Objective:

The purpose of this position is to support our nursery operations team by using high tech sensor and analysis tools to assist with crop management decisions. The goal is to improve plant quality and yield consistency while using our resources more efficiently.

Qualifications:

• Qualified candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Ag Engineering, or related field. M.S. preferred.
• Three (3) to five (5) years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong working knowledge of innovative new technologies that can be applied to agriculture.
• Experience with hyperspectral imaging.
• Experience with multivariate statistics and specialized software packages such as ENVI, Gerbil, Opticks, Matlab
• Experience with soil moisture monitoring and automated irrigation systems.
• Experience with VR Prescription mapping software
• Strong capability with data analysis, inquisitive, and able to present information in a scientifically acceptable format.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Ability to clearly express ideas and facts orally and in writing.

Key Competencies:

• Innovation – The generation of ideas and solutions to problems, including new ways of working. Ability to think laterally ‘outside the box’. Originates action to improve business situations and may occasionally challenge the status quo.
• Adaptability – Ability to remain effective within a changing environment, by acting when faced with new tasks, responsibilities or people.
• Teamwork – Willingness to participate as a full member of a team of which one is not the leader. Be an effective communicator even when the team is working on something of no direct personal interest.

Other Competencies:

• Leadership – Utilization of appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to guide individuals or groups towards task accomplishment
• Commercial Awareness – To understand the key business issues that affect the profitability and growth of the company and instigate appropriate action to maximize success. Exposure to negotiation techniques.
• Planning and Organizing – Ability to establish efficiently an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal.
• Judgment – Ability to evaluate data and courses of action and to reach logical decisions. An unbiased, rational approach.
• Persuasive Communication – Be able to express ideas or facts, orally or in writing, in a clear and persuasive manner. To convince others to own expressed point of view.
• Maintaining a Strategic Approach – To keep a vision of the longer term and the wider organization, and relate what logistics does to the ‘bigger picture’.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Generate VR prescription maps for soil amendments
• Preparation, maintenance, and installation of equipment required for the utilization of soil data probes to monitor water, salt and nutrient status and movement. Identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in data sets. Prepare reports, stating trends, patterns, and recommendations.
• Preparation, maintenance, and installation of equipment required for the utilization of hyperspectral imaging to provide data on the condition and health of crops. Identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in data sets. Prepare reports, stating trends, patterns, and recommendations.
• Preparation, maintenance, and installation of equipment required for the utilization of weather stations and temperature sensors to monitor our crop during the growing season and throughout the cold chain. Identify, analyze, and interpret patterns and trends in data sets. Prepare reports, stating trends, patterns, and recommendations.
• Keep information of global developments in the field Precision Ag. Lead efforts to identify, adopt, and implement new technologies.

Other Essential Job Duties:

• Collaborate effectively with Operations, Quality Assurance, and IT teams
• Align with the company's values and strategies and follow Company policies and practices while representing the Company in an ethical and business-like manner

Please contact Tara, tara@producecareers.com

Compensation: $75,000 - $100,000