Vice President of Greenhouses
Lufa Farms
United States
Posted on Jan 4, 2025
Senior Management - VSL Offices
Full-time
Presence: On site
Contract position : No
Description
At Lufa Farms, we’re on a mission to build a better food system by growing food where people live and growing it responsibly. This led us to build the world’s first commercial rooftop greenhouse in 2011. Today, we operate six advanced urban farms, each designed with state-of-the-art technology and tailored for specific crop production:
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Ville Saint-Laurent - the world’s largest rooftop greenhouse specializing in hydroponic tomatoes and our first ever indoor farm employing a closed NFT system for leafy greens;
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Marché Central - producing cucumbers and bell peppers with advanced Ultra Clima Technology;
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Laval - focused on vining crops and also using the Ultra Clima Technology;
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Anjou - growing leafy greens in a closed NFT system;
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Ahuntsic - our first ever rooftop farm and a polyculture site for microgreens, greens, and eggplants.
Together, these facilities showcase innovation, sustainability, and excellence in urban agriculture.
We’re seeking a Vice President of Greenhouses to oversee the operations of all of our sites. This role requires a leader who can combine technical greenhouse growing expertise with strategic leadership to optimize crop yields, design new greenhouse facilities, and expand B2B sales opportunities. The VP of Greenhouses is responsible for the daily management of greenhouse production, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, and driving strategic initiatives to ensure operational success and financial performance.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned agricultural leader with strong expertise in plant science, crop nutrition, and greenhouse climate management. They possess an entrepreneurial mindset, excel at managing teams, and have a proven track record in designing high-performing greenhouse systems and developing B2B partnerships.
Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
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Oversee day-to-day operations across six greenhouse sites, ensuring optimal yields and resource efficiency for a variety of crops;
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Manage plant science activities, including greenhouse climates, crop nutrition, and pest control;
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Provide expertise in greenhouse system design, process improvements, and yield optimization.
Strategic Greenhouse Design
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Lead the design and development of new greenhouse facilities to support expansion and innovation;
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Integrate cutting-edge technologies and practices into greenhouse systems for efficiency and sustainability.
B2B Sales and Market Expansion
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Identify and develop B2B sales opportunities for crops grown across Lufa Farms’ greenhouses;
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Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to build strong partnerships and expand the customer base.
People & Team Management
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Build, mentor, and lead a diverse team across multiple greenhouse locations;
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Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, respect, and innovation.
Financial Oversight
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Own full accountability for the department’s P&L and manage KPIs;
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Drive profitability and ensure financial efficiency in all operations.
Sustainability & Quality
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Maintain compliance with environmental standards and uphold rigorous quality assurance for all products;
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Champion sustainable practices to reduce costs and enhance product quality.
Innovation
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Continuously explore and implement opportunities for innovation in processes and systems to enhance crop performance;
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Stay updated on the latest technological and scientific advancements in agriculture.
Requirements
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Proven experience in managing complex greenhouse farming operations with a focus on crop yields and system efficiency;
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Expertise in horticulture, agriculture, or greenhouse management, including strong knowledge of plant science and climate control systems;
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Demonstrated success in designing and implementing new greenhouse facilities;
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Strong track record in developing B2B sales strategies and partnerships;
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Exceptional leadership and people management skills;
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Strong knowledge of health and safety systems;
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Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills;
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Data-driven mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement;
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Confident decision-maker with a collaborative leadership style;
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Comfortable travelling regularly between greenhouse sites in Montreal;
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Proficiency in Google Suite or similar software applications.
Assets
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Knowledge of the latest technological and scientific advancements in agriculture or related fields;
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Bilingual (English and French preferred).
Schedule
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Full-time position with availability required outside regular hours or on weekends, as needed.
Compensation & Benefits:
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Salary to be determined based on experience and knowledge of the candidate;
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You’ll be eligible to participate in the firm’s health insurance, dental, and disability programs after completion of the probationary period (paid 50% by the employee and 50% by Lufa Farms);
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Access to TELUS Health Virtual Care (direct contact to health professionals by phone, video, or chat) and the Employee and Family Assistance Program (professional, short-term counseling, covering a broad range of interpersonal issues);
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30% discount on your Lufa Farms basket.