R&D Grower - Elkhart, Virginia

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Elkhart, Virginia Soli Organic

Job Ref:  1542
Employer:  Soli Organic
Company Name:  Soli Organic
Category:  Agronomy
Biotech – R&D – Science
Equipment - Machinery
Food Safety
Greenhouse
Horticulture
Information Technology – IT
Irrigation
Legal
Organic
Production
Vertical - Indoor Farming
Job Type:  Full Time

Location

Country:  United States
State:  Virginia
City:  Elkhart
Zip Code:  22718
Map: 
Virginia, USA (Show on map)
Work From Home:  No

Description

Soli Organic

Description

At Soli Organic, we want to change the way people access organic, sustainable, and affordable food by revolutionizing what nature does best: growing healthy, flavorful plants. We take what we know about the biology of growing the best produce, and then use technology to optimize nature’s processes. We do all of this in our proprietary, USDA-certified organic, soil-based, indoor system. For us, everything begins with soil; it is the foundational building blocks that enable us to provide an ecosystem in which plants can thrive.

Over the past 30 years, we've seen this mission spread beyond our wildest dreams. Today, we are an integrated food solutions group with a nation-wide presence, and an ambitious drive to continue to have a positive impact for consumers. So how did we reach this far? We are constantly learning from nature, and we are taking those lessons in innovative ways and creative solutions that will serve the community of consumers who are looking for flavorful, healthy, and sustainable produce options.

The Elkwood R&D grower will play a key role in managing experiments within our growing facility that are the important first building blocks to commercial success of new innovations. This position directly reports to the Senior Grower with guidance from R&D management, and will join an expert and industry-leading team of scientists and growers. The role will support in all growing related duties to ensure daily tasks are met in pursuit of the highest quality plants. This candidate will also ensure that growing plans are executed efficiently, trials are implemented correctly, and the data are collected/analyzed in a timely and orderly fashion according to RnD-set standards. Further, the role will communicate with many stakeholders to ensure crops are grown in accordance with the required timing, climate and nutrition to achieve best in class data and clear trial results. A successful candidate will be a great communicator, have high attention to detail, and a strong passion for science and horticulture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Daily crop reviews for quality and consistency .
  • Monitor crops for optimal growth, including checking controls using intermediate understanding of climate control software.
  • Conduct laboratory work, operate test equipment, and/or perform analytical tests and documentation.
  • Oversight of laboratory analysis and testing for trials.
  • Oversight of daily recordkeeping for trials.
  • Oversight of data collection as described in the project schedule.
  • Engagement with the company’s efforts to enhance crop quality through the production & research of crops in various environments.
  • Perform irrigation of crops using automated and manual systems.
  • Complete daily scouting, including monitoring insect and disease control measures.
  • Maintain logs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis as appropriate to guidance (e.g., irrigation, climate, nutrition)
  • Report on a weekly basis to apprise management of crop progress.
  • Adhere to all safety and food safety guidelines, and report any concerns.
  • Maintain a clean working environment, calibrated equipment and basic inventory of goods.
  • Train, assign tasks, and monitor the work of any employee assigned to specific focus or trial in crop production.
  • Work weekend & flexible shifts if necessary based on seeding/harvest schedules or data collection needs.
  • Limited travel to other sites may be necessary on occasion (not to exceed 10%).
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Requirements

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Education: Degree in Horticulture, Botany, Agronomy or similar
  • Experience: 2 years practical growing in commercial greenhouse or indoor farming (with crops under direct supervision) and hands-on research-oriented focus. 2 years managing plant nutrition and crop scheduling. Strong analytical skill sets with the ability to use and maintain delicate research instruments. Strength in analytic software is required.
  • Language Fluency: No specific language requirements; bi-lingual English/Spanish fluency preferred.

About Soli Organic:

We believe that accessing organic, sustainable, flavorful foods provides an opportunity for people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures to enjoy high quality produce. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity in the workplace equally and ensure that everyone feels a sense of inclusion, participation and belonging. We also aim to extend this commitment to the partners we work with and the communities we serve. We are constantly listening, learning, and evolving to deliver on these principles. We are proud of our collaborative culture. Our diverse employee population shares our fundamental core values of Respect for All Individuals, Customer Obsession and Winning as One Team, which creates a culture that attracts top talent, forming the foundation for a great place to work!

At Soli Organic, we embrace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. As part of the Company’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable accommodations, up to the point of undue hardship, to candidates at any stage, including to individuals with disabilities.

To learn more about what it's like being a team member of Soli Organic, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn
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