What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Agronomist position at Van Drunen Farms?
The Van Drunen Family of Companies is growing!
WHAT’S GROWING AT VAN DRUNEN FARMS AND FUTURECEUTICALS? WE ARE!
As a global, growing, and vibrant ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world’s best companies, Van Drunen Farms and Future-Ceuticals are always seeking positive and talented employees to help our company reach the next level. We provide a family- oriented company and an opportunity to grow professionally and personally.
JOB OVERVIEW:
The Agronomist is responsible for overseeing crop health, pest management, and scouting, as well as managing the research trials and projects completed by the agriculture department. The Agronomist should continually study the crops and soils to develop new methods to improve and increase the quality and production of the food crops.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Regularly scout fields to monitor pest pressure, crop health, and quality
- Manage all field sampling activities, including tissue, soil, and residue sampling
- Oversee all planning, field activities, and data collection in the test plots and for any in-field trials
- Work with field supervisors to plan fertilizer and chemical applications
- Inventory management and procurement of agri-chemicals and fertilizers
- Assist crop manager with field planning and crop rotation plans
- Seek out and evaluate new products for potential usage on VDF crops
- Actively participate and take the lead on Continuous Improvement initiatives and projects
- Assist with administrative duties as needed to maintain all farm records
- Monitor and schedule proper use of all herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers
- Supervise spray and fertilizer applicators
- Actively participate in the Agriculture Leadership Team and role-model leadership behaviors
- Ensure that all safety procedures are followed. Work with the Safety department to continually improve safety awareness, behavior, and conditions.
- In partnership with the Quality department, facilitate internal and external audits
- Ensure that all HAACP and Good Agriculture Practices are followed. Work with the Ag/Farm Plant Quality Team to continually improve product quality and food safety
- Continually work towards improving efficiencies in Agriculture
- Conduct all duties in an environmentally responsible manner
- Perform any other duty as assigned
JOB EXPERIENCE:
- 1 years of experience with specialty crops or field research experience preferred
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
- Strong scouting and pest identification skills
- Strong technical agri-science skills
- Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and e-mail.
- Developed listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- Must be a problem-solver who demonstrates good judgment.
- Ability to work with a team and independently
- Some travel is required with this position
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred in Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related Ag field is preferred, equivalent experience may also be considered
- Candidate must be able to attain and keep active an Illinois Pesticide Applicators License
- A Valid driver’s license is required
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and outside weather conditions including at times, extreme cold and extreme heat. In addition, portions of this job will be completed in an indoor office setting which may require sharing spaces with fellow employees and include noise from standard office equipment.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and technical skills required of personnel so classified.
Expected Pay Range: $65,000 - $75,000
Bonus: This role may further qualify for supplemental compensation in the form of bonus and incentive programs, contingent upon achieving pre-established individual and company performance metrics.
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Benefits Available:
benefits-summary-2025.pdf
In the Van Drunen Family of Companies, commitment to excellence is in everything we do! As a global ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world’s best companies, we thrive on nourishing others with our products and our care for people. If you are looking to make an impact and grow with a family-friendly, values-driven company, you'll fit right in with the Van Drunen Family of Companies!
Our employees are the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, creativity, innovation, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our Company’s achievement as well.
The Van Drunen Family of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at
recruiting@vandrunen.com
.
Van Drunen Family of Companies does not accept unsolicited resumes. Any resumes, CV’s, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a submitted request and written search agreement for a position-specific requisition will be deemed the sole property of Van Drunen Family of Companies and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by our Company.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran
Salary : $65,000 - $75,000
