Hydroponic Operations and Greenhouse Facility Manager Full Time

Hydroponic Operations and Greenhouse Facility Manager

Position Summary:

The Greenhouse Facility and Hydroponic Operations Manager is an exempt salaried position reporting to the Business and Finance Project Manager. This position will be responsible for all functional and operational aspects of a 27,000 sq. ft. greenhouse comprised of 12,000 sq. ft. of soil based growing, (3,000 sq. ft. which is currently dedicated to students enrolled in Agricultural Operations) 10,500 sq. ft. of NFT and Bato Bucket hydroponics, 1,500 sq. ft. of cooling and produce processing, and 3,000 sq. ft. of general instructional and event space.

The position requirements include:

• Direct hands on, or oversight, of all maintenance, repair, expansion, monitoring, and testing of greenhouse mechanical and structural building components including utility consumptions
• Day to day financial duties to include, supply purchasing, vendor invoice processing, commercial customer sales invoicing, preparation of regular operating reports of financial activity
• All production and financial data collection and reporting including the development of an annual operating budget complete with revenue sources, detailed operating expenses, and labor projections
• Development and implementation of internal policy to insure appropriate food safety, sanitation, and building security standards. These policies will conform to regulations imposed by the FDA, State agencies, and desired third-party food safety certification and audit requirements
• Prospect commercial sales and distributorship customers for hydroponic production. Establish sales forecasts by hydroponic produce type, i.e., leaf lettuces, vine crops. For purposes here hydroponic production forecasts will also include projected sales to 1) Meriweather-Godsey (our food service partner “MWG”) as provided by MWG and outside commercial sales, and 2) Consumer Supported Agricultural (CSA) Program and Farmer Market Sales as provided by the Director of the Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability
• Based on the hydroponic sales forecast establish a hydroponic production schedule to include seed and growing supplies sourcing, equipment preparation, seed planting, harvest projections, customer packaging requirements, post-harvest delivery or pick-up specifics, and post-harvest equipment inspection and cleaning
• Either provide or secure adequate daily nutrient, pH, and pest monitoring and execute any required treatment adjustments or applications utilizing OMRI approved treatments when possible.
• Identifying, vetting, and contracting with outside service vendors for maintenance or repair needs not available on campus
• In fulfilling the above, the Greenhouse Facility and Operations Manager will be expected to collaborate with the Director of the Center for Human and Environmental Sustainability to encourage and accommodate student and faculty participation in greenhouse operations at a level that targets and maintains the commercial and educational objectives of the facility as established by the College

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum of an associate degree in agricultural science or related curriculum
• Three to five years of full-time greenhouse operations including proven produce sales and marketing experience
• Knowledge of and experience in selecting and growing produce in the 12-month weather and climate conditions routinely experienced in Central Virginia
• Familiarity with Central Virginia’s produce industry participants, such as distributors, retail customers, competitors and produce transportation options is helpful
• Strong exposure to and experience with the development and implementation of proper food safety and sanitation practices
• Data systems experience at a level capable of diagnosing and rectifying alerts signaled by a greenhouse environment monitoring system
• Capable of recognizing and properly combating rodent, insect, mold, and mildew infestations
• General mechanical knowledge of pumps, motors, water filters, plumbing systems and electricity. Computer experience with spreadsheet design suitable for financial record keeping.
• Ability to schedule and supervise all hydroponic production employees consisting of paid student workers, greenhouse staff, and college grounds employees (when needed)
• Supervise hydroponic production employees consisting of paid student workers

Work Environment

• Capable of being on your feet for an extended period of the work schedule.
• Ability to routinely lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to withstand indoor summer temperatures in excess of 85 degrees for an extended period