Greenhouse Growing Crop Specialist (Color Choice)

Color Choice® is a popular brand within the Proven Winners® lineup featuring flowering shrubs that are bred, tested, and selected to bring the consumer more success with less effort. Proven Winers® Color Choice® brand has become one of the most popular line of plants within our assortment.

The steady growth of this product line creates the opportunity for an experienced grower to assist our Product Line Manager with all aspects of producing this crop at Four Star. Directly caring for the crop a couple of days a week while making sure the crop is properly cared for by others the other days of the week will be a key aspect of the position. This position will also work closely with IPM, Sales, Production and

Shipping to ensure that the highest quality product is produced and shipped, from start to finish.

This role requires an individual who enjoys diving into the details, prioritizing tasks, is passionate about plant cultivation and proficient with software tools such as Excel and PICAS (after training). Additionally, the ideal candidate will act as a role model to other growers, setting a high standard for teamwork, safety, and communication to ensure high-quality production that meets or exceeds customer expectations.

This is a Full-Time Year-Round position. Starting pay will be based on education skills and experience within the range of $21 – $27/hr. We offer a competitive benefits package, and the opportunity for a merit increase after 90 days of employment.

PROGRESSION OF SUPERVISORS: Product Line Manager (Color Choice), Training and Development Grower Manager, Senior Manager of Growing Personnel, Senior Manager of Growing Operations, CEO, Vice President, President

JOB SUMMARY: The Color Choice Crop Specialist will be responsible for overseeing the growing and shipping processes for Color Choice liners, ensuring optimal crop health, and maintaining communication with various departments. This role requires an individual who is passionate about plant cultivation, pays close attention to detail, the ability to prioritize tasks, and proficiency in the use of software tools such as Excel and PICAS. Additionally, the ideal candidate will act as a role model to other growers, setting a high standard for teamwork, safety, and communication to ensure high-quality production to meet customer expectations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Independently care for the crop based on specifications provided by the Product Line Manager and perform all job responsibilities listed on our Section Grower Level II job description.
• Complete daily crop care tasks, (including but not limited to: watering, fertilizing, pest control) independently after initial training to produce high-quality liners and finished containers within expected crop plan timing.
• Monitor Color Choice liners from start to finish, documenting losses and estimates accurately in PICAS to avoid CNS issues.
• Prioritize products based on weekly shipping schedules to ensure the best product is shipped.
• Report supply/quality challenges (CNS) with various departments (IPM, Production, Shipping, Sales, etc.). Develop and recommend solutions to resolve these issues.
• Communicate pest and disease pressure ensuring timely resolution by requesting appropriate chemical rotations from IPM for effective crop treatment.
• Assist with spraying, flagging, or applying special feeds or chemical applications to maintain crop health to quality standards.
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve crop-related issues using both data insights and hands-on troubleshooting techniques. Monitor crops often enough to ensure a successful resolution of any issues.
• Collaborate regularly with Product Liner Manager regarding crop decisions and prioritization, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals.
• Adapt workflows and plans based on new data or emerging issues to maintain efficient production.
• Utilize data management tools (e.g., PICAS, MS Excel, Access) to track and analyze crop production, growth metrics, and performance.
• Review historical data and current trends to provide feedback on forecasts, adjusting production needs, resource allocations, and labor requirements as necessary.
• Identify opportunities to improve crop production/growing by conducting trials, publishing results, and integrating findings into existing Action Plans with improvements.

FOUR STAR VALUES:

Row Together

o Serve each other with dignity and professionalism, so everyone feels included, valued, and supported in an environment of mutual trust and respect.

o Build trust and loyalty through responsible actions and honest relationships with a strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration.

o Create and maintain an environment in which we all are empowered and enabled to achieve our high standards and expectations while having fun.

o Set aside egos and personal goals for the good of the team.

o Communicate with each other in the most personable and inclusive way possible.

Do The Right Thing

o Make ethical, transparent, and well-intentioned decisions, even when no one is watching or the consequences are costly, focusing on what’s best for our company, customers, and each other.

o Fulfill the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations through sustainable actions and processes.

o Be fair, sincere, open, and tactfully honest.

o Make decisions that drive value so we will continue to financially thrive together.

Look Around Corners

o Take calculated risks, simplify processes, embrace, and approach new ideas with the question, “how can we?”.

o Work smarter not harder, constantly seeking improvements that keep Four Star at the forefront of the industry.

o Welcome change and adapt to achieve long term sustained success.

Embrace Challenges

o Anticipate and attack challenges to meet goals and to honor commitments which may include collaborating through healthy differences of opinion.

o Recognize mistakes as learning experiences. Openly discuss mistakes with a commitment to constant personal improvement and give positive encouragement to others to keep trying.

o Own your responsibilities and be genuinely accountable for your decisions, actions, and results.

Live Long & Prosper

o Create and maintain a safe and healthy facility.

o Identify, openly discuss, and fix issues that pose risks to the safety and health of all employees and visitors.

o Seek harmony between personal and professional time.

Reach For The Stars

o Take pride in producing the highest quality products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations.

o Meet the mission of being “Easy, Successful & Inspiring” for all interactions with customers and each other.

o Make decisions based on data driven insights blended with intuition, then openly share the reasons for those decisions.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

1. Identify and report insect & disease problems and ensure that an effective mediation plan is in place and followed as needed to result in a high-quality crop that can ship on time.

2. Use the Argus system to accurately & efficiently water crops. Correctly use VPD to irrigate crops using booms, flood floors, etc.

3. Determine PGR rates and apply PGR applications accurately.

4. Conduct soil testing to monitor pH and EC levels, taking corrective action as needed to ensure optimal production within the expected crop time plan.

5. Properly use, clean and maintain all equipment as trained.

ESSENTIAL WORK HABITS:

1. Adjust schedule seasonally as needed. IE- work more or less hours depending on the needs of the department. Work weekends and holidays as necessary.

2. Report to work as scheduled, maintaining a level of absences that results in minimal departmental disruption and minimal unfair burden on other employees.

3. Communicate effectively with all fellow employees. Anticipate and report problems or challenges with crops without delay. Suggest solutions to crop challenges.

4. Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude with all fellow employees and across all departments. Promote positive morale by working effectively across departments. Act as an ambassador for our department whenever interacting with members of other departments. Exemplify Four Star values at all times.

5. Self-educate to become an expert on each piece of greenhouse equipment, process or software used to consistently produce high quality crops.

6. Perform all work as quickly and efficiently as possible, without compromising quality.

7. Participate in education programs as they are offered and continue to self-educate as needed when new plants, equipment, or techniques are introduced.

8. Maintain open lines of communication with other departments (IPM, Production, Shipping, Sales, etc.) to ensure smooth workflow and timely actions. Communicate all relevant job-related information to PLM and Training and Development Grower Manager as needed.

9. Partner with Growing supervision so that best practices to produce outstanding Color Choice crops are followed consistently across growing areas and facilities.

10. Serve as a liaison between growing teams, leadership, and other departments to ensure efficient communication and alignment of goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. 2 years of greenhouse crop production growing experience or Section Grower II at Four Star Greenhouse.

2. Currently has a Michigan pesticide applicator certification or obtains this license within the first 90 days after starting. Must maintain active Michigan pesticide applicator certification to perform this job.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

1. 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. Time will also be spent at a desk using a computer.

2. Lifting a minimum of 25 lbs.

3. Must pass respirator evaluation and “fit” test and maintain the ability to have a safe proper fit of a respirator on an ongoing basis.

4. Employee will be exposed to the sun and/or high intensity lights.

5. Employee will work in a wet environment where clothes and footwear can become saturated.

6. 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.

7. Rolling, unrolling, and using irrigation hoses & high-pressure hoses.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Weekends as needed
• Year round work

Application Question(s):

• Please share why you feel you are a good fit for this position.
• Do you have previous greenhouse experience?
• Do you currently have a Michigan Pesticide Applicator Certification or will be willing to obtain it within 90 days after starting in the role?

Ability to Commute:

• Carleton, MI 48117 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $27