Seasonal Section Grower (Direct Care Worker Horticulture Plant Care)

Job Description

Job Description

Workplace is Carleton, MI

Department : Growing

Reports To : Section Grower Team Leader, Training and Development Grower Manager, Senior Manager of Growing Personnel

Classification : Full Time, Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Location : Carleton, Michigan

Schedule / Travel : Sunday- Thursday or Tuesday- Saturday, One weekend day is required for Section Growers

JOB SUMMARY

Consistently produce high-quality plant material for our customers through ongoing training, teamwork, cooperation, and innovation in a fulfilling work environment for our team members. Maintain the growing area and crops to meet the sanitary and organizational standards of the company. Demonstrate a strong commitment to the team by developing and maintaining healthy and productive relationships with all team members. Welcome new members to the team and find opportunities to support their success. Exemplify the values of cooperation, collaboration and teamwork in all of your day-to-day activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Establish priorities, work independently, and accomplish objectives with minimal supervision after training. IE- Perform daily walkthroughs to create and then follow daily action plans. Correctly cares for crops as trained. Refer to and adjust care sheets as needed. Correctly record daily work on documentation sheets.
2. Accurately judge watering needs of the crops with minimal instruction after training.
3. Accurately irrigate crops using hoses, booms, sprinklers or other automated devices in order to avoid the extremes of too dry or too wet for each crop. Repeated bending, pulling and lifting are required to accomplish this function.
4. Accurately communicate the status of all assigned jobs with your team members.
5. Mix and apply the correct fertilizer at the correct rate consistently. This involves lifting 25lb bags from the ground to above waist level.
6. Keep work areas clean, organized and sanitary. This involves utilizing an industrial power washer, lifting trays, pulling carts and tossing containers of plants.
7. Effectively identify insect, disease or virus in our crops after training.
8. Mix and apply chemicals as well as bio controls as needed following all safety requirements listed on the product label.
9. Mentor and train others as needed to enable the success of the team.
10. Actively contribute to the continued success of the company by expressing new ideas that can result in lower costs, improved profits, and improved efficiency. Design and implement experiments that will benefit an individual, the team, or the company.
11. Develop goals and standards for yourself in an interactive process with your team leaders.
12. Embrace training and/or self-educate to become an expert on each crop and each piece of greenhouse equipment used in the assigned area.
13. Promote a safety culture by performing all aspects of your job following all safety standards. Identify and report any safety issues or concerns without delay.
14. Accurately use the time clock to change jobs so that all costs can be tracked and analyzed for company profitability.
15. Lay down, space or move any plant material as required for the health of the crop. Discard/dump plant material as assigned. Accurately record dumped plant material.
16. Collect soil samples so we are aware of pH & EC and can make timely adjustments to produce quality crops on time.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate the ability to maintain a positive and cooperative attitude with all fellow employees and across all departments while promoting positive morale by working effectively as a team member.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and accomplish objectives with minimal supervision after training.
• Adjust schedule seasonally as needed IE- willing to work more or less hours depending on the needs of the department.
• Report to work as scheduled, maintaining a level of absences that results in minimal departmental disruption and minimal unfair burden on other employees.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize equipment, only after completing the required training. Including but not limited to Sprayers, Power Washers, Injectors, Tow Carts, Hi-Los, Scissor Lifts, Ladders, etc.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform all work as quickly and efficiently as possible, without compromising quality.
• Participate in education programs as they are offered and continue to self-educate as needed when new plants, equipment, or techniques are introduced.
• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate potential crises for the purpose of avoiding crop loss or lack of availability.
• Recognize and solve both crop related, and equipment related problems. Communicate with department leaders as needed to reach a timely resolution.
• Properly use, clean and maintain all equipment as trained. Troubleshoot repairs to equipment and report results to department leaders.
• Demonstrate the ability to use the Argus system to accurately & efficiently water crops. Correctly use VPD to irrigate crops using booms, flood floors, echo lines, HB lines, etc.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply PGR applications accurately as directed.

CORE VALUES:

Collaborating as One Team, One Proven Winners : Our future success is rooted in how well we work together—as one team, who is accountable to each other. Open, transparent, and direct communication remain central to our culture. We value the diverse strengths and perspectives each person brings and are committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone feels safe to challenge and learn from each other.

Embracing Continuous Improvement: Proven Winners was built on the belief that we could always offer something better. This mindset continues to guide us—whether improving our products, our capabilities, or how we work together. Embracing change strengthens our future and helps us continue leading the industry.

Pursuing Excellence: From superior plant genetics to building the most trusted brand in horticulture, excellence has always defined Proven Winners. We hold ourselves to high standards across product development, customer service, operations, and internal processes. By striving for excellence in everything we do, we continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers, partners, and one another.

Doing the Right Thing: Our brand is all about trust. We make ethical, transparent, and well-intentioned decisions, even when the outcome is difficult. We honor our commitments and rely on one another to act with integrity. Together, we uphold this value by caring for one another and the communities that we serve.

Prioritizing Safety: We prioritize the safety of our employees above all else. Our approach is proactive and prevention-focused, ensuring we maintain safe facilities, provide proper training, and empower every employee to prioritize safety in their daily work

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous horticultural background preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Effective communication skills in both spoken and written English

PHYSICAL ASPECTS

• Bulk of the job is spent standing or walking, bending to the ground and reaching overhead, pulling carts on 4-wheel castors weighing over 200 lbs.
• Lifting a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Must pass respirator evaluation and “fit” test and maintain the ability to have a safe proper fit of a respirator on an ongoing basis.
• Employee will be exposed to the sun and/or high intensity lights.
• Employee will work in a wet environment where clothes and footwear can become saturated.
• Employee may be exposed to temperatures that can be at or 10-20 degrees above outside temperature. Employee may be exposed to temperatures that can be at or slightly above freezing for long periods of time.
• Rolling, unrolling, and using irrigation hoses & high-pressure hoses.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Greenhouse, warehouse and outdoor work settings. Peak season periods may require increased hours, responsiveness and flexibility. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

NOTE

This job description does not exclude responsibilities not specifically stated, but that are apparent, related, or may develop in the normal course of duty.

Proven Winners is the leading consumer plant brand in North America, known for introducing innovative, top-performing plants that deliver proven garden success. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and consumer education, Proven Winners partners with growers, retailers, and breeders worldwide to inspire gardeners and enrich outdoor spaces. For more information, visit provenwinners.com

Company Description

Proven Winners is the leading consumer plant brand in North America, known for introducing innovative, top-performing plants that deliver proven garden success. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and consumer education, Proven Winners partners with growers, retailers, and breeders worldwide to inspire gardeners and enrich outdoor spaces. For more information, visit provenwinners.com