Saunders Brothers is a family owned and operated wholesale nursery and orchard in beautiful central Virginia. We are seeking a Section Grower for our woody container production division. Our long-established family nursery will provide the tools and professional development opportunities to help you succeed. Saunders Brothers is committed to beautifying our world by producing the highest quality plant material for discerning customers. If you've dreamed of working in a diverse family atmosphere where faith, integrity, honesty, and passion are core values, come join our team!
Requirements and duties would include the following:
Growing Responsibilities
- Responsible for plant quality and growth from time of planting until sale including planting, pruning, spacing, nutrition, cold protection, and meeting overall SBI standards for sale.
- Maintain regular presence in field. Manage and work closely with field supervisor to prioritize daily tasks. Ensure that growing and plant health activities are completed on time.
- Consult with Head Woody Grower to troubleshoot problems.
- Scout crops weekly for pests and disease.
- Manage plant growth and ensure proper growing conditions through weekly field tests of chemical and physical properties of growing media. Determine and oversee corrective action as needed.
- Manage irrigation and water quality for assigned growing areas.
- Respond to questions from sales team and work closely with Sales Manager to understand crop expectations.
- Serve as backup for other growers when needed.
- Oversee plant deliveries and check plant material for accuracy, quality, and health.
- Attend conferences, meetings, and organizations the company deems necessary and report on new ideas learned.
- Assist Head Woody Grower with other tasks as needed.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Check orders against acknowledgements, packing slips, and invoices.
- Communicate plant quantity and quality issues to vendors.
- Assist Head Woody Grower with orders for custom and branded tags.
- Assist Head Woody Grower with quarterly royalty reports for branded programs.
- Keep patent information up-to-date and report that information to Marketing Department.
Qualifications:
- Must be able to obtain a Virginia Private Pesticide Applicator License.
- Prefer at least a 2-year college degree and 2 years of horticultural experience or 5 years of horticultural experience.
- Must have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Powerpoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook as well as other computer skills. Must have excellent math skills.
- Prefer to be able to speak Spanish or be willing to learn to speak Spanish.
- Must be physically capable of performing the responsibilities and requirements of this position.
- Must have good organizational skills, be able to prioritize workload, and have flexibility as work demands change.
- Must have excellent communication skills and be able to effectively work with other staff members.
- Must be willing to work outside in all types of weather and may work alone in the nursery.
- Must be willing to work Saturdays on a rotating schedule and after hours, as necessary.
- Must have a valid VA Driver’s License.
Supervisor: This position will answer directly to the Head Woody Grower of Saunders Brothers, Inc.
Pay and Benefits: We offer a competitive salary, health insurance, paid time off, 401k package (eligible upon completion of 1 year of employment), short term disability insurance, and employee pricing on plants and farm market items. We also offer professional training and staff development opportunities for staff. This is a full-time, on site, year-round position.
Drug Testing and Background Checks: Saunders Brothers is committed to providing a drug-free and safe workplace. Therefore, all employees are subject to random drug testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and post-accident testing. In addition, all new employees will be subject to a background check.
Start Date: As soon as filled.
Information and Application: Saunders Brothers Inc. is comfortably situated on the sunny side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located less than 1 hour from the renowned University of Virginia medical center and Liberty University, Nelson County has numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing. In company perks include discounts at our retail Farm Market that include seasonal fruit from our orchards, family-raised meats and wholesale pricing on plants grown on our farm.
Contact Mari Johnson at jobs@saundersbrothers.com. The job description may be seen at www.saundersbrothers.com and the application downloaded or completed from the website. Application must be submitted with resume in order to be considered.
Saunders Brothers Core Values
Faith- Our Core Values and business practices are directed by our Christian faith.
Integrity- Honesty and truthfulness are foundational to our business and we seek to do what is morally and ethically right.
Passion- We strive to enthusiastically share our love for Agriculture by connecting people with plants, fruit, and the farm.
Family- The Saunders Brothers’ Family includes and fosters many diverse families, generations, races, religions, and nationalities.
Business Purpose
To make a profit doing something we love.
To have a positive impact on our employees, customers, suppliers, community, and environment.
To provide a productive, nurturing, and fulfilling environment for our team.
Strategy
To be a premier supplier of superb-quality plant material for garden centers, landscapers, and public gardens throughout the Eastern United States.
To be a premier supplier of extraordinary fruit to the people of the Mid-Atlantic area.