Grower Specialist

Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.

Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

• Support growers/SG GC&I claim investigation, root cause determination, corrective action and resolution.
• Work with Sales org and growers to provide differentiated solutions/unique/proprietary growing opportunities. Work with Sales and R&D on innovation and new product development.
• Provide educational training with both internal and external customers.
• Quality/technical support for manufacturing facilities.
  
  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide sales support through travel with sales, sales technical training and development of product information for sales and customers/potential customers. This would include Product Knowledge training for sales, distributors and growers.
• Review and investigate GC&I claims, root cause determination and root cause corrective action and resolution.
• Work with Quality and Sales to resolve escalated quality issues that are impacting customer satisfaction.
• Provide assistance to quality team for:
• Developing/maintaining product specs and formulations
• Evaluation and qualification of current and new raw materials
• Validate capability of vendors and manufacturing to meet specifications
• Work with Sales and R&D on innovation and new product development opportunities.
• Work with Sales, Operations and R&D on competetive product evaluation and testing
• Work with Sales, production, and quality team on opportunities to regionally source raw materials for retail products to reduce cost while maintaining quality.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong customer focus including the ability to balance the needs of the customer with the needs of the business
• Knowledge of horticulture, especially greenhouse production and growing media
• Understanding of statistics and experimental design
• Good public speaking skills – Effective presentation skills a must.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Understanding of growing media chemistry, horticultural practices and plant growth.
• Negotiation, sales and analytical skills are required
• Computer skills a must, specific proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, digital photography, Internet and email.
• Strong fact based decision making skills
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to establish plans
• Skilled change champion.
• Strong execution skills
  
  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum BS in Horticultural Science or related field. MS or PhD preferred.
• Minimum five years experience in the Horticulture Industry, with emphasis on greenhouse and nursery production, as well as mix production site experience.
  
  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to live in the assigned area as needed.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
  
  

Sun Gro Horticulture is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sun Gro Horticulture encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.