East Coast Nursery Agronomist - Remote (East Coast)

About the Opportunity
As the East Coast Nursery Agronomist for Driscoll's, you will work directly with operated and Contract Nurseries, Applied Researchers, R&D, District Production and Nursery Management to extend cultural practices and new technologies as they relate to container plant material. The position will spend a large percentage of time in the field, working directly with Nursery, East Coast District Team and US/Can Propagators on best practices and the commercialization of new growing methods and new product development of substrate grown plants. This position will be the primary nursery representative and will facilitate year-round delivery of Nursery propagated plant material to various locations in the Eastern US and Eastern Canada. This position will also assist in managing grower relations and claim investigation processes and resolution (Open to candidates / East Coast remote work).
Responsibilities

• Proactively provide complex agronomic technical support to operated and contract nurseries in the US and Canada for the purpose of ensuring consistent best management practices are followed in order to successfully produce container plant material
• Recommend cultural practices to local fruit district staff and growers that align with existing nursery plant types and new product releases to ensure the best opportunity for plant performance of container plant material. Proactively work with local staff to implement
• Develop, document, maintain and communicate Driscoll's Nursery plant specifications for substrate grown plant material. As well as ensuring alignment with grower and district customers.
• Support the commercialization process of new plant types for substrate grown crops including working with internal and external nurseries, documenting specifications and communicating all technical aspects of new practices.
• Work directly with National Supply and Regional Managers on new plant type and propagation methods of substrate container plant material, and how they affect fruit performance and future supply plans
• Liaising with the Planning and Order Fulfillment group to ensure timely packing and delivery of substrate container plant material.
• Proactively understanding orders, delivery windows and communicating any concerns over shortfalls/overages of plant material that may arise, well in advance. This would include monthly order status updates in the Nursery Plant Order (NPO) system.

• During the commencement of packing for Eastern US and Canada nurseries, verify plant quality and readiness for packing, communicating quality standards and ensuring Driscoll's specifications are adhered to
• Understand and proactively support complex clean stock processes across the US and Canada Nursery Operations, as they relate to the production of substrate container plant material.
• Work closely with Nursery Plant Health to ensure implementation of clean stock protocols, identify issues/solutions, and proactively communicate findings to Nursery Leadership

• Understand and execute against the Fruit Grower requirements by crop, plant type and delivery date.
• Understand third party and strategic nursery partners planning processes for substrate container plant production, ensuring resources are in place for on time planting, harvesting and packing of plant material, implementing corrective solutions to any issues that arise.
• Verify and investigate plant claims, carry out detailed investigations to identify issues/solutions and proactively communicate findings to Nursery Leadership.
• Perform other duties as needed by US/CAN Nursery Supply Manager
• Follow Company policies and practices while representing Driscoll's in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, governmental agencies, growers, customers, etc
• Ensure the security of Driscoll's confidential and proprietary information and materials.
• Domestic and international travel is required

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Plant Science, Agronomy or other related field. A Master's degree preferred.

• Five plus years' agronomic experience.

• Berry crop experience a plus
  Experience With:

• Agronomic support
• Plant pathology - Crop Protection
• Plant fertility
• Greenhouse/Substrate production
• Fertigation systems management
• Planning

• Microsoft Office - Intermediate
• Possess technical writing abilities in order to develop and document SOP's/BMP's. - Advanced
• Possess highly effective communication, teaching and presentation skills, with the ability to present complex concepts.
• Valid Passport and ability to travel without restrictions.
  Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Mindset: Looks toward the future and designs a way to get there.
• Cultivates Innovation: Finds, champions, and implements innovations; large or small.
• Plans & Aligns: Establishes priorities and desired outcomes and creates plans to achieve them.
• Drives Results: Pursues everything with energy, resourcefulness, and the need to achieve desired outcomes.
• Collaborates: Works with a variety of colleagues, inside and/or outside of Driscoll's, seeking win-wins solutions.
• Drives Engagement: Creates a motivating work environment and empowers others.
• Develops Talent: Actively seeks opportunities to develop one's self and others.
• Courage: Tackles difficult issues timely with optimism and transparency.

Compensation & Benefits:
The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors.
Salary range estimated for the East Coast Nursery Agronomist role is: $79,779 to $117,600 USD.
Driscoll's is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include: 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.