What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant head grower position at Smith Gardens, Inc.?
Company Description Smith Gardens, Inc. is a fourth-generation, privately held wholesale grower of horticultural products, supplying major retailers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. The company has a long-standing reputation for quality plants and reliable service within the Pacific Northwest. In addition, its Pacific Plug & Liner division in Watsonville, California, provides young plants to growers nationwide. Team members join a stable, growth-oriented business with deep industry roots and a focus on operational excellence. Smith Gardens values collaboration, horticultural innovation, and strong customer partnerships.
Role Description This is a full-time, on-site Assistant Head Grower role based in Marysville, WA. The Assistant Head Grower supports the Head Grower in managing daily greenhouse and growing operations, including monitoring plant health, coordinating irrigation and fertilization, and implementing pest and disease management programs. This role oversees crop schedules, ensures that cultural practices meet quality and production standards, and collaborates with production teams to meet shipping timelines and retailer specifications. The Assistant Head Grower helps supervise and train staff on best growing practices, safety procedures, and efficient workflows. The position also assists with data collection, recordkeeping, and continuous improvement initiatives related to yield, quality, and resource use.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated horticulture knowledge, including greenhouse crop production, plant physiology basics, and familiarity with annuals, perennials, or bedding plants.
- Experience with irrigation, fertilization, and environmental controls, including monitoring climate systems and adjusting growing conditions as needed.
- Practical understanding of integrated pest management (IPM), disease identification, and safe application of control measures.
- Proven ability to lead and support teams, including training staff, organizing daily tasks, and communicating priorities clearly.
- Strong organizational and planning skills, with experience managing crop schedules, tracking inventories, and meeting production deadlines.
- Comfort using basic computer systems and software for recordkeeping, production planning, and reporting.
- Ability to work on-site in a greenhouse environment, including standing, walking, and lifting within job-related safety guidelines.
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on greenhouse experience.
- Previous experience in commercial greenhouse or nursery operations is strongly preferred; experience with large-scale wholesale production is a plus.
- Commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams and departments.