Guiding leaders and employees in the specific department in cultivation activities, so that the work is carried out in a proper technical way
• Support and implement high throughput Phenotyping as needed
• Together with the team and stakeholders, conduct cultivation evaluations and make sure that improvements and findings from those evaluations are being included in the growing protocols
• Ensure all HSE and phytosanitary protocols are followed and enforced by the growing and operation teams
• Make suggestions on renewal (quality) improvements, hygiene, efficiency (LEAN) and capacity adjustment (equipment, manpower) for production of breeding crops
• Performing all tasks and behaving in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required company training courses and attending local safety meetings.
• Effectively communicating with peers and supervisor regarding the status of projects and work activities.
• Other duties that may arise

Qualifications

• Understanding of plant physiology and growing techniques.
• Experience growing potted floral plants in a R&D greenhouse environment desirable
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word and Excel, and other standard software.
• Ability to learn and use proprietary systems for label printing and inventory management.
• Must be able to work in a team and communicate with individuals throughout the organization.
• Ability to use professional concepts and company policies and procedures to solve a wide range of problems in practical ways.
• Ability and motivation to learn new technologies.
• Ability to use and understand greenhouse control hardware and software (Argus).
• B.S. degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Biology, crop, or plant science. Candidates with several years of relevant agriculture experience may be considered.
• Clear understanding of the practices and procedures that affect trial data precision and accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills
• Must have experience applying pesticides and a PCA and/or CCA license, or the ability to acquire within 6 months after hire.
• Experience with IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US without visa support
• Travel - 10% and seasonal travel to off-station trialing locations

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands

• Capable of working in high or low temperature conditions in field or greenhouse.
• Potential allergens; pollen, fungal spores, chemical pesticides in the greenhouse.
• Work is performed in the field, greenhouse, lab and office
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season.

Additional Information

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Generous Vacation Policy plus 9 Paid Holidays
• Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• Salary Range: $66,400 - $83,000
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

Work Level: 3A Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA ( Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)( Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)(

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