Crop Protection Team Lead

**Crop Protection Team Lead**

Your role is full of variety, guided by the needs of your fellow growing team and the crop concerns at hand. This morning you go over the day’s work plan for your Crop Protection Assistants and plan some cross-department training on pest identification.

You join the Growing Management Team meeting for an overview of the week’s focus before heading out to the staging warehouse to perform outbound pest inspections on plants shipping to customers. You complete this inspection alongside a Crop Protection Assistant -a perfect opportunity for cross-training on industry standards and processes.

You are eager to head into your next meeting with the Crop Protection Team where you brainstorm with your team about the possibilities of the banker plant program and learn about each other’s “Pest of the Week” -as a fan of entomology and Integrated Pest Management, this is a highlight to your week

The remainder of your afternoon is spent completing day-to-day administrative tasks: coordinating preventative treatments with section growers, updating pest management manuals, responding to CFIA requests, updating records in preparation for the next GCP/CNCP audit, and researching the latest advances in biological controls and disease management.

**Does this sound like a perfect work day? **If so, you will fit well on our team of A-players in the role of **Crop Protection Team Lead**.

We partner together with our customers-horticultural growers across North America-to deliver on our vision: Growing Partnerships, Delivering Excellence. Join us in a positive, uplifting, and appreciative environment.

**Job Summary**:
This role focuses on Qualitree’s regulatory programs such as the Greenhouse Certification Program(GCP) and Canadian Nursery Certification Program (CNCP). This includes but is not limited to inspections, record keeping and documentation, oversight of Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA) audits, training, and staying up-to-date with CFIA and other industry-relevant regulations. You also act as a liaison between industry specialists, pest authorities, and the Qualitree team.

As Crop Protection Team (CPT) Lead, you have an understanding of precursors to pest pressures, insect/disease life cycles, and determining the selection of all control types while keeping aspects such as cost, resistance, and usability in mind. You contribute to research and implementation of Qualitree’s treatment programs by means of new methods, products, and relationships. As CPT Lead, you are responsible for ensuring Technician and Assistant CPT roles have the tools and training required to perform their roles effectively and efficiently. This support is obtained by reporting in and collaborating with the Growing Management Team.

This position reports directly to the Lead Grower, with direct reports from Technician and Assistant roles on the Crop Protection Team. The work takes place in an open office environment, alongside many Growing Team members.

After learning the tasks of the position, as well as becoming knowledgeable as to how Qualitree operates, it is expected that you will be able to work independently and with autonomy in this role. You must be capable of producing high quality work under limited direct supervision.

**What You Will Get From Us**:

- Passion and energy in a growing business
- A vision for the future with increasing expansion, innovation, and new technology
- A dedicated team that is working together towards a common goal
- Excellent values, in a culture where our values are lived out daily
- Continuous training and career growth opportunities
- Fun employee activities
- A competitive compensation package including innovative benefit coverage

**What We Need From You**:

- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Horticulture, Biology, Natural Sciences or related field with IPM knowledge; or an equivalent combination of education and IPM related work experience
- Previous experience supervising, leading and mentoring staff
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite/ Google Workspace products with experience managing/analyzing large datasets
- Physically fit and able to crouch, stand or walk for extended periods of time
- Being able to walk for periods of several hours at a time and working outside in the elements
- Valid Class 5 or 7 BC driver’s license with personal vehicle
- Willing to obtain or hold a valid BC Pesticide Applicators License
- Pride in your work and highly accountable
- Observance and respect for our core values
- Preferred skills:

- Knowledge of regulatory pests and GCP/CNCP programs
- Knowledge of disease and insect identification
- An eye for detail, diligence, and patience is required for successful scouting, planning, and training
- Superior skills in organization and time management
- Interpersonal skills with the proven ability to communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization
- Adept at multitasking and coping with conflictin