Production Assistant Manager

The Production Assistant –plays a key role in supporting greenhouse crop production with a strong emphasis on production support, trial execution, data collection, and continuous improvement. This position works closely with the Production Manager and growing team to implement trial protocols, monitor crop performance, and contribute to the development of best practices that enhance yield, quality, and operational efficiency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Ø Labor/Supervision:

• Assist in managing and supporting a team of 10-15 production employees
• Oversee and provide guidance to grower supervisors and irrigators.
• Support on-the-job training and development for team members

Ø Crop Management Assistance:

• Weekly production walk to ensure key indicators are monitored daily and/or weekly.
• Assist managing IPM Program using conventional and biological methods.
• Record keeping and reporting of chemical applications, along with tissue and soil analysis testing.
• Support reviewing production records to identify and monitor opportunities for improvement.

Ø Production Trial Support and Crop Development 

• Refining practices and troubleshooting crop challenges.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and executing trials for new varieties, fertilizers, or growth regulators.
• Collect and maintain data on trial performance, environmental conditions, and results.
• Collaborate with Production Manager and growers to integrate new methods into production.
• Support troubleshooting crops challenges and refinement of cultural practices based on trial results.

Ø Assist in overseeing spray applications, irrigation, fertilization, soil management, and environmental controls.

Ø Support compliance with all state and federal chemical application regulations.

Ø Crop Template Management based on trial results:

• Growth regulators
• Fertilizers
• Crop management strategies

Ø Assist monitoring space utilization and ensuring timely movement of product throughout production stages.

Ø Efficiencies & Yield Responsibilities:

• Support the achievement of key corporate production goals, including:
• Yearly yield targets
• Quality standards
• Operational efficiency benchmarks
• Collaborate with team members and departments to identify and implement improvements that drive productivity, reduce waste and enhance crop quality.

Ø Interdepartmental Communication Responsibilities:

• Communicate facility-related issues promptly to the Production Manager to support timely resolution.

Ø Communication and Leadership

• Foster a collaborative, respectful work environment that promotes good morale, strong work ethic, and interdepartmental cooperation.
• Represent the company professionally withing the horticulture industry and across internal teams.
• Promote and maintain positive relationships with vendors, distributors, competitors and customers to support the company’s reputation and strategic goals.

General Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture or related field, or equivalent training with credible references demonstrating advanced horticultural knowledge.
• Minimum three years of experience in a supervisor role and/or one to two years of experience in a Grower position. 
• Experience in plug production or trial management.
• Strong leadership and management skills—considered the most critical aspect of this role.
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across departments to organize and manage efficient production systems.
• Experience managing multiple product lines with multiple ship weeks.
• Demonstrated success managing and training a production team of three or more people. 
• Proficient in greenhouse operations and environmental controls.
• Proven ability to lead continuous improvement efforts and contribute to organizational growth.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English a plus

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, between 8 to 10 hours a day, including some weekends.
• The employee must occasionally lift, carry and/or move up to 45 pounds and push/pull 50 to 60 pounds
• Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms to examine and measure plants
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus
• Employee must occasionally climb and balance and often reach, kneel and or bend