Production Manager

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Position summary

The Head Grower takes ownership of the Production unit P&L including cost control and unit profitability Budgets as agreed with the Managing Director and Financial Controller. Staff management includes all staff engaged in the growing, and maintenance of plants that are produced for wholesale and or retail sales.

The Head Grower compiles the annual plant production calendar, directs purchasing of young plants, associated sundries, pots, packaging, growing media, fertiliser, and pest and disease regulation products; coordinates the application of technical procedures, timing, and metering devices that control frequency, amount, and type of nutrient applications; regulate humidity, ventilation, temperature, and amount of light; and dispense fertilizers, and pest and disease management products as required.

Monitoring crop development and the removal of substandard plants to maintain consistency and continuity of quality home grown plants aligned to seasonal demands.

Core expectations:

• Discusses plant growing activities with Sales & Operations personnel to plan for growing activities that are consistent with planned production schedules.
• Plans for space allocation based on production reports and seasonal sowing schedules.
• Monitors and optimises growing conditions including air flow, moisture and temperature and cultivation procedures to ensure conformance with quality control standards.
• Monitors plant development to ascertain conditions such as growth regulation, leaf texture, bloom size and the existence of pests or disease; removing substandard or diseased plants to maintain quality standards.
• Determines rates of fertilizers, biological control, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides as required by the crops and applies and/or directs the application of them.
• Develops growing procedures for new species in product line and new cultivation techniques.
• Maintains inventory of needed growing supplies such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
• Maintains records of growing techniques and production; reviews records and reports to identify trends and to forecast future space and production needs.
• Plans for and requests staff on a timely basis to ensure their availability during the high-volume growing seasons and schedule labour hours as necessary.
• Schedules staff and assigns work; maintains personnel records and provides input into performance evaluations.
• Lead and motivate the team, provide training as appropriate in growing techniques and activities.
• Maintains a current knowledge of growing techniques and technologies.
• Maintains an awareness of new state of the art equipment and provides input into equipment and facilities upgrades and replacement.
• Provides pesticide and safety training guidance to all production employees and maintenance of records as required by internal and external audit.
• Other core expectations will be defined by the company.

Core competencies

• Manage annual sales and profitability budgets and adapt to seasonal impacts as required.
• Calculate figures amounts, proportions, percentages, and volume in relation to the application of fertilizers, chemicals, and water.
• Must have working knowledge and be a competent user of modern growing techniques and machinery/technology and systems.
• Ability to use a PC and interpret/produce production reports.
• Must have the ability to read, analyse, and interpret general business periodicals, financial reports professional journals and technical procedures.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.

Job description

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management and from employees.
• Ability to maintain comprehensive records of essential growing procedures, attributes, and results.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills to interact with team members, senior support personnel, high level personnel and customers.
• Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions necessary to identify a wide variety of conditions such as plant diseases, existence of insects, etc.
• Have the knowledge and ability to identify major plant groups and be aware of their culture and growth traits.
• Adaptability and multi‐tasking; experience working in a fast-moving environment.
• Fosters positive working relationships.
• Must be a team player and collaborator with ability to work independently.
• Ability to provide work direction and leadership to staff.
• Provide a team atmosphere to strive for a common goal of high product quality and cooperation and compatibility with peers, supervisors, and management.
• Project a helpful, friendly, and cooperative attitude.
• Other core competencies will be defined by the company.

Experience/ Education

• Degree in Horticulture or related field and or 10years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Must have in depth knowledge of the safe handling and application of approved chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.

Working relationship

• 1. Report to Managing Director/Financial Controller.
• Work closely with peer and other employees and departments in the company.
• Work closely with internal and external audit, HR, technical and Health & Safety, DAFM, Teagasc, Bord Bia, and build and maintain working relationships with other industry growers for the purpose of sharing growing expertise/knowledge.

Company policy/ Procedures compliance

Follow all company policies and procedures.

This job description highlights the main components of a Head Grower, but is not inclusive of all activities that may be required.

Required

• Degree in Horticulture or related field and or 10years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Must have in depth knowledge of the safe handling and application of approved chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.