Fall Creek Farm & Nursery® is the world’s leading blueberry nursery stock company. We bring the best blueberry varieties to our global customers who service the commercial and nursery markets. Our products are second to none, in part, because we have high standards, superb growing conditions and most importantly, good people. We are currently recruiting for a position located at our nursery in Tala, Jalisco, Mexico.

ASSISTANT PROPAGATOR POSITION SUMMARY:

Under direction, this position is responsible for the propagation of quality plants according to company standards.

ORGANIZATIONAL FIT:

This position reports to the Operations Manager in Tala and works closely with the Propagation Manager in the US. The Assistant Propagator supervises the team leader and other personnel in the department. This position works closely managers and departments in the MX and US operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Primarily responsible for the day to day operations of the propagation facility. This includes transplanting, fertilizing, irrigation, inventory, and overall management of employees.
2. Monitors and maintains optimum environments for the rooting of micro cuttings. Implements fertilizer and pesticide schedules for the crop as directed. Oversees all forms of irrigation. Follows and maintains established horticultural protocols.
3. Scouts plants for pests and overall crop health and anomalies. Notifies the Operations Manager and Propagation Manager of any pest, disease or other issues affecting the plants or propagation department in a timely manner.
4. Works closely with the Operations Manager in Tala to implement the production plan. Assists with implementing, organizing, and accounting for the distribution of finished tissue culture products to the Production department.
5. Supervises the tasks necessary to prepare rooted cuttings and plants for immediate sale or to move on to production.
6. Responsible for establishing the daily work flow within propagation in order to meet established department goals.
7. Responsible for supervising employees. This includes training, coaching, and developing employees in their positions. Conducts goal setting and performance reviews. Provides a respectful workplace for all employees. Ensures work is being conducted in a safe and efficient manner. Immediately reports accidents, injuries and near-misses to management. Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) as needed when completing tasks.
8. Accurately reports and records work activities. Responsible for tracking labor hours for the department and collecting data for cost accounting functions.
9. Responsible for tracking inventory of tissue culture and finished plants. Oversees inventory counts. Maintains inventory of all supplies. Tracks labs associated with different plant material. Oversees the movement of plants inside and between the greenhouses.
10. Maintains accurate and complete records, documenting all propagation efforts. Enters into spreadsheets and other tracking tools in an accurate and timely manner. Performs analysis and runs reports on related information.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING

1. Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in horticulture, biology, or related area of plant sciences or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. 3+ year’s plant propagation experience.
3. Knowledge of plant tissue culture and conventional plant propagation techniques.
4. Knowledge of propagation methods and rooting of micro cuttings from tissue culture.
5. Minimum of 2+ years’ experience in a supervisory or management position with provn ability to manage, develop and mentor employees.
6. Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel and database programs.
7. Bilingual language skills in Spanish & English. The ability to speak, read, and write in English.
8. Knowledge and experience in application of pesticides.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Full understanding of greenhouse controls for all forms of irrigation including misting, fogging, and micro-irrigation.
• Knowledge of plant pests and diseases.

TO APPLY

For immediate, confidential consideration, please send cover letter and resume to:
Trudy Hylemon
Director of Human Resources
TrudyH@fallcreeknursery.com

Please visit us at www.fallcreeknursery.com for more information.