Assistant Grower - Hydroponic Specialist

Have you ever marveled at the potential of high-tech, vertical indoor farms? Did you know there’s one right here in Paso Robles? Welcome to Zeste Farms—a trailblazer in the future of agriculture. By joining our team as an Assistant Grower, you’ll become part of an innovative journey that’s reshaping how food is grown and shared.

At Zeste Farms, we cultivate living herbs with cutting-edge automation, using 90% less water than traditional farming methods. Our mission is to feed all socio-economic classes sustainably while making each farming cycle more efficient and reliable. Designed with the best of greenhouse and indoor technologies, our farm embodies the perfect blend of innovation, cost-effectiveness, and environmental stewardship.

Step into the future of farming with Zeste Farms, where your contributions will grow more than just crops—they’ll grow possibilities. Be part of something truly transformative.

We are seeking an Assistant Grower - Hydroponic Specialist to join our team in Paso Robles, CA.

The assistant grower will support the lead grower in shipping cut and living basil. This will involve managing and optimizing the efficient processes for growing herbs in our hydroponic vertical farming system. Zeste Farms in Paso Robles is a 5000 s.f. facility that represents a prototype, small-footprint grow facility with commercial customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Grow and Ship Crops to Meet Customer Demand: Support the Lead Grower in maintaining consistently high yields of premium-quality leafy greens and herbs. Ensure timely and accurate shipment of crops to meet customer demands.
• Master and Continuously Improve Growing Processes at Efficient Cycle Times: (Training provided)
  • Seeding
  • Planting
  • Harvesting and Packaging
  • Kitting Customer Orders: Prepare cases and pallets with accurate labeling and stacking configurations. Move and load products into cargo vehicles.
  • Cleaning: Execute cleanliness protocols to maintain a “certified food safety” environment.
  • Update Manuals: Update process and food safety manual as improvements are made.
• Training New Employees on Growing Processes: Effectively train new employees to meet yield goals and cycle times. Provide ongoing support and mentorship to foster a collaborative team environment.
• Food Safety: Execute food safety practices as directed by the Lead Grower, following the company's Food Safety Manual and daily checklists.
• Technology Understanding: Learn and operate the proprietary Anaconda Farming System. Once trained, train new employees. Analyze trends and alarms to maintain growing conditions.
• Quality Control: Measure and document the quality of salable living plants, including yield in ounces per plant. Use yield data to demonstrate continuous improvement.
• Cost Control: Demonstrate continuous improvement in task times and efficiency.
• Preventative Maintenance: Support the Lead Grower in performing preventative maintenance on all equipment and systems as required. Ensure all tools and machinery are kept in optimal working condition.

Qualifications:

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effectively conveying information and collaborating with team members.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address challenges and improve processes.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in monitoring plant health, identifying issues, and ensuring quality standards.
• Customer Focus: Ability to understand and meet the needs of customers.
• Microsoft Office Applications: Excel and Word.

Preferred:

• BA or BS degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science or related field or equivalent experience.
• Sustainability Practices: Knowledge of sustainable farming practices and commitment to environmental stewardship.
• Experience in controlled environment agriculture

NOTE: Candidate must possess a “whatever it takes” attitude and perform various tasks not listed here to meet company objectives.