Section Grower

Description

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we’ve grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!   

Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.  

True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties. Driven by the spirit of innovation, the team is always testing new plants and developing new solutions to make it easier for retailers and plant parents to enjoy plants. We’re also continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as one aspect of our many sustainability efforts.  

We cultivate plants, as well as a winning culture. Join the team, and you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll collaborate with other driven, determined people who together keep Costa Farms an industry leader. You’ll support and be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community.   

You’ll also find right away that Costa Farms is committed to providing a diverse environment. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law.  

DESCRIPTION

The Section Grower at Costa Farms is a results-driven horticultural leader responsible for providing leadership, direction, and coordination for the Costa Color growing team based in Miami, Florida. This role strives to make an impact on the quality of plants, people, processes, and business metrics. The Section Grower holds leadership and accountability for safety, quality, productivity, and cost within their respective areas while meeting corporate and departmental goals and initiatives. This position supports, implements, and uses the Costa Production System (CPS) as the primary tool for operational excellence and continuous improvement. As an active participant in continuous improvement, employee development, and strategic decision making, the Section Grower oversees, manages, and participates in all aspects of growing high-quality plants on time and at a reasonable cost, while meeting the required quality specifications communicated by the customer.

Requirements

Moisture Management (25%)

• Ensure that all growing staff understand and follow the correct moisture management requirements for the various crops in production.
• Ensure that new employees are properly trained to apply water to various container sizes without causing damage to or loss of plant materials and know how to operate the various systems.
• Ensure that all growing staff understand and follow the correct time of day and conditions in which to irrigate crops to avoid disease or fungal infections.
• Assist in irrigating crops in situations such as holidays, labor shortages, unusual weather, etc.
• Report and follow up on any maintenance issues regarding water handling systems to the Grower Manager, Head Grower, or Maintenance Department for repair.
• Review and submit requests for tools, parts, or other materials needed for irrigation systems to the Grower Manager or Head Grower for review.

Fertigation (15%)

• Direct the proper selection, rate, frequency, and application of liquid fertilizers, along with the Grower Manager, to ensure high-quality plants are produced without wasting resources.
• Help supervise the proper calibration and maintenance of injection systems.
• Randomly test fertilizer outputs from injection systems to ensure proper calibration and rates are being achieved.
• Perform weekly pH and EC testing as requested by the Managing Grower.

Pest Management (15%)

• Maintain pest levels at or below an acceptable threshold to avoid loss of sales or customer dissatisfaction.
• Direct the proper selection, rate, frequency, and application of all pesticides, along with the Managing Grower, to ensure high-quality plants are produced without wasting resources.
• Assist with applications as needed.
• Continually scout all active growing areas to quickly identify any pest problems. Report all pest problems to the Grower Manager immediately.
• Organize and collect soil and tissue samples to be sent for nutrition and diagnostic analysis as directed by the Managing Grower.
• Acquire, within ninety days of hire, and maintain a valid pesticide applicator's certification or license from the state where the farm is physically located.
• Ensure compliance with the Worker Protection Standards Act, including the instruction of new employees and growing department personnel regarding pesticide safety, as well as loading, handling, and application.
• Report and follow up on any maintenance issues regarding pesticide application systems to the Grower Manager or Maintenance Department for repair.
• Review and submit requests to the Grower Manager for pesticide products, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), or spraying supplies to be purchased.

Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Management (15%)

• Ensure the proper application of PGRs to various crops to produce high-quality, saleable products that meet customer expectations while minimizing resource waste.
• Assist with PGR applications as necessary.
• Conduct trials to determine optimal PGR rates, intervals, and chemicals for different crops.
• Supervise equipment calibration to ensure proper PGR application rates to crops.
• Supervise and assist in gathering information, data entry, and PGR recommendations on crops requiring graphical tracking.

Environmental Management (15%)

• Assist the Grower Manager in programming and setting control systems for greenhouses to maintain efficient growing environments without compromising crop quality or timing.
• Oversee the use and maintenance of supplemental or photoperiod lighting systems.
• Report and follow up on defective environmental equipment or structural problems to the Grower Manager and Mechanic for repair.

Miscellaneous Requirements (15%)

• Coordinate with Operations for spreading, pinching, weeding, grooming, moving, or any other operation required.
• Drive accountability through the development of KPIs (Safety, Quality, and Productivity). Ensure success by setting targets, monitoring results, problem-solving recurrent issues, and providing feedback through daily team meetings.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Provide direct leadership, direction, and daily coordination to the growing team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement aligned with Costa Farms' H3 values.
• Train, coach, and develop growing staff and new employees on technical procedures, safety standards, and best practices, ensuring team members build the skills needed to perform at a high level.
• Set clear performance expectations, monitor individual and team results, and provide timely, constructive feedback to drive engagement and professional growth.
• Identify high-potential team members and support their development through cross-training, mentorship, and stretch assignments to build bench strength and succession depth.
• Promote effective communication across all levels of the team, lead daily team meetings, and ensure alignment on goals, priorities, and corrective actions.
• Lead by example in upholding safety protocols and Worker Protection Standards, holding the team accountable for compliance and a safe working environment.
• Support employee relations by recognizing strong performance, addressing performance concerns promptly and fairly, and partnering with the Grower Manager and Human Resources as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

Availability for flexible schedule changes based on business needs, including seasonal demand and additional hours outside of the regular work schedule, such as weekends, nights, and holidays.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather information or help as required, and perform additional duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or relevant alternative preferred but not required.
• Minimum four years of experience growing and finishing a variety of annual flowering products.
• Strong planning, organizational, analytical, leadership, interpersonal, decision-making, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn to operate environmental control systems and an understanding of greenhouse environmental management.
• Familiarity with proper moisture and nutrient management techniques and testing procedures.
• Ability to acquire a pesticide applicator's license/permit within ninety days of hire.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, and Outlook). Experience with Power BI is a plus.
• Multilingual abilities in Spanish and Creole are a plus.
• Able to lift fifty pounds and walk, bend, and kneel unassisted.

Percentage of Time

Sitting and computer work 25%Walking 50%Standing 20%Lifting, pushing, pulling up to 50 lbs. 5%

Work Environment:

The work environment for this role includes exposure to full sun outdoors or in a warehouse/greenhouse environment, with significant temperature fluctuations ranging from hot and humid to below freezing. The candidate should anticipate working in inclement weather conditions at times, with minimal protection, and in a dusty or dirty environment. This position involves manual labor and physical effort. Additionally, this position may require extended work hours, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

SKILLS

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to employees at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team in a fast-paced greenhouse environment, fostering accountability and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team-oriented environment and collaborate with others.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong analytical and critical/strategic thinking abilities. Capable of identifying problems, evaluating options, and implementing practical solutions through root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams).
• Effective time management skills to complete tasks within deadlines and maintain productivity.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.
• Capable of building and delivering presentations to all levels in ways that support problem-solving and planning.
• Proficiency in Basic Costa Orientation and Safety, Worker Protection Standards Act, Pesticide Awareness and Safety, Chemical Mixing/Handling/Loading, Moisture Management, and Pest Recognition/Identification.

COMPETENCIES

• People Leadership – Leads, motivates, and develops a diverse growing team; sets clear expectations, delegates effectively, and holds team members accountable for results.
• Coaching & Talent Development – Trains, mentors, and grows team members' capabilities, building bench strength and supporting succession planning.
• Change Management – Leads and supports change initiatives by developing or advocating new processes or systems, and influencing others.
• Effective Communication – Able to converse, write reports, and create/deliver presentations to all levels in ways that support problem-solving and planning.
• Performance Management – Experience managing KPIs (key performance indicators) with a results-oriented approach.
• Problem-Solving / Root Cause Analysis – Able to identify problems, report them to the supervisor, and recommend corrective actions through active participation in structured problem-solving.
• Critical / Strategic Thinking – Able to think critically and strategically to drive operational excellence.
• Innovation – Brings innovative thinking to growing processes and continuous improvement.
• Teamwork & Collaboration – Strong interpersonal and communication skills, willing to lead and work on teams and collaborate with others.

Here at Costa Farms, we're proud to offer not only a competitive wage, but also some really great benefits:

• Company 401(k) with employer matching contributions
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care 
• Telehealth - Medical and Mental Health Care
• Medical Insurance 
• GAP Insurance
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance (AFLAC) 
• Legal/ID Theft Protection plans
• Professional development opportunities 
• Challenging and exciting work environment 
• Costa Farms Scholarship 
• Employee discounts on plants 

Costa Farms headquarters in Miami, FL also has:

• On-site gym with showers  
• A subsidized on-site cafeteria, a designated quiet room, and indoor recreational activities are provided.   
• Love Where You Work activities throughout the year 

All applicants must be work-authorized. Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position. After applying, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and your go-to social platforms to stay updated on exciting developments at Costa Farms and build relationships with fellow plant enthusiasts on our team. Come Grow with Us™!