We are Hiring – Assistant Cultivation Manager.
The winning applicant will run the following departments.
· Research and Development
· Integrated Pest Management
Job description.
Our R&D department aims at continuous development, researching new concepts, methods and products that result in better yields while improving economic efficiency, as well as developing testing and stabilizing new genetics that will help widen our genetic range and increase client potential.
The RND Manager leads a team currently composed of 4 members responsible for that program and works directly with the Head of Cultivation, participating in strategic decisions.
The IPM Manager provides support to the cultivation team. Primary duties include developing and implementing an approved pest management program, pest and disease identification, supervising preparation and application of pest control products, leading the IPM team, and ensuring all approved workflows are followed, while maintaining regulatory and compliance records.
The Assistant Cultivation Managers tasks include but are not limited to:
R&D – Essential Functions
- Market and technical research to identify potentially interesting crops.
- Introduction of new crops by phenotype hunting of seeds and using techniques to stabilize the genetic in local conditions.
- Improvement of agricultural practices adapted to large scale cannabis farming in developing countries
- Research of tools and inputs that can bring value to MG Health at reasonable costs as well as identification of suppliers.
- Supervise technical trainings of operation teams and personnel that MG Health is working with.
- Organize and manage the experiment team.
- Design and manage experimental projects in crop development and introduction of new practices.
- Organize and manage technicians testing new practices.
- Answering technical emergencies identified by the operations team.
- Maintain discussions with a network of experts on technical topics, in order to increase the technical level of the company.
- Provide analysis on technical matters to operations team and Head of Cultivation.
- Meet, report and set directions with the Head Of Cultivation on a monthly basis.
- Working in a developing industry, one of the biggest challenges is to respect very tight development periods to reach substantial results in a limited timeframe.
IPM – Essential Functions:
- Develop, implement, and keep current an approved Integrated Pest Management plan.
- Demonstrate innovation by staying aware of emerging trends and recommending new processes, products, training opportunities or techniques that will increase plant health, lower costs, or improve skills.
- Ensure plant health is optimized in a way that allows every plant to achieve its maximum genetic potential.
- Coordinate all activities of the spray teams including personnel, equipment, materials, training, monitoring, and problem solving.
- Develop, maintain, and report results from a scouting system in which problems are discovered and diagnosed early enough to implement effective control to keep pest pressure below an acceptable threshold.
- Ensure that all applications are completed in accordance with the label/ directions.
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain a positive and cooperative attitude with all fellow employees and across all departments.
- Develop and maintain a catalogue reference guide/history of accurately diagnosed crop problems with pictures that are easily accessible.
- Collaborate other department managers such as Quality Assurance on related IPM experiments following sound scientific methods. Compile, analyse, summarize, and present data and recommendations.
- Adjust work schedule as needed to meet deadlines and accomplish all objectives.
- Work closely with Quality Manager in the development of all applicable IPM workflows. Ensure that all processes and procedures are accurate, up to date, and that they meet and or exceed all safety and regulatory requirements.
- Manage all personnel, processes and programs associated with Scouting, Spraying and Fumigation. Work closely with Cultivation Leadership Team to ensure those processes are effectively communicated. Report problems or challenges without delay.
- Ensure that chemical inventory is accurate, and materials are stored and maintained in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
- Maintain all necessary documentation to meet or exceed all inventory/compliance requirements.
- Ensure IPM equipment is maintained/calibrated in a manner that supports safe, efficient, and effective applications.
- Ensure that all personnel have the appropriate training, PPE, and certifications for their roles.
- Ensure the implementation and adherence to a facility-wide Biosecurity program.
Non-essential Functions:
Performs other duties as assigned.
Cross- Departmental Functions:
Collaborates closely with Operations, Cultivation, Compliance, Maintenance, and Human Resources departments.
Required or Preferred Skills, Abilities, Licensures and Certifications:
- 2+ years of horticultural experience in a commercial cultivation facility, with primary responsibility for the Integrated Pest Management program or Research and Development.
- Degree in plant science, horticulture, or entomology is a plus.
- Experience in the fundamentals of plant biology required.
- Extensive knowledge of pest and disease identification.
- Experience with cultivation and IPM systems and the implementation of those systems.
- Experience in the management and implementation of standardized horticulture processes.
- Experience with the handling and application of pesticides, Bio-pesticides and be familiar with predatory control methods.
- Knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements.
- Knowledge of biosecurity/sanitation processes in manufacturing.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, Teams, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate to all levels within an organization, particularly senior management.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
- Ability to work in a matrixed, highly collaborative environment.
- Ability to think critically and strategically align programs and projects to business objectives.
- High ethical standards.
- Must be 21 yrs old+
- Must pass all required background screening and maintain required agent ID card.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25kg to a minimum height of 1 meter and able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 20m, with or without mechanical assistance
- Must be able to work seated/standing as appropriate at workstations for extended periods of time, maintain body equilibrium while climbing ladders, stairways, stopping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching, and use hands/fingers to hold, grasp, turn, pick, pinch frequently/constantly to complete tasks
- Must be able to handle organic matter daily, able to wear PPE as appropriate (eye, face, hand, arm, head, foot, body, fall protection), and able to be exposed to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions while wearing PPE (30°C or greater)
- Must have visual acuity with/without job aids to perform activities such as reading, viewing a computer terminal, visual inspection involving small parts/details. Clarity of vision at 8m or more in day and night/dark conditions
- Must be able to speak and communicate verbally at conversation levels with co-workers, vendors, etc. (Moderate noise)
- Employee will be exposed to the sun and/or high intensity lights.
- Employee will work in a wet environment where clothes and footwear can become saturated.
Spirit
- Business oriented. Experience in for-profit companies is valued.
- Engineer, entrepreneurial spirit. Natural inclination to understand how things work, to fix things, to find ways around problems and to jump from problem to problem.
- Design thinking mentality with good listening skills. Drafting, prototyping fast and early for feedback.
- Versatility: at ease with simple as well as complex tasks, practical and intellectual tasks.
- Field mentality. Needs to enjoy going on a mission physically.
- Multi-cultural. Understands communication is important and not easy, willing to learn foreign cultural norms. Patient.
Good to have
- Skills and/or experience with programming.
- Sesotho Language.
- Good networks with tropical agronomy experts.