Cultivation Manager

Plantible•Eldorado, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cultivation Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and coordinating greenhouse cultivation operations at our Ranchito facility in Eldorado, Texas. Keys to success include ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient biomass production by maintaining stable growth conditions, including pH control, nutrient dosing, water quality, and environmental parameters, to meet business objectives related to yield, quality, and productivity. This role acts as the first-line leader on shift within Cultivation, driving adherence to SOPs, safety standards, and cultivation protocols, while supporting real-time troubleshooting, data accuracy, and team performance. The Cultivation Manager is the primary decision-maker during the shift, responsible for managing greenhouse operations and responding to biological variability across systems and strains. This leader plays a critical role in collaboration with R&D, Operations, and Engineering teams to continuously optimize cultivation performance, improve consistency, and scale biomass production effectively.

Requirements

Technical foundation with strong hands-on capability, through a degree in agronomy, biology, bioprocessing, engineering, or equivalent experience operating and troubleshooting water-based or controlled environment cultivation systems.
Proven experience (3–6+ years) in controlled environment agriculture, aquaculture, bioprocessing, or similar operations, with direct exposure to systems such as nutrient dosing, pH control, water circulation, and biomass cultivation.
Demonstrated shift leadership experience, with the ability to direct operators, prioritize tasks, and drive execution under dynamic and biologically variable production conditions.
Strong process understanding and troubleshooting skills, including the ability to identify and respond to deviations in key parameters (e.g., pH, nutrient concentrations, water quality, flow/circulation performance) and support root cause investigations.
Experience working in GMP-regulated or controlled environments, with strict adherence to SOPs, food safety standards, and audit-ready behaviors.
High discipline in data recording and integrity, including accurate documentation of greenhouse conditions, deviation reporting, and verification of operational records in alignment with ALCOA principles.
Hands-on experience with operational systems and controls (e.g., dosing systems, pumps, basic automation, or HMI/SCADA), with the ability to monitor and adjust processes in real time.
Ability to read and interpret SOPs, process flow diagrams, and system layouts, translating them into correct field execution within greenhouse and water systems.
Strong operational mindset in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to adapt to changing production needs, strain variability, and real-time troubleshooting demands.
Commitment to safety and compliance, including consistent use of PPE and understanding of critical safety practices (chemical handling, safe access, wet environment risks).
Physical capability to operate in an industrial and greenhouse environment, including standing for extended periods, working in wet conditions, and handling materials as required.

Responsibilities

Lead safe and compliant greenhouse operations by enforcing GMP, PPE, SOPs, and safety standards, proactively identifying risks, and driving a zero-incident culture across all shifts.
Execute cultivation plans to meet biomass yield, growth rate, and quality targets, ensuring stability across all greenhouse systems (e.g., water management, nutrient dosing, circulation, and strain performance).
Own cultivation performance during the shift, monitoring key process parameters (e.g., pH, nutrient concentrations, water clarity, flow/circulation conditions), identifying deviations early, and leading real-time troubleshooting with Maintenance, FSQ, R&D, and Engineering.
Drive biological consistency and process discipline, ensuring proper sampling, tracking of growth performance, and escalation of gaps (e.g., uneven GH performance, nutrient imbalance, pH drift, or contamination risks).
Lead and coordinate shift execution, assigning priorities, guiding Cultivation Operators, and ensuring strong accountability in safety, quality, and biomass production performance.
Ensure data accuracy and integrity, including proper documentation of greenhouse conditions, dosing activities, deviations, and verification of operator entries, while identifying improvements in SOPs and operational records.
Coordinate and execute critical sampling activities, including biomass, pH, nutrient verification, and water quality checks, ensuring alignment with FSQ requirements and cultivation objectives.
Maintain deep operational knowledge of greenhouse systems, including water distribution, dosing systems, pumps, piping, and environmental conditions, enabling effective operation, diagnostics, and troubleshooting under dynamic biological conditions.
Identify and escalate operational risks and inefficiencies, including system variability, equipment issues, and constraints impacting growth performance, harvest timing, or yield.
Support and implement continuous improvement initiatives, including CAPA, cultivation optimization, and Management of Change (MOC), with a focus on increasing yield, stability, and greenhouse reliability.
Ensure clear communication and disciplined shift handoffs, maintaining continuity across cultivation cycles and alignment with DSP production plans and maintenance activities.

Benefits

Competitive health and wellness benefits
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Discretionary Unlimited PTO Program
Paid Holidays
401k Program
Career Stipend
Career development and growth opportunities
Working in a rapidly growing, flexible and entrepreneurial environment
Team building and company-wide events
Financial support with your relocation, if necessary, ensuring a smooth transition
And of course, lots of beautiful land for outdoor activities!