Pure Harvest Smart Farms Head Grower Full Time
Pure Harvest Smart Farms (“the Company”) is a regional innovator in sustainable agriculture focused on the production of greenhouse fruits & vegetables in the challenging (extreme) climates of the Arab Gulf region using world-leading Dutch greenhouse growing technologies. Specializing in vine vegetable crops (tomatoes, capsicum, cucumbers, eggplants, strawberries, etc.), Pure Harvest seeks to leverage innovative semi-closed growing technology (with overpressure climate control and mechanical cooling) in order to pioneer year-round production of affordable, premium quality fresh produce. In recognition of regional vulnerabilities associated with water scarcity and food import dependence, Pure Harvest is committed to resource efficiency and overcoming local climate challenges (specifically, heat and humidity during the summer months) to deliver European standards to customers with the highest quality farm-to-fork products. For additional information, please visit the Company website at www.pureharvest.ae.
For its innovative greenhouse enterprise of 2,4 hectare, tomato-on-the-vine (year round production), the Company is seeking a:
Head Grower, Co-Founder
Entrepreneurial, Leader, Experienced with High-Tech Growing Systems
You are responsible for managing all operations associated with fruit and vegetable production in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). You will have the primary responsibility for product delivery, meeting mutually agreed targets for yield and providing managerial oversight of all technical operations and staff. This includes responsibility for plant management, pre and post-harvest operations as well as quality control. You manage all greenhouse technical systems (including maintenance), labor, and third party inputs (i.e. seeds, fertilizer, co2) to deliver profitable ramp up and maintenance of steady-state production.
As a successful candidate you will build a safety and performance-driven company culture, while recruiting, training on-the-job and developing a talented group of junior growers, middle management, and labor so as to prepare the company for rapid expansion in the expansive Middle East market. Your key mission is to deliver commercially attractive yields & quality as well as to position Pure Harvest as THE “supplier of choice” for leading fresh produce retailers, hotel groups, and catering companies.
You will report to the Chief Executive Officer (based in Dubai) and you will be an essential part of the core leadership team, helping to set the company’s strategic direction, guide investment decisions and propel growth.
Your profile
You have a proven professional background in hydroponic greenhouse vegetable (specifically tomatoes) growing including significant experience managing and motivating labor in a multi-cultural setting; minimum 4-7 years direct growing experience is required. You are an accomplished operations manager and “green fingers” grower who is pragmatic and capable of anticipating and quickly responding to plant needs in extreme environmental conditions. You are highly capable of instituting effective procedures and contingency plans for high-impact factors such as pest & disease control, extreme climate conditions, labor quality, etc. You are able to acclimatize quickly as self-starter, have an excellent professional reputation, and hold a natural passion for commercial horticulture and for building up a businesses. You are self-motivated. You have proven experience in developing and executing growing strategies (yield forecasting, irrigation strategy, fertilizer mix, and climate computer automation) and are willing to work entrepreneurially to overcome a significant operational learning curve in a start-up resource constrained organization. You’ll possess a deep conviction to build on Pure Harvest’s brand promise to reliably deliver the absolute highest quality produce at a more affordable cost to imported alternatives.
You are a strong communicator, a powerful organizer and an enthusiastic people manager with natural leadership skills. You are smart / a quick learner and a highly capable problem solver
Must be willing to relocate to the UAE for the first 4-7 years.
Offer Pure Harvest
Pure Harvest offers to the right candidate a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, an open organization culture, freedom and responsibility.
Importantly, performance-based incentive compensation will be a meaningful portion of your overall compensation package. In addition to competitive cash compensation, you will be an owner in the business from day-one – with substantial equity-based compensation that will fully vest over 4 years. You will be part of an exciting enterprise with a strong expansion strategy in the Middle East region.
Information and Application
If you are interested in this unique vacancy or if you desire additional information, please get in contact with Green Career Consult, via Mr. Johan Grootscholten, Senior Consultant, mobile: +31 (0)6 38976049.
Please send your motivation letter and CV via e-mail to: johan@greencareerconsult.nl
Please note that interviewing with Pure Harvest may include video and phone interviews and/or off-site interviews. Though not required, it is highly recommended that you submit a cover letter that outlines the key attributes of your candidacy. An assessment may be included as a part of the recruitment process.