Flower Grower

Draca Farm Pty Ltd Flower Grower (ANZSCO 121212 – Flower Grower) Full-time/Permanent $80,000 – $85,000 per annum (Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.) Draca Farm Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced Flower Grower to oversee and carry out flower and foliage production, from planting and cultivation through to harvesting for commercial supply. Duties and responsibilities: *Plan and manage flower and foliage production schedules, taking into account seasonal conditions, crop growth cycles, customer orders and market demand. *Select suitable flower varieties, seeds, bulbs, seedlings and plant stock, and coordinate the purchase of fertilisers, growing media and other production supplies. *Organise and undertake soil preparation, propagation, planting and transplanting to establish healthy crops and achieve production targets. *Develop and implement irrigation and fertilisation programs, using soil testing, moisture monitoring and crop inspections to maintain suitable growing conditions. *Monitor plant development and undertake pruning, thinning, de-budding and other cultivation activities to improve flower quality and crop yield. *Identify and manage pests, weeds and plant diseases, applying appropriate treatments and preventative measures in accordance with safe chemical handling practices. *Monitor temperature, humidity, ventilation and light conditions in protected growing areas and adjust controls to support healthy plant growth. *Plan and supervise harvesting, ensuring flowers and foliage are collected at the appropriate stage of maturity to meet customer specifications. *Coordinate grading, bunching, packaging, storage and dispatch to preserve product freshness, minimise damage and meet delivery requirements. *Maintain production records, including planting dates, crop treatments, harvest volumes, quality results and wastage, and use these records to improve future production. *Monitor customer requirements and seasonal demand, and coordinate supply arrangements with wholesalers, retailers and other buyers. *Prepare production budgets, monitor expenditure and manage supplies to maintain efficient and commercially viable growing operations. *Train and supervise farm staff and contractors, allocate daily tasks and monitor work quality and productivity. *Coordinate the maintenance of growing structures, machinery, tools, irrigation systems and storage facilities. *Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety, biosecurity, environmental and applicable chemical use requirements. Qualifications and Experience: *A relevant AQF bachelor's degree or higher qualification in Horticulture, Agricultural Science, Agronomy or a closely related field. *At least one year of relevant experience in commercial flower growing is essential. *At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. *Sound knowledge of plant propagation, crop nutrition, irrigation, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling. *Ability to organise production activities, supervise staff and work independently.