Job Description

Company Mission, Values, and Goal:

Blue Star Growers (BSG) is a pear packing warehouse located in Cashmere, Washington that was established in 1907. It is the vision of Blue Star to be the best of the best in people, packing, and production. It is Blue Star’s mission to deliver maximum value to our growers while making Blue Star a great place to work. Our goal is to become the best pear packing warehouse in the industry.

Benefits Package:

We have an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid time off, holidays, matching 401K program, medical, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance. We also offer an employee assistance program and a fun teamwork environment. Our horticulturists also receive a laptop, phone stipend, truck and a four-wheeler (if needed) during their employment.

Pay: $72,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Position Summary:

Our horticulturist is our direct line of communication between the grower and Blue Star Growers, Inc. They will provide growers with advice on all aspects of fruit production. They will facilitate a timely harvest across geographic locations and varieties. They will provide the BSG management and the BSG team with all pertinent fruit quality information from the field. They will relay grower concerns to BSG management. This position will report to the Field Services Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead by example our Blue Star Vision, Mission, and Values.
• Be kind and offer solutions.
• Harvest timing and scheduling for all growers and varieties.
• Provide growers with horticultural advice, including harvest timing, orchard development and renewal information, pest control advice and trending planting activities in tree fruits, soils management and irrigation management.
• Timely and accurate orchard quantity and quality estimates across pear varieties to Ag Services Director.
• Ability to communicate and respond to grower concerns to Field Services Manager.
• Must be able to work with QC on all aspects of fruit quality and storage.
• Must retain a working knowledge of WSDA Fruit grade and BSG grade.
• Must have an active engagement with packing as his/her growers are packed.
• Provide Market updates and BSG Inventory information for grower level understanding.
• Recruit and Secure high-quality tonnage that meets BSG goals.
• Participate in all Raw Product Committee (RPC) meetings.
• Have a working knowledge of BSG food safety Program (SQF) and assist the food safety department with audits and grower education. Certification training will be provided.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Communication Skills: A BSG Horticulturist is both a Grower Advocate and BSG Advocate.
• Washington State Driver’s License in good standing and insurable. Ability to drive a truck and/or four wheeler through orchards in a safe manner.
• Must have time scheduling efficiency.
• Basic understanding of pest control for BSG varieties.
• Remain active in Tree Fruit industry horticultural and political trends.
• Experienced in MS Excel and MS word
• Good written and verbal communication skills. Public presentation and speaking required .

Education and Experience:

Required

• An Associates degree in Tree Fruit Production or related ag-science degree.
• Two years previous Tree Fruit consulting/advising and warehouse experience.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy or agriculturally related degree.
• Pear horticultural experience.
• WSDA Commercial pest consultant license
• Bilingual: Spanish and English

Expected Hours of Work:

Core business hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These workdays and hours may vary depending on production requirements. Overtime hours may be needed at times to accommodate harvest requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to walk and inspect orchards in varied topography.
• Ability to visually inspect insects and fruit maladies.
• Able to drive to orchards and meetings throughout the Pacific Northwest.

This position is a safety-sensitive position and requires a pre-employment drug test as well as participation in our random drug testing program, and possible additional drug testing at the company’s request.

Blue Star Growers, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these factors.

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