Grower

Description

Clesen Wholesale

is a premier grower and distributor of seasonal annual flowers and plants selling to independent garden centers, professional landscapers and mass markets in the Upper Midwest. We are the largest single source of winter decorations for outdoor holiday containers, decorating and landscape beds serving the entire US. Established in 1941, our fourth-generation family business is enthusiastic and passionate about quality, selection and service. We have three greenhouse facilities located in Evanston, Lake Villa and Grayslake, IL along with a distribution center in Northbrook, IL. We are a thriving business with years of continuous strong growth and an exciting vision for the future. We are building a stronger culture with great teams and great individuals to help create beautiful environments for the public and private sectors.

The Grower position is responsible for assisting with plant irrigation, integrated pest management, grow plan compliance, crop care and maintenance and production support.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Grow greenhouse crops to meet company quality standards. Follow established grow plans and help create best practices for crop sciences. Plan daily irrigation decisions based on workload, crop, and environmental requirements. Respond to alarms, as needed.
• Integrated Pest Management. Growers will be required to maintain an active Illinois commercial not-for-hire operator or applicator pesticide license. Growers will scout crops and perform chemical applications to crops that include fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, and disinfectants in accordance with CW Grow Plans. Growers will maintain IPM records in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Monitor quality of incoming and outgoing product alerting SG and OM of any concerns of product that does not meet Clesen quality standards. Complete weekly crop status assessment walks with SG and escalate any concerns to the HG.
• Crop Production. Plant crops in designated areas according to greenhouse processes and SG directions regarding proper depth, appropriate containers, and with complete trays. Accurately label crops. Pinch and space plants as directed by the SG or OM.
• Pull customer orders accurately and quickly with quality product and according to individual customer quality standards. Notify OM of any crop quality or quantity issues in a timely manner.
• Facility cleanliness to insure a clean and orderly work area which includes returning unused materials and tools to proper designated area, trash container, or recycling containers. Maintain orderly storage of carts and that all carts are in working order.
• Operations maintenance of irrigation lines, build and breakdown carts/canopy, installing weed barrier, installing poly roofs on hoop houses, and other tasks as needed. Duties may also include painting, cleaning and emptying garbage, and making minor repairs.
• Safe work environment. Follow all safety protocols, ensuring others follow safety protocols and resolve when appropriate. Alert Management of any safety concerns.
• Assist other team members, Team Leaders, and Managers when requested, working at other company sites as needed, and supporting any ad hoc operational projects as requested.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Illinois pesticide operators license required; applicators license preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience working in greenhouse or growing environment preferred.
• Dependable and reliable work record including reporting to work on time consistently and following directions accurately without reminding.
• Demonstrate ability to work well in a team environment helping out others, creating a cohesive work unit, and contributing to a positive work atmosphere.
• Basic level of English language proficiency needed to understand directions, follow instructions, understand reports and procedures, and to escalate pertinent information to supervisor.
• Proven ability to follow directions consistently and retain information provided.
• Have ability to flex and work in multiple company locations.

Physical Requirements:

Able to repetitively bend, stretch, reach, lift, stand, and walk with unrestricted motion. Able to remain on feet for majority of the day. Can lift 50 pounds or more and push and pull carts weighing up to 500 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Position Location/Expected Hours of Work:

• Nonexempt, hourly
• Location: Lake Villa
• Greenhouse location or distribution center
• Full-time, weekends required.
• Must be flexible to work across Clesen’s various worksites

Benefits

• One week PTO to accrue within first year of employment
• 8 company paid holidays
• Very competitive compensation
• Excellent benefits, including three medical plan offerings with employer contribution for employees and dependents, company paid basic life insurance, dental, vision, voluntary life, short term disability
• 401k with up to 4% company match annually

Clesen Wholesale is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].