Head Grower

Job Description
Job DescriptionLocation: Early Branch, South CarolinaRelocation to Early Branch, SC is requiredLead the Growing Operation of a Large-Scale, High-Tech GreenhouseWe are seeking an experiencedHead Grower / Director of Growingto lead commercial tomato production at a30-acre high-tech greenhouse operationin Early Branch, South Carolina.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced commercial greenhouse professional who understandshigh-wire tomato production, crop steering, climate control, fertigation, biological IPM, automation, and large-scale greenhouse operations.
The successful candidate will play a key role in thecommissioning and startup of the greenhouse, establish crop production systems, lead growing strategies, and provide technical expertise for future expansion.
Relocation to Early Branch, South Carolina is required.
Why This OpportunityLead growing operations at a30-acre commercial greenhousePlay a key role infacility commissioning and operational startupHelp shape the design and engineering of afuture greenhouse expansionLead advancedhigh-wire tomato productionUtilize modern CEA automation, climate-control, and fertigation technologyEstablish crop steering, irrigation, IPM, and production standardsBuild and mentor a strong growing and crop-care teamWork directly with Operations and executive leadershipOpportunity to make a significant impact on a growing commercial operationKey ResponsibilitiesGreenhouse Commissioning & StartupLead the technical and biological commissioning of the 30-acre greenhouse.
Conduct wet-testing of fertigation systems and irrigation skids.
Calibrate environmental and crop sensors.
Configure automated climate-control systems.
Establish greenhouse biosecurity and sanitation zones.
Develop slab pre-saturation and initial transplanting procedures.
Establish production protocols for a successful commercial startup.
Crop Steering & Climate ManagementDevelop 24-hour environmental strategies to optimize vegetative and generative crop balance.
Manage VPD, humidity deficit, light integration, air circulation, CO2 enrichment, temperature, and other environmental parameters.
Optimize climate strategies to maximizeyield, fruit quality, plant health, and fruit set.
Utilize greenhouse climate-control platforms such asPriva, Hoogendoorn, Argus, or comparable systems.
Fertigation & Root-Zone ManagementDevelop and continuously refine crop-specific nutrient programs.
Analyze water, nutrient, and drain data to optimize crop performance.
Monitor EC, pH, drain percentage, dry-back curves, dissolved oxygen, and root development.
Manage crops grown inrockwool, coco, or comparable commercial substrates.
Balance irrigation and fertigation systems for consistent crop performance.
Greenhouse Expansion & Engineering InputProvide technical growing expertise for future greenhouse expansion, including:Gutter height and slopeHeating pipe distributionGrow pipe and rail systemsEnergy and shading screensSupplemental LED lightingClosed-loop irrigation and recirculationWater sanitation systemsGreenhouse climate and environmental systemsIntegrated Pest & Disease ManagementDevelop and implement proactive biological IPM programs.
Manage beneficial insects, predatory mites, and biological fungicides.
Establish rigorous scouting and pest-threshold programs.
Maintain sanitation and clean-break procedures.
Minimize chemical dependence while protecting crop health and production.
Leadership & Labor ManagementLead and mentor assistant growers, crop scouts, supervisors, and crop-care teams.
Partner with Operations Management to establish labor requirements and production benchmarks.
Develop SOPs for clipping, twisting, de-leafing, lowering, truss pruning, harvesting, and other crop-care activities.
Establish productivity benchmarks and continuously improve labor efficiency.
Train supervisors and production teams on crop-care standards.
Crop Registration & Yield ForecastingConduct weekly crop registration and monitor plant development.
Track stem thickness, growth rate, flowering speed, fruit load, and other crop indicators.
Produce accurate4–8 week rolling yield and harvest forecasts.
Communicate production forecasts to packhouse, sales, operations, and executive leadership.
Food Safety & ComplianceEnsure compliance with applicable:PrimusGFSUSDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)Worker Protection Standards (WPS)State and federal environmental requirementsGreenhouse food-safety and worker-safety standardsRequired ExperienceThis is a senior-level commercial greenhouse position.7–10+ years of large-scale commercial high-wire greenhouse vegetable productionTomato production experience is required3–5+ years as a Head Grower, Senior Grower, Director of Growing, or equivalentExperience managing crops across10+ contiguous acresDemonstrated experience with large-scale commercial greenhouse operationsExperience withgreenhouse commissioning, startup, expansion, or facility developmentAdvanced knowledge of greenhouse climate-cont