Material Application Specialist (Farm Machinery Operator)

Highline's Vision and Values:

Passionately nourish people, the environment and the community, through embracing our core values, which include:

We do the right thing, always. We lead the way. We are fanatical about quality. We are transparent in our relationships. We always consider the human element. We embrace diversity and inclusion.

General Duties:

• Supervising the fill/ empty team and/or tunnels team, and ensuring their tasks are completed correctly

• Assign and delegate tasks for the team

• Ensuring each associate doing tasks has been trained and is able to operate/ complete that task safely

• Ensuring the quality and density of the fill

• Ensuring the beds are properly filled

• Coordinate with the entire growing team to update on daily process regarding fill/ empty

• Communicating with the Tunnel Operator to ensure daily operations are met

• Assisting the grower on scheduling of associates to ensure proper manpower

• Set up machinery

• Operates the Head Filler (Casing Line – W)

• Operates Pulling Winch

• Operates Skid Steer and Forklift

• Operate and/or ensure proper operation of Cassette Machine to move the raw compost material from tunnel to tunnel

• Operate and/or ensure proper operation of the Emptying Winch, pulling the compost out of the tunnel for spawning and transfer of the spawned compost to growing rooms

• Operate the fancom system, as needed

• Organizes the assignment of work duties to the daily crew (Farm Hand) workers

• Training associates on how to operate machinery properly and safely, such as head filler, pulling winch, and emptying winch

• Ensures the mushroom compost is filled into the growing beds and ensures growing beds are emptied post-harvest

• Ensures addition of mushroom spawn to compost material

• Ensures addition of supplements to compost

• Washing/cleaning and proper maintenance of Tunnels machinery and premises

• Check ammonia levels, as needed

• Driving farm vehicles, such as wagons, casing trucks, or dump trucks

• General hygiene practices: cleaning aisles, shovelling, squeegee, etc.

• Scheduling and organizing the team, as needed

• Makes decisions on operations within the tunnels when needed

• Maintains strict hygiene at all times

• Performs any other duties that may be assigned

• Embrace and support the Highline culture and values, acting as a brand ambassador at all times

• Interact with others in a manner that promotes respect, confidentiality and dignity

• Develop and actively foster an engaged work force, displaying professionalism at all times

• Adheres to the Safety Policies, including use of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment

• Reports unsafe conditions immediately to the supervisor, direct report or member of safety team

• Reports all incidents, injuries and near misses to the supervisor, direct report or Safety Advocate immediately

• Cooperates in the Early and Safe Return to Work Program if an injury or medical illness requires accommodation.

• Follows all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) as trained

• Adheres to all quality standards per customer specifications

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age.

• Must be eligible to work in Canada without restrictions.

• No Language Requirements.

1). Core Work Experience

• Mushroom Farm Operations: Minimum 1–2 years of experience working in a commercial mushroom cultivation facility, specifically handling Phase 3 (fully colonized) compost.

• Filling & Casing Experience: Direct experience operating or working alongside head-filling machines, winches, and conveyor systems used to load compost and casing onto shelving nets or trays.

• Compost Added at Casing (CAC-ing): Prior experience with CAC-ing techniques, including understanding how to properly layer, mix, or inoculate casing soil with colonized compost.

2). Technical & Machinery Skills

• Heavy Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating forklifts, skid steers, or telehandlers to move heavy bulk Phase 3 compost blocks or bunkers into the filling area.

• Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to set up, calibrate, clean, and perform basic troubleshooting on filling/casing machinery to ensure even compost depth and uniform casing thickness (5–6 cm).

• Sanitation Practices: Strong understanding of strict bio-security and hygiene protocols to prevent the cross-contamination of Phase 3 compost during the transfer process (e.g., proper tool sanitization, clean boots, avoiding pests/molds).

3). Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Stamina & Strength: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (23 kg) repeatedly and stand, bend, or pull pulling-nets for extended periods.

• Environment Adaptability: Comfortable working in humid, dusty, or high-CO₂ environments (using proper PPE like respirators or masks during filling when dust/spores are present).

Hours of Work:

• 5 to 6 days / week

• Approximately 30 to 60 hours / week; 8 to 14 hours / day

• Public Holidays / Weekends as scheduled

• Daily shift end times vary based on production needs

Earnings:

• $23.65 Hourly

• Shift Premium of $0.60 per hour for working on the afternoon shift

Benefits:

• Extended health, vision and dental for associates and their eligible family members

• Life insurance and dependent life insurance

• Short term disability

• Annual safety shoe allowance / reimbursement

• Pension matching after 1 year

• Overtime eligible

• Discretionary Bonus, years of service increases and annual wage grid reviews

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Vacancies: 2

Locations of Work:

• 506 Mersea Rd. 5, Leamington, ON N8H 3V5

• 2646 Division Rd., Kingsville, ON N9Y 2E5

How to Apply:

• Through careers.highlinemushrooms.com,

• On Indeed or Job Bank Canada

• In person at 506 Mersea Rd. 5, Leamington, ON N8H 3V5

Highline encourages applications from all qualified candidates. When requested, Highline will accommodate people with disabilities at all stages of the recruitment, assessment and hiring process.

By submitting your application, you consent to being contacted by a representative of Highline via email, phone or text message regarding your application and potential career opportunities.

Please note that artificial intelligence tools are used to assist our recruitment team in screening, summarizing and sorting applicant profiles.

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