Greenhouse Agronomist
Santa Nella, CA
Full Time
Mid Level
Agronomist for Hotel Restaurant Greenhouse
Santa Nella, CA
About the Company
The Morning Star Company, and its affiliates, operate three tomato processing facilities in California, processing over 30% of the California crop, plus tomato transplanting, harvesting and trucking operations, with employment of approximately 500 year-round and 2,500 seasonal colleagues with annual sales of about $1 billion. The company is known worldwide for its innovation and integrity.
Position Overview
We are seeking a hands-on agricultural professional to lead production and supply of fresh produce, herbs, and flowers for our hotel and restaurant. The Mission of this individual is to produce and supply our hotel and restaurant with fresh produce, herbs and flowers from a 18,000 square foot, glass greenhouse, plus surrounding open ground, approximately one to two acres, including vegetables, olives, and grapes. Additional harvests may be sold at local farmers’ markets.The hotel property encompasses approximately 20 acres, including extensive landscaped areas that require year-round care. This role blends technical expertise in horticulture with practical business understanding, offering opportunities to collaborate across our broader commercial greenhouse operations and landscaping projects at other company properties.
- Partner with restaurant colleagues to plan and execute seasonal crop rotations for fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
- Oversee all aspects of greenhouse production
- Climate, irrigation, fertigation, pest management, people, crop types
- Oversee all aspects of field production
- Climate, irrigation, fertigation, pest management, people, crop types
- Manage procurement of resources, equipment, and supplies efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Hire, train, and supervise supporting staff as needed.
- Ensure timely and accurate operational and financial reporting to monitor performance and guide resource allocation.
- Evaluate, document, and refine growing practices and business processes for improved productivity and profitability.
- Maintain and enhance data and information systems for crop management and recordkeeping.
- Coordinate with landscaping teams to support maintenance and improvements across company properties.
- Lead marketing and sales of surplus production through local outlets.
- Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, horticulture, or a related field preferred.
- Proven experience managing greenhouse or small-scale agricultural operations.
- PRIVA/Ritter/Argus climate management system's experience would be extremely beneficial
- Strong technical growing expertise — hands-on capability is essential.
- Practical business acumen and ability to manage budgets, planning, and reporting.
- Passionate, curious, and resourceful — eager to innovate and solve challenges independently.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Compensation
Compensation will align with experience and technical capability, generally $50,000 to $75,000 annually, plus benefits.
We are open to creative or mutually beneficial arrangements that fit both the individual and the company’s needs.
Benefits: Morning Star offers a top-tier, comprehensive health plan, including medical, dental, and vision, and we pay the full monthly premiums for the Colleague and all eligible family members. The company also contributes to Colleagues' Health Savings Accounts. Year-round Colleagues are eligible to enroll in our 401K plan, with 4% match.
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