Integrated Pest Management Manager

Pure Hothouse Foods, marketed under the Pure Flavor brand, is a family of greenhouse vegetable growers who share a commitment to bringing A Life of Pure Flavor to communities everywhere. Our passion for sustainable greenhouse growing, strong support for our retail & foodservice customers, and focus on engaging consumers is built on a foundation drawn from generations of growing expertise. We are the next generation of vegetable growers, inspired to put quality, flavor, and customers first by providing greenhouse-grown vegetables from our farms that are strategically located throughout North America.

With a dedicated, energetic and highly skilled workforce, we believe our employees make the difference. We offer our employees the opportunity to advance their careers in our progressive, vibrant organization.

Job Summary

The IPM Manager is responsible for technical support and organization of the IPM Scouts, monitoring the greenhouse growing area and crops, checking for signs and symptoms of pests and disease, and monitoring the costs associated with IPM. This position will make recommendations on IPM management methods, implementation measures, and deployment of biological controls to minimize the risk of damage to a plant and its fruit, and ensure quality produce is available to meet company standards and customer demands.

Duties and responsibilities

• Ensure bio-security measures are followed.
• Monitor pest management input cost.
• Maintain up-to-date technical knowledge of IPM practices and share insights.
• Train, coach and provide leadership to the IPM Scouts.
• Monitor and report on IPM scouting performance and staffing needs.
• Weekly review and reporting on the pest pressure in all ranges.
• Communicate and coordinate the weekly IPM plan with Operational Growers.
• Perform scheduled quality checks and report on all bios purchased and released into crops.
• Monitor and assist with bumble bee pollination programs.
• Work closely with the Corporate IPM Manager to help establish annual/quarterly IPM plan, clearly define quality methods and ensure delivery of the IPM team goals and objectives.
• Validate daily inspections of greenhouse crops using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques and ensure trends are entered daily via digital data collection platform.
• Identify and ensure the elimination of yield limiting threats such as insects, diseases, and weeds.
• Routinely validate the application of preventative measures and control products; document action taken.
• Ensure Operational Growers are immediately informed of critical situations that the quality and growth of the crop.
• Comply with SOPs, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Food Safety, Health and Safety, and company policies and procedures; ensure standards consistently meet expectations.
• Other core expectations as defined by the company.

Requirements and Skills

• Secondary school diploma or equivalent (required); Post secondary education in horticulture, agriculture, plan science, or a related field (preferred)
• Minimum three (3) years' experience in greenhouse crop production, ornamental horticulture, or vegetable production.
• Previous agriculture experience with integrated pest management.
• Hands-on experience with biological control agents and chemical crop protection products.
• Success in conducting crop scouting, pest identification, and implementing corrective actions.
• Understanding of pest and disease life cycles and their impact on greenhouse crops.
• Knowledge of beneficial insects, biological control strategies, and pollination programs.
• Familiarity with cultural practices that influence pest and disease pressure.
• Understanding of greenhouse environmental controls and their role in pest management.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for pesticide use and employee safety.
• Familiarity with record-keeping systems and compliance requirements for greenhouse operations.
• Intermediate level of computer skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Self-motivated with the proven ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management abilities; demonstrated.
• Strong verbal, written and communication skills; proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrate keen attention to detail and task-related accuracy as well as consistent follow-through skills.
• Analytical skills for interpreting scouting data and recommending solutions.
• Problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work at heights up to 15 feet.
• Must be flexible to shift assignments as required to meet both customer & business needs.
• Possess a valid Pesticide Applicator Certificate

Working conditions

• Hours of work may vary depending on business needs.; flexibility required.
• This role operates in a hot, humid environment, where temperatures range from 65-100°F (18-36°C) or more depending on the time of year.
• Role frequently requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, use hands to handle or feel product, and reach with hands as well as visual requirements to complete inspections.
• The position requires the ability to regularly lift to 30-pounds, occasionally up to 50-pound
• This role regularly requires the employee to work at heights up to 15 feet using a platform lifting device or scissor lift.