Grower Support / Research and Development Specialist

Primary Responsibilities:

Trial Work & Grower Support

• Execute horticultural trials aligned with Willoway R D priorities
• Support new plant introductions through coordinated trialing and evaluation
• Identify biotic and abiotic stressors through field observation, sampling, and external analysis
• Collect soil, media, and leachate samples to support fertility and substrate decisions Data & Evaluation
• Own trial data collection, accuracy, and organization
• Evaluate trial results and communicate findings to growers, R D, and leadership
• Maintain clear documentation to support repeatability and decision-making Trial Gardens & and Trial Section
• Own maintenance and organization of Trial Section and trial garden spaces
• Develop trial gardens that support R D goals and Sales & Marketing needs
• Ensure gardens are presentation-ready for internal use and tours Collaboration
• Work closely with Grower Support, R D, Sales, and Marketing teams
• Share insights in a clear, practical way that supports production decisions
• Support continuous improvement through observation and feedback

Additional Responsibilities:

Skills:

(something that can be learned in the position/has been learned in a prior position)  Execute and maintain horticultural trials  Collect, document, and organize trial and plant data  Evaluate plant performance and summarize findings  Perform soil, media, and leachate sampling  Maintain trial garden and evaluation spaces  Communicate observations and results to growers and managers

Knowledge:

(education, certifications, etc)  Associate's degree or higher in Horticultural Science or a related field (required)  Working knowledge of plant growth, nutrition, and cultural practices  Familiarity with common plant pests, diseases, and environmental stressors  Experience in nursery, greenhouse, trial, or production environments preferred  Pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain one (preferred)

Abilities:

(Need to come to the job with the ability

• cannot be learned at this point in the career)  Strong ability to observe plants and notice subtle differences or changes  Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned trials  Ability to stay organized and manage multiple priorities  Ability to communicate clearly and professionally across teams  Ability to work hands-on in outdoor and production environments Work Environment (% in office/ % outside, physical requirements, travel requirements):  Approx.

25-30% office / 70-75% greenhouse, field, and garden  Regular work outdoors and in production environments in varying weather conditions  Physical requirements include standing and walking for extended periods, bending, lifting, and carrying up to ~50 lbs, and performing hands ‑ on plant work  Exposure to typical horticultural conditions (soil, water, fertilizers, plant material, pests) Work schedule: (Days of the week / hours per day / hours per year) 

Days:

Monday-Friday 

Hours:

Typically 8-9 hours per day (hours may flex seasonally) 

Total:

~2,200 hours per year  Additional hours may be required during peak trial, planting, or evaluation periods; occasional early starts during high ‑ season work