Head Grower

About West Coast Floral

West Coast Floral Growers & Distributors LTD is a family-run business specializing in greenhouse production and distribution, located in Surrey, British Columbia. They cultivate a variety of ornamental plants including annuals, tropical plants, and succulents, servicing wholesale clients and operating the West Coast Gardens retail garden center.

Role Overview

The Head Grower role is a senior leadership position focused on directing the growing operations in a commercial ornamental greenhouse environment. The role demands a blend of practical horticultural competence and people management skills to ensure consistent crop quality and team development.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure production of high-quality, market-ready crops that adhere to the company's standards.
• Guide, mentor, and develop the Grower Assistant(s) and maintenance staff to enhance productivity.
• Oversee crop health via managing irrigation, nutrients, environment, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Promptly respond to emerging issues related to crop quality, pests, diseases, nutrition, and environmental conditions.
• Maintain crops on schedule, ensuring readiness aligns with shipping plans.
• Work to reduce crop losses and maintain consistent quality across all crop groups.
• Maintain greenhouse facilities and equipment in safe, clean, and operational states.
• Implement and complete routine maintenance for irrigation and growing machinery.
• Ensure strict compliance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Greenhouse Certification Program and maintain audit readiness.
• Collaborate effectively with administrative, production, and ownership teams.
• Identify and implement practical improvements to cultivation methods and overall greenhouse performance.

Success Metrics

• Keep crop shrinkage at or below company targets per crop group.
• Achieve a minimum average weekly crop quality score of 90%.
• Ensure at least 95% of crops are ready during their designated shipping week.
• Maintain 100% compliance with CFIA Greenhouse Certification Program and audit readiness.
• Keep facilities clean, safe, organized, and ready for production.
• Complete preventative maintenance to ensure reliable and efficient growing equipment.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience in commercial greenhouse cultivation, preferably with varied ornamental crops.
• Proven leadership of significant greenhouse growing operations.
• Strong understanding of plant biology and aptitude for crop condition assessment.
• Advanced expertise in irrigation, nutrient management, environmental controls, and IPM strategies.
• Skillful in diagnosing crop issues, tracing causes, and implementing corrective measures swiftly.
• Experience mentoring and developing greenhouse staff.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Meticulous approach to record-keeping, regulatory compliance, and process completion.
• Commitment to ongoing enhancement and responsible management of greenhouse assets.
• Familiarity with greenhouse environmental control systems.
• Capability to work collaboratively with planning, administration, operations, and ownership stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Canadian ornamental horticulture standards and CFIA certification is advantageous.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range is $120,000 to $150,000 based on experience and proven skills. Benefits include an employee benefits plan, four weeks of vacation, and performance-based bonuses.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a resume along with a brief cover letter detailing:

• The types of greenhouse operations and crop categories managed.
• The scale of greenhouse space previously overseen.
• Your experience leading and coaching growing teams.
• A specific achievement involving improvement in crop quality, shrink percentage, timing, or growing systems.

Applications can be submitted internally or via email to the company's HR department.