Seed Cleaning and Conditioning Plant Manager

In general, seed cleaning plant managers:

• unload grain, collect samples and record types and weights 
• operate cleaning (conditioning) equipment, bin grain and load trucks, or supervise staff who perform these functions
• discuss the services to be provided with producers
• identify weed seed and supervise purity control
• arrange for outside seed testing (for example, germination)
• maintain the plant and equipment, and arrange for repairs or upgrades
• maintain financial and operational records
• stay up to date with industry safety training
• perform job hazard assessment
• provide sales and customer service for retail seed sales and seed treatments
• arrange training and supervise plant personnel
• implement management policies and promote the interests of the seed cleaning plant.

Working conditions around seed plants can be dusty and noisy, but technological improvements have reduced this problem. Some of the work involves manual labour but the amount of lifting required varies with the type of facility. At plants that bag seed, plant managers may be required to lift bags weighing up to 20 kilograms. Minimal lifting is required at plants that do not bag seed. Safety precautions must be observed to avoid injury when operating machinery and equipment.

Seed cleaning and conditioning plant managers must be comfortable with heights, variations in temperature and in some cases wear personal protective equipment.

Hours of work may be flexible.

Seed cleaning plant managers need the following characteristics:

• initiative and self-discipline
• good organizational skills
• honesty and integrity
• the ability to communicate effectively with employees, contractors and clients 
• the ability to work well with others
• good problem solving and decision making skills
• mechanical skills
• the ability to pay close attention to details
• willingness to take training and upgrade skills as needed.

They should enjoy operate machinery and equipment, taking a methodical approach to coordinating and maintaining records, and negotiating with farmers and farm managers.

Seed cleaning plant managers usually start as operators in seed cleaning plants. With on-the-job experience, they may be promoted to managing operator or manager.

Experienced seed cleaning plant managers may become grain elevator managers or representatives for agribusiness companies (for example, chemical or seed sales representatives) or move into agronomy.

Seed cleaning plant managers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8252: Agricultural and Related Service Contractors and Managers. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Agriculture
• Forestry and Logging with Support Services
• Information, Culture and Recreation.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Seed Industry Partnership website: www.seed.ab.ca

Canadian Seed Institute website: www.csi-ics.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.