[Latest 2024 / Plant Factory Job Openings] A plant factory manager shares insights on the work, rewards, and challenges

Hello everyone! I’m Shohei.

Plant factories, attracting attention as “the future of agriculture,” are rapidly gaining prominence thanks to their ability to provide a stable supply of high-quality vegetables independent of weather conditions.

Plant factory managers are the backbone of this growth.

I’ve spent over 10 years working on the frontlines as a plant factory manager and manager in charge of training these professionals.

This article will guide you through the role of a plant factory manager, explaining the work involved, necessary skills, and the rewards of this career path.

For those who are wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of plant factories, you can also refer to this article:

What does a Plant Factory Manager do?

As the name suggests, a plant factory manager is responsible for managing the overall operations of the plant factory. They oversee a range of tasks, including crop management and on-site supervision, to ensure the smooth running of the entire facility.

You could call them the on-site command center for creating the “future of farming” that is a plant factory.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of their responsibilities:

Crop management: Crafting an ideal world for plants

Plant factories offer a truly “ideal world” for plants, free from the influence of sunlight and weather. However, it’s up to the plant factory manager to create this paradise.

I entered the industry as a complete novice. I had no prior experience with plant factories, agriculture, or production management. The wide range of knowledge required initially presented a challenge, and I’m still constantly learning.

For example…

• Production planning and execution: Planning involves determining which varieties of crops will be cultivated, the scale of production, and when these activities will take place throughout the year. This meticulous planning considers market demand, selling prices, cultivation periods, and the capacity of the plant factory.
• Growth environment control: The control of the growth environment is the lifeblood of any plant factory. Managers maintain optimal conditions for plant growth by regulating temperature, humidity, light, CO2 concentration, and wind speed. This involves constant monitoring of growth conditions, data-driven analysis, experienced judgment, and rapid response.
  Key Point: Understanding “why” a particular environmental setting is optimal is paramount. This includes comprehending the optimal light wavelengths and exposure durations for plant photosynthesis, the influence of temperature and humidity on plant growth rates and morphology, and other scientific principles.
• Nutrient solution management: In plant factories that employ hydroponics, managing the nutrient solution – the source of plant nutrition – is critical. Nutrient solution concentration and pH levels are measured regularly and adjusted to suit the growth stages of the plants. Maintaining a balance of essential nutrients like nitrates, phosphates, and potassium is crucial, as is addressing any deficiencies in trace elements like calcium, magnesium, and iron.
  Key Point: Nutrient solution management requires an intuitive feel honed through experience. Closely observe the color and shape of plant leaves, growth rates, and other signs to make necessary adjustments to the nutrient solution composition. This is where the “art” of long-standing experience comes into play.
• Hygiene management: In a plant factory, an outbreak of pests or diseases can have disastrous consequences for the entire facility. Therefore, stringent hygiene management is essential. This includes thorough cleaning and disinfection of the facility, along with hygiene training for employees. Measures are also required to prevent the entry of pests.
  Key Point: Early detection and control are essential for any abnormalities. Developing a keen eye for observing even the slightest changes in plants during daily monitoring is crucial. Furthermore, it is essential to be well-versed in appropriate response measures to minimize damage if diseases or pests do occur.

You might think, “This sounds difficult…”

But don’t worry.

This website offers content systematically summarizing on-site know-how specifically for people like you.

To ensure the stable operation of a plant factory, enhancing on-site expertise is essential. The following content will be incredibly valuable in achieving this goal.

On-site management: Nurturing the finest vegetables with a team

Plant factories are not something one person can manage alone. All staff members work together to achieve the shared goal of producing high-quality vegetables, covering all stages from seeding to harvesting and shipping.

• Equipment inspection and maintenance: Plant factories utilize an array of equipment, including lighting systems, air conditioning units, water supply and drainage systems, and control systems. These are essential to the core functioning of the plant factory, and regular inspections and proper maintenance are indispensable for ensuring stable operation.
  Key Point: Equipment malfunctions can significantly impact production. It’s crucial to be aware of the state of the equipment and to be able to detect abnormalities. Having the skills to handle simple repairs independently is also desirable.
• Troubleshooting: Unforeseen issues can arise in plant factories. Plant factory managers need to respond calmly and quickly to various issues, such as equipment breakdowns, power outages, and pest or disease outbreaks. This requires accurate judgment and the ability to implement the best solutions.
  Key Point: When trouble strikes, leadership and calm judgment are essential. Managers must provide clear instructions to staff and ensure responses are coordinated without confusion. Investigating root causes and implementing preventive measures are also important.
• Work instructions and progress management: Managers evaluate the experience, skills, and aptitudes of each staff member and assign appropriate tasks. By continually monitoring overall work progress and providing support when needed, they encourage efficient task completion for the entire team.
  Key Point: Maintaining open communication with each staff member and sharing work progress and challenges is essential. Supporting individual skill development also contributes to the overall growth of the team.
• Work environment development: It’s also vital for plant factory managers to create a safe and comfortable work environment for their staff. This involves implementing safety measures to prevent workplace accidents, as well as creating an atmosphere that fosters a sense of purpose, allows employees to excel, and promotes open communication.
  Key Point: Employee satisfaction significantly impacts productivity and quality improvement. Creating a supportive work environment is crucial for boosting employee motivation.
• Quality control: Vegetables produced in plant factories must meet stringent quality standards. Therefore, it’s essential to establish a rigorous control system that involves thorough inspections of vegetables before shipping and refusing to ship any produce that fails to meet the required standards.
  Key Point: Quality control is vital for maintaining the credibility of the plant factory. A sense of responsibility for upholding quality management practices is necessary to ensure that consumers can enjoy vegetables with complete peace of mind.

Even with advancements in automation, plant factories still require a significant human workforce. Large-scale facilities often employ over 100 people. Individuals skilled in collaboration and cooperation are highly sought after in these environments.

Plant management: Cultivating the plant factory as a business

Plant factories cannot thrive on dreams and aspirations alone. To ensure stable profits and sustainable growth, a business-oriented perspective is essential.

• Production cost management: Plant factory operations involve a range of costs, including electricity, water, labor, and fertilizers. Thorough cost monitoring, eliminating waste, and continuously seeking improvement measures are indispensable for boosting profitability.
  Key Point: Electricity costs account for a significant portion of plant factory operating expenses. Therefore, energy-saving measures are a key focus. Considering LED lighting installation or implementing solar power solutions are crucial for cost reduction.
• Sales strategy development: Securing a stable sales channel is crucial for plant factory management. This involves establishing partnerships with supermarkets, restaurants, and food processing companies, as well as pursuing direct sales through company-owned e-commerce platforms. Strategic sales planning, including market penetration, pricing strategies, and promotional activities, aims to achieve revenue targets.
  Key Point: The key lies in effectively communicating the added value of plant-factory-grown vegetables to customers. Highlighting strengths such as “safety and security,” “high quality,” and “stable supply” helps to differentiate plant factory produce from other options.
• Market research and analysis: Consumer needs and market trends are in constant flux. Therefore, it’s crucial to conduct market research and competitive analysis to determine the vegetables that consumers desire and the sales strategies employed by competitors. This proactive approach ensures the identification of new business opportunities.
  Key Point: Product development aligned with market needs, such as introducing new varieties or developing processed products, can be an effective strategy for establishing a competitive edge.
• Liaison with relevant agencies: Plant factory operations involve interactions with various agencies, including obtaining permits and approvals from government authorities and negotiating contracts with suppliers. Maintaining good relationships with these agencies is essential for smooth business operations.
  Key Point: Cultivating strong relationships with government agencies and local residents is crucial for facilitating business activities. Regular communication and building trust are essential.

Who is suitable to be a Plant Factory Manager?

We’ve thoroughly discussed the responsibilities of a plant factory manager.

For those of you who are intrigued by “the future of working in plant factories,” next, we’ll delve into the characteristics of individuals well-suited to this role and the skills they need to excel.

Possessing these qualities significantly enhances your potential for success as a plant factory manager.

Characteristics of successful plant factory managers

• Loves plants and is interested in agriculture: Plant factory managers thrive on experiencing the joy of plant growth and having faith in their potential. They demonstrate a willingness to learn and explore new varieties and cultivation methods.
• Strong sense of responsibility and perseverance: Plant growth fluctuates daily. Unexpected problems can arise. Managers must possess a commitment to fulfilling responsibilities and the perseverance to see tasks through to the end.
• Excellent communication skills: Plant factories involve teamwork, making communication skills essential. Managers must establish strong connections with staff members and foster harmonious relationships.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership: At times, managers need to lead and guide their team. They must make appropriate decisions based on the situation and lead their team towards achieving common goals.
• Possessing a business-oriented mindset: Plant factories are businesses. Managers should be cost-conscious and resourceful in finding ways to generate revenue.

Required skills and experience

• Knowledge and experience in plant cultivation: Understanding the environmental conditions necessary for plant growth and relevant cultivation techniques is essential. Knowledge gained from agricultural high schools or universities or prior agricultural experience can be valuable assets.
• Knowledge and experience in equipment management: Plant factories utilize diverse equipment. Understanding equipment inspection and maintenance, as well as possessing the skills to handle simple repairs, is highly advantageous.
• Knowledge and experience in hygiene management: As a food-processing facility, hygiene management is paramount in plant factories. Holding certifications like a food sanitation supervisor is a significant advantage.
• Computer skills: Plant factory managers often engage in data analysis and input into production management systems. Basic computer skills are essential.
• Management experience: Experience in staff development, team motivation management, and other leadership roles is beneficial for aspiring leaders.

These skills and experience can be advantageous during the selection process for plant factory manager positions.

However, it’s not necessary to master all of these skills and experiences from the start. You can acquire them gradually while working.

To facilitate this process, make sure to utilize the resources provided on this website!

Rewards of being a Plant Factory Manager

The work of a plant factory manager is far from easy. However, it offers significant rewards and a sense of fulfillment that are hard to find in other fields.

• Seeing the vegetables you nurtured with your own hands bring smiles to dinner tables: The joy of knowing that the vegetables you cultivated with care are displayed in supermarkets and ultimately reach someone’s dinner table is the greatest reward of a plant factory manager.
• Overcoming challenges and achieving significant results as a united team: Plant factories involve teamwork. Goals that one person can’t achieve alone can be accomplished through collective efforts. The satisfaction of achieving goals as a team is unparalleled.
• Contributing to society through the transformative power of plant factories: Plant factories hold the potential to contribute to solving food and environmental issues, representing the future of agriculture. Working as a plant factory manager means making a contribution to realizing a sustainable society.
• Constantly challenging yourself and pursuing growth: The field of plant factories is constantly evolving. New technologies and varieties are constantly emerging, offering opportunities for continuous learning and personal growth.

Experiencing firsthand the ability to shape the future from the frontlines is the greatest appeal of the plant factory manager role.

However, based on my experiences across numerous facilities, I’ve witnessed some cases that didn’t go as planned.

You can read more about these situations in this article:

Career paths for Plant Factory Managers

Career paths for plant factory managers are not limited to a single track. As you gain experience, various career paths open up.

• Aspiring to become a specialist: Specializing in crop management, you can master the cultivation techniques for specific varieties or explore the development of novel cultivation methods.
• Transitioning to a management role: You can progress into management positions, overseeing multiple plant factories or taking on responsibility for the entire production department.
• Becoming independent or starting a business: Leveraging your acquired knowledge and experience, you have the option of establishing your own plant factory.
• Moving to related industries: You can use the knowledge and experience gained in plant factories to pursue job opportunities in related sectors, such as agricultural supply companies or food processing firms.

Working in a plant factory can expand your future career options.

What about plant factory loss rates?

While precise statistical data isn’t readily available, generally, plant factories are estimated to have a loss rate of about 70% due to high initial investment costs and ongoing operating expenses.

Why are plant factories prone to losses?

The key factors contributing to plant factory losses include:

• High initial and operating costs: Creating a closed environment, utilizing LED lighting, and installing air conditioning systems, among other factors, result in significantly higher initial costs compared to conventional agriculture. Ongoing expenses like electricity costs can also be substantial.
• Depressed selling prices: Plant factory produce often faces challenges in achieving competitive selling prices compared to conventionally grown vegetables, leading to a decline in price competitiveness.
• Lack of experience: Since plant factories are a relatively new field, challenges arise from inadequate cultivation know-how and the difficulty in training personnel.

Why are plant factories increasing despite high loss rates?

Despite facing numerous challenges, the continued growth of plant factories is driven by the following factors:

• Market growth: In recent years, the increasing awareness of food safety and security concerns, coupled with growing interest in environmental issues, has led to an upsurge in demand for vegetables grown in plant factories.
• Technological innovation: Advancements in LED lighting technology and automation in cultivation systems have facilitated cost reductions and efficiency improvements in production.
• Government support: Government and local authorities are increasingly providing subsidies for the construction and operation of plant factories.

Based on these factors, plant factories are expected to continue their growth trajectory.