Specialist Grower- Research, Breeding & Marketing Trials

Job Description
The purpose of the Specialist Grower- Research/Breeding Trials 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.
The ideal candidate will preferably possess these key skills in addition to those listed below.
Trials professional capable to manage ambiguity within Research, breeding and marketing trials.
Prefer ability tocommunicate in Spanish with labor and English with stakeholders.
Ability to map and resource out workload and distribute out to labor teams
Must be science and data driven to enhance and upgrade crops cultures
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
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
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