Director of Growing and R&D, Virginia USA
This young and fast-growing company focuses on producing houseplants and finish them to the highest quality standards in North America. A state-of-the-art, controlled-environment greenhouse has been built for the sustainable production of tropical indoor foliage plants. In order to further expand and professionalize this ambitious project, a candidate is sought for the position of
Director of Growing and R&D, Virginia USA
Function
The Director of Growing and R&D holds an important role in the daily operations of the greenhouse facility to deliver products of exceptional quality to customers. This is accomplished by setting cultivation standards that are to be uniformly adhered to. The Director of Growing and R&D will be responsible for shaping the future of the company’s growing operations and maintaining the company’s reputation and high standards. This is a proactive and goal-driven role requiring someone who is highly organized with excellent communication skills. The Director will provide oversight in the greenhouse, ensuring that all processes, training requirements, schedules, policies, and procedures are followed, and the set production goals are met. This is a collaborative company in which we all work together to achieve our goals. There may be times when you are asked to lend a hand outside of your main responsibilities.
Responsibilities
- Develops and implements departmental budget.
- Facilitates professional development, training, and certification activities for staff.
- Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff in the department.
- Ensures accurate payroll for direct reports.
- Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
- Teaching, training, and monitoring team member compliance with proper horticulture
standards by proactively performing daily inspections of the greenhouse operations. - Leads by example by exemplifying the values of the company as a role model for
their team. - Establish systems and chain of command to collect, analyze, and maintain data on
cultivation operations to aid strategic planning and operational decisions. - Serve as a role model and resource for staff with regards to products and services,
policies and procedures, industry news, and changes in regulations. - Consistently report cultivation status, verbally and in written form to all executive
leadership. - Attend weekly meetings to communicate status and directives.
Requirements
- Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science or equivalent education, Master Degree
preferred. - Ability to motivate, develop and direct people as they work.
- Proven leadership and management skills.
- Strong phone contact handling and active listening skills.
- Minimum of 8 years’ experience with potted plants in a high-tech glass greenhouse.
- A strong understanding of plant growth as well as plant physiology and interaction
with varying environmental conditions and requirements is essential. - Identification of plants and their problems (diseases, pests etc.)
- Customer focus and ability to adapt/respond to various personalities.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
- Independent, goal-oriented and conscientious way of working.
- Familiar with climate computer software and horticultural terminology.
- You speak fluent English, a good knowledge in Spanish would be an advantage.
If this describes you, then this may be the job that suits you! Do you have any questions? Please feel free to give us a call. Of course, your call will remain confidential.
Frans Neijenhuis
Mob: +31 6 10782861
Email: [email protected]