Location: Windsor, ON

About Crop Defenders Ltd.: Crop Defenders Ltd. is a pioneering biological crop protection company dedicated to producing and supplying ecological alternatives to pesticides for consumable crop growers. Our mission is to improve the lives of millions by enabling growers to produce ecologically grown crops that are safer for farmers, consumers, and the ecosystem. By continuously innovating in product development, optimizing our operations, and forging trusted partnerships, we help growers worldwide adopt sustainable practices that advance food security and environmental health.

Job Purpose:

The Senior IPM Scout plays a lead role in helping greenhouse clients achieve pest outbreak- free crops by executing advanced scouting strategies, guiding junior scouts, and supporting complex biological control programs. This role contributes to strategic IPM decisions by delivering accurate crop health assessments, identifying subtle or complex issues, and serving as a key link between field intelligence and greenhouse decision-makers.

Key Responsibilities:

Scouting & Bio Application:

• Conduct advanced greenhouse inspections with a high degree of accuracy, identifying a wide range of pests, diseases, and physiological issues.
• Efficiently scout large crop areas and apply biological control agents to targeted hotspots.
• Guide junior scouts on best practices and validate findings to ensure data accuracy.
• Evaluate bio application success and make recommendations for improvements based on conditions and outcomes.

Pest & Crop Health Data Reporting:

• Submit detailed scouting maps and reports, capturing observations with precision and clarity.
• Communicate complex findings and trends to IPM Consultants, including potential causes and contributing factors.
• Capture high-quality reference images for internal records and training use.

Diagnosis & Strategy Support:

• Identify and differentiate between pest damage, disease symptoms, environmental stress, and nutritional deficiencies.
• Provide informed input on ecological strategies including banker plants, trap plants, and microclimate impacts.
• Assist in validating IPM recommendations and adjusting strategies in collaboration with the IPM Consulting team.

Trialing & Customer Engagement:

• Participate in field trials and assist in evaluating effectiveness of IPM strategies.
• Communicate findings and insights with growers in a clear and professional manner.
• Build and maintain trust with growers through consistent performance and knowledgeable interaction.

Forecasting & Planning:

• Anticipate pest and beneficial population dynamics over the short-term and help inform preventative planning.
• Collaborate closely with the IPM team to adjust scouting and treatment strategies based on seasonal and crop-specific conditions.
• Maintain awareness of facility layout and crop structure to enhance efficiency and coverage.

Key Criteria/Requirements:

• Education or strong background in entomology, horticulture, or related agricultural sciences.
• 3-4+ years of proven experience in greenhouse IPM scouting or biological control programs.
• High level of observational skill and pest/beneficial identification accuracy.
• Able to scout 10–15 km per day in a physically demanding environment.
• Comfortable mentoring and guiding junior scouts in field-based learning.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to client locations.

Core Values:

A special note before you apply:

We are replacing hierarchy with self-managed teams where authority is distributed instead of centralized. Before applying, please reflect on whether this structure aligns with your personal values. We are building a culture of high engagement and performance at Crop Defenders. If you are driven by ownership, collaboration, and accountability, you’ll thrive here. If not, we respect your honesty in recognizing this is not the right fit.

Ideal candidates will align with these values:

1. Truthful and trustworthy

2. Reliable and dependable

3. Humble and courageous

4. Collaborative and team-oriented

5. Altruistic and selfless in priorities

6. Committed to high standards

7. Embraces change

8. Process- and improvement-minded

9. Empowers others

10. Driven and productive

11. Mindful of impact on team energy

12. Focused on creating value

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and dental coverage
• Opportunities for professional development through training and certification
• A collaborative, mission-driven environment
• The chance to contribute to global food security through sustainable agriculture

Join Our Team:

If you’re an experienced scout ready to lead in the field, support others, and contribute to ecological crop protection at a higher level, we invite you to apply for the Senior IPM Scout role at Crop Defenders Ltd.