Protected Cropping Grower

Location: Sommerville, VIC, 3912
Full-Time: Immediate start
Job Title: Protected Cropping Grower
Salary range: $79,500 - $86,600
Job Closure date: 30 days

About our client:
Our client is a dynamic and innovative leader in the FMCG sector, specialising in high-value, sustainable agricultural production on the Mornington Peninsula. They are at the forefront of modern farming, utilising advanced protected cropping environments to achieve year-round production of premium quality vegetables. Their commitment to a "whole of system" approach integrates precision agriculture, sophisticated irrigation technology, and data-driven decision-making to optimise yield, quality, and resource efficiency. They are seeking a skilled grower to manage their state-of-the-art protected cropping facilities.

About the Role:
On behalf of our client, we are seeking an energetic, passionate, and highly experienced Protected Cropping Grower to take full responsibility for the cultivation and management of high-value vegetable crops within controlled environment systems. This is a pivotal, hands-on role that blends traditional horticultural expertise with the application of modern technology. You will be tasked with managing the entire crop cycle, from propagation to harvest, ensuring the highest standards of quality and productivity are consistently met within glasshouse or other protected environments.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:
Strategic Crop Planning & Production Management:
• Develop and execute detailed production plans for protected cropping systems, coordinating all activities from propagation and planting to harvest, while strategically considering market demands, contract specifications, and resource allocation.
• Select and manage the propagation of superior seeds, seedlings, and rootstocks, implementing advanced horticultural techniques to ensure strong plant establishment and genetic integrity.
• Direct and oversee all cultivation activities within the protected environment, including precise climate control, irrigation, fertilisation, and integrated pest management (IPM) programs to maintain optimal plant health and maximise yield.

Precision Growing & Operational Excellence:
• Meticulously maintain crop production by expertly performing and supervising critical tasks such as cultivating, de-budding, pruning, trellising, and pollinating to manipulate plant growth for optimal quality and production.
• Organise and lead all post-harvest operations, including the efficient collection, grading, packaging, and cold storage of produce, ensuring the delicate nature of protected crops is preserved to meet premium market specifications.
• Coordinate the commercial logistics of the produce, including organising sales and the timely dispatch of goods, ensuring a seamless and efficient chain from the facility to the customer.

Systems Management & Continuous Improvement:
• Oversee the operation and basic maintenance of sophisticated protected cropping infrastructure, including climate computers, irrigation systems, shade and thermal screens, and water recycling systems.
• Maintain and critically evaluate detailed records of all growing activities, including climate data, nutrient application, pest scouting, and yield results, using this data to refine practices and report on performance.
• Proactively monitor and adjust the controlled environment, managing factors such as temperature, humidity, CO2, and light levels to create the ideal conditions for crop growth throughout the year.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:
• A relevant Trade Qualification in Horticulture, Agriculture, or a closely related field is essential.
• Proven post-trade experience in a similar role, with specific, hands-on experience in protected cropping, glasshouse, or hydroponic vegetable production.
• A demonstrated hands-on commitment with a practical, can-do attitude and a dedication to achieving excellence in all aspects of crop production.

Essential Skills & Attributes:
• The ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a close-knit team, demonstrating strong communication skills and a willingness to share knowledge and support colleagues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively and build rapport with team members, management, and external stakeholders at all levels.
• A high degree of self-motivation and the capability to work autonomously without direct supervision, effectively managing daily operations and making sound, timely decisions to ensure crop success.