Crop Protection Manager

Job Overview

Location: 700 Farm 7, Warwick, MD 21912

Type: Full Time

Education: 4-Year Degree

Salary Range: $60,000 - $70,000

Title: Crop Protection Manager

Are you passionate about plant health and integrated pest management? Join our dynamic nursery team as a Crop Protection Manager, where your expertise will directly impact the health, quality, and success of our crops. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‑on professional who enjoys diagnosing plant health challenges, developing preventative strategies, and collaborating with growers and production teams to achieve exceptional plant quality.

Responsibilities

• Respond to all plant‑related problems found by scouts or any other worker in the nursery, including inspection, sampling, and symptom analysis.
• Identify common fungal diseases and determine causes, using microscopy when necessary.
• Send cases that cannot be tested in‑house or that are of major economic importance to Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory.
• Develop spray programs and communicate IPM practices with growers to mitigate future issues.
• Select chemicals and plan rotations, ensuring safe application.
• Order materials such as lime for the potting shed and manage inventory.
• Collect well water usage data with supervisors and submit to NJDEP.
• Confirm that all herbicide and pesticide applicators are appropriately trained, certified, and equipped with PPE.
• Represent the department at inspections and audits with NJDA, NJDEP, and other agencies.

Qualifications

• Degree in Plant Pathology or a related field OR a minimum of five years of hands‑on greenhouse and field growing experience in a leadership or decision‑making capacity.
• Experience diagnosing pest, disease, and abiotic plant health issues.
• Experience identifying fungal structures with a microscope.
• Knowledge of ornamental insect pests and effective management practices.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and ability to develop crop‑specific management plans.
• Functional experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to work weekends as business needs require.
• Self‑motivated with ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills preferred but not required.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurately diagnosing plant diseases, pest infestations, and abiotic disorders through field inspections and laboratory evaluations.
• Developing proactive disease prevention and treatment programs that protect crop quality and reduce losses.
• Monitoring crop health and identifying issues before they significantly impact production.
• Collecting and analyzing plant, soil, and environmental samples to support data‑driven decisions.
• Partnering with growers and production teams to implement effective Integrated Pest Management strategies.
• Providing technical expertise and recommendations that improve plant health and production outcomes.
• Preparing technical reports, research summaries, and presentations as needed.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment and accurate diagnostic and regulatory records.
• Collaborating with horticulturists and agricultural professionals to solve complex plant health challenges.
• Staying current on advances in plant pathology, crop protection, and agricultural technology.

Why Join Bell Nursery

• Opportunity to directly influence crop health and quality across a large‑scale nursery operation.
• Work in a role that combines science, diagnostics, leadership, and hands‑on field experience.
• Collaborate with experienced growers, horticulturists, and production leaders.
• Lead meaningful crop protection initiatives that support company growth and operational success.
• Apply your expertise in an environment that values innovation, problem‑solving, and continuous improvement.
• Make a visible impact on the success of one of the industry's leading nursery operations.

Physical Demands

Must be able to bend, twist, turn, climb, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the workday.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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