Job description
VerdantPeak Farms, a premium horticulture operation in Portland, OR, is seeking a Senior Horticulturist & Greenhouse Operations Lead. This role combines hands-on plant care with leadership to optimize crop quality, yield, and sustainability across our glasshouses and trial beds. The ideal candidate couples deep horticultural knowledge with a collaborative mindset and the ability to implement data-driven improvements.
In this role, you will be responsible for shaping our propagation, irrigation, pruning, and pest management programs, while mentoring a growing team of horticulture technicians. You will partner with cross-functional teams to bring new varieties from concept to cultivation, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Responsibility
- Lead daily greenhouse operations, including climate control, irrigation scheduling, pruning, propagation, and harvest planning.
- Develop and implement plant care protocols for ornamentals, edibles, and native species to optimize health and appearance.
- Manage a small team, create schedules, provide training, and ensure safety and compliance with company policies.
- Monitor crop performance using metrics (yield, growth rate, disease incidence) and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with R&D and purchasing to evaluate varieties, manage IPM strategies, and source quality inputs.
- Oversee equipment maintenance, facility sanitation, and inventory control for consumables and supplies.
- Drive process improvements through data analysis, standard operating procedures, and sustainability initiatives.
Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Botany, or a related field (or 4+ years of relevant experience).
- 3+ years in horticulture or greenhouse management, with proven leadership capabilities.
- Strong knowledge of plant propagation, hydroponic and soil-based systems, irrigation, nutrition, and IPM.
- Experience with climate-control technology, sensors, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills.
- Ability to work in physically demanding environments, lift up to 50 lbs, and accommodate peak-season schedules.
- Commitment to sustainable farming practices and safety regulations.