Foundation Plant Lead

Fall Creek is creating a world with better blueberries through its friendly, collaborative team spread across the globe.
To help us accomplish this, we are seeking a qualified Foundation Plant Lead.
This position will be located in Lowell, OR.
The Fall Creek Foundation Plant Lead works closely with Centralized Managers including the Horticultural Growing Manager, Centralized Foundation Plant Manager, the US Lab Manager, the TC Stock Planner, and other Breeding/R&D managers.
This position collaborates with similar roles in other regions and works directly with external suppliers, institutions, and agencies.
What you'll do at Fall Creek: 1.
Leads implementation of ODA Vaccinium and Rubus Certification programs which can include: -Manages annual registration of foundation plants.
Manages large data sets of foundation plant inventory and all associated testing data.
Develops strategy and schedules movement of plants between the clean stock program and various foundation houses.
2.
Works closely with the Global Invitro Planning Lead and the US Tissue Culture Lab to maintain material availability for tissue culture initiations.
Communicates with lab on plant development and readiness for initiations.
3.
Manages the horticultural care of foundation plants including irrigation, fertilizing, pruning, flower removal, weeding, etc.
and maintains records of other data points as needed.
4.
Works closely with the Crop Health Supervisor for routine scouting and schedules necessary sprays for crop health and pest management.
5.
Maintains mechanical systems and equipment including greenhouse controls, irrigation system, and chemical injection systems.
Notifies the facilities department and managers immediately of needed repairs.
6.
Projects and tracks labor needs and coordinates between various departments to complete work in a timely manner.
7.
Collaborates with international foundation and clean stock programs to meet business goals and maintain standardized program functions.
8.
Routine reporting of all activities to various stakeholders and management within designated timelines.
What you bring to Fall Creek: 1.
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a plant sciences field or area clearly related to the above-mentioned duties.
2.
2+ years’ experience in a position clearly related to the above-mentioned duties.
3.
Minimum of 1+ years’ experience in a supervisory/management position with proven ability to manage, develop, and mentor staff.
4.
Strong working knowledge of data management software such as the Microsoft suite of programs.
5.
Ability to prioritize work within established guidelines and follow through on a variety of requests.
Ability to develop clear action plans and drive processes with many interdependencies.
6.
Good judgment in decision making and in recognizing scope of authority.
7.
Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, vendors, customers, peers, and the community.
8.
Effective oral and written communication skills at all levels of the organization.
9.
Ability to effectively present information in formal and informal settings.
Who is Fall Creek? We’re a US-based company with a keen focus on blueberry genetics, plants, and grower support delivered to the world’s premier blueberry growers.
From our humble beginnings in Lowell, Oregon more than 40 years ago, we now also have wholly-owned nurseries in Mexico, Peru, Spain, South Africa, Netherlands, Chile, China, and expanding nurseries in North Africa and Eastern Europe.
Additionally, we have built a global team of the finest breeders, researchers, propagators and nursery professionals, grower support technicians, sales and customer service experts and more.
We’re a deeply-planted link in a global chain, ready to serve our customers and our industry throughout North, Central, and South America, Greater Europe, Asia and Africa.
Our mission is to serve the growers and to support the blueberry industry, helping to ensure growers maximize success through our delivery of the best genetics and plants, technical know-how and global market intelligence.
To fulfill our mission, we focus on cultivating exceptional plants, building strong relationships and providing responsive customer service.
This is all part of how we’re helping to build A World with Better Blueberries™.
Fall Creek Farm & Nursery® offers a competitive salary and benefit package which includes health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and 401K plan.
This position requires an executed confidentiality and non-solicitation agreement upon hire.
Employment offers are contingent on meeting our drug testing, background, and reference check standards.
EOE