Grower Specialist - Central
Sun Gro Horticulture, Topeka, KS, United States
Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.
Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. The primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.
Role Grower Specialist
Location Covered -Central (WV, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA). Remote position requiring 50% travel
Job Summary Reporting to the Grower Services Manager, the successful candidate will support growers through claim investigation, root cause determination, corrective action, and resolution while partnering with Sales, Quality, Operations, and R&D to deliver differentiated growing solutions and innovation. This role provides technical expertise, customer education, sales support, competitive product evaluation, and quality support to manufacturing facilities while ensuring customer satisfaction and product performance.
Benefits
Health Insurance (includes teledoc, virtual health, FSA, HCSA & other benefits)
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Health Spending Account
Employee Support and Mental Wellness
Short term disability
401k Match
Paid vacation
Floating days
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Engagement Events
Awards and Recognition
Tuition Reimbursement
Service Awards
Employee Perks & Discounts
Job Responsibilities
Provide sales support through travel with sales teams and technical product training
Develop and deliver product knowledge training for sales, distributors, and growers
Review and investigate GC&I claims, determine root cause, and implement corrective actions
Partner with Quality and Sales to resolve escalated quality issues impacting customer satisfaction
Assist Quality team with developing and maintaining product specifications and formulations
Support evaluation and qualification of current and new raw materials
Validate vendor and manufacturing capability to meet specifications
Collaborate with Sales and R&D on innovation and new product development
Participate in competitive product evaluation and testing with Sales, Operations, and R&D
Support regional raw material sourcing initiatives to reduce cost while maintaining quality
Provide educational training to internal and external customers
Deliver technical and quality support to manufacturing facilities
General housekeeping duties
Additional duties as assigned by Supervisory staff
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Science or related field (MS or PhD preferred)
Minimum five years of experience in the horticulture industry, with emphasis on greenhouse and nursery production and mix production site experience
Strong knowledge of horticulture, greenhouse production, growing media, and plant growth
Understanding of statistics and experimental design
Strong public speaking and presentation skills
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, sales, and analytical skills
Strong fact‑based decision‑making skills
Ability to establish plans and execute effectively
Demonstrated change leadership and adaptability
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, digital photography, Internet, and email
Flexible and adaptable with strong organizational skills
Fluent in verbal and written English
Ability to follow direction and specific instructions
Good communication skills
Ability to safely perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds on a routine basis
Comfortable with standing for extended periods of time
Must be able to work at heights and in confined spaces
Must be able to walk and/or stand 90% of the shift
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Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. The primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.
Role Grower Specialist
Location Covered -Central (WV, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA). Remote position requiring 50% travel
Job Summary Reporting to the Grower Services Manager, the successful candidate will support growers through claim investigation, root cause determination, corrective action, and resolution while partnering with Sales, Quality, Operations, and R&D to deliver differentiated growing solutions and innovation. This role provides technical expertise, customer education, sales support, competitive product evaluation, and quality support to manufacturing facilities while ensuring customer satisfaction and product performance.
Benefits
Health Insurance (includes teledoc, virtual health, FSA, HCSA & other benefits)
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Health Spending Account
Employee Support and Mental Wellness
Short term disability
401k Match
Paid vacation
Floating days
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Engagement Events
Awards and Recognition
Tuition Reimbursement
Service Awards
Employee Perks & Discounts
Job Responsibilities
Provide sales support through travel with sales teams and technical product training
Develop and deliver product knowledge training for sales, distributors, and growers
Review and investigate GC&I claims, determine root cause, and implement corrective actions
Partner with Quality and Sales to resolve escalated quality issues impacting customer satisfaction
Assist Quality team with developing and maintaining product specifications and formulations
Support evaluation and qualification of current and new raw materials
Validate vendor and manufacturing capability to meet specifications
Collaborate with Sales and R&D on innovation and new product development
Participate in competitive product evaluation and testing with Sales, Operations, and R&D
Support regional raw material sourcing initiatives to reduce cost while maintaining quality
Provide educational training to internal and external customers
Deliver technical and quality support to manufacturing facilities
General housekeeping duties
Additional duties as assigned by Supervisory staff
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Science or related field (MS or PhD preferred)
Minimum five years of experience in the horticulture industry, with emphasis on greenhouse and nursery production and mix production site experience
Strong knowledge of horticulture, greenhouse production, growing media, and plant growth
Understanding of statistics and experimental design
Strong public speaking and presentation skills
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, sales, and analytical skills
Strong fact‑based decision‑making skills
Ability to establish plans and execute effectively
Demonstrated change leadership and adaptability
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, digital photography, Internet, and email
Flexible and adaptable with strong organizational skills
Fluent in verbal and written English
Ability to follow direction and specific instructions
Good communication skills
Ability to safely perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds on a routine basis
Comfortable with standing for extended periods of time
Must be able to work at heights and in confined spaces
Must be able to walk and/or stand 90% of the shift
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