Hello everyone! I’m Shohei.
Plant factories are attracting attention as “the future of agriculture.”
They have been increasing in prominence in recent years due to their ability to produce vegetables regardless of the weather.
And supporting these plant factories are the staff working in plant factories.
I have been working on the front lines of the field for over 10 years as a plant factory manager and as a manager who trains other managers.
In this article, I will explain the necessary qualifications, skills, and job duties of a plant factory manager in an easy-to-understand manner for those interested in plant factories.
By the way, for those who are wondering what the merits and demerits of plant factories are in the first place, please read the following article as well.
What kind of job is a plant factory manager?
As the name suggests, a plant factory manager is someone who manages the overall operation of the plant factory. They handle a wide range of tasks centered on crop management and on-site management, and they oversee the entire factory.
Personally, I want many people to know about plant factories.
So, I’m writing about my experiences on this site, and I’ve also written articles like the following:
Reading them together will give you a more accurate understanding of the work involved in a plant factory.
Now, what kind of jobs are there in a plant factory?
I will explain the specific job duties.
[Plant Factory Jobs] 1. Crop Management
Plant factories are truly a “paradise” for plants, unaffected by sunlight or weather. However, creating this paradise depends on the skills of the plant factory manager.
I entered the industry as a complete beginner.
I had no experience in plant factories, agriculture, or production management. It was tough at first because there was so much knowledge required, and I’m still learning.
For example…
- Production Planning and Execution:
Plan when, which varieties, and on what scale to produce throughout the year. Develop and execute detailed plans while considering market demand, sales prices, cultivation periods, and the capacity of the plant factory. - Environmental Control: Controlling the growing environment is the lifeline of a plant factory. Maintain optimal conditions for plant growth, including temperature, humidity, light, CO2 concentration, and wind speed. Daily observation of the growing conditions and data-based analysis, as well as experience-based judgment, are required.
- Point: It is especially important to understand “why” that environmental setting is optimal. For example, you need to understand the optimal light wavelengths and irradiation times to promote plant photosynthesis, and how temperature and humidity affect plant growth rates and morphology, based on scientific evidence.
- Nutrient Solution Management: In plant factories that use hydroponics, nutrient solution management, which is the source of nutrition for plants, is very important. Regularly measure the concentration and pH of the nutrient solution and adjust it appropriately according to the growth stage of the plants. It is important to maintain the balance of essential nutrients such as nitrate nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potassium, and also to pay attention to the lack of micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.
- Point: Experience-based intuition is also important for nutrient solution management. Carefully observe the color and shape of the plant’s leaves and the growth speed, and finely adjust the composition of the nutrient solution if necessary. This is where the “skills of a master” gained from many years of experience come into play.
- Hygiene Management: In a plant factory, if pests or diseases occur, they can cause devastating damage to the entire factory. Therefore, thorough hygiene management is required. In addition to thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the factory, it is also important to educate employees about hygiene. It is also necessary to take measures to prevent pests from entering.
- Point: Early detection and countermeasures in the event of an abnormality are important. Through daily observation, an eye for spotting even slight changes in plants is required. Also, in the unlikely event that a disease or pest occurs, you need to be familiar with appropriate measures to minimize the damage.
When you hear these stories, you might think, “That sounds difficult…”
But don’t worry.
Our site provides content that systematically summarizes the know-how of the site for such people.
We provide plant factory managers with know-how to improve profitability.
If you are thinking, “I want to improve the site!”, please check the following content.
[Plant Factory Jobs] 2. On-Site Management
Plant factories cannot be established by one person alone. All staff members, who are responsible for various processes from sowing to harvesting and shipping, cooperate to achieve the common goal of producing high-quality vegetables.
- Equipment Inspection and Maintenance: Plant factories have various equipment, such as lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, water supply and drainage equipment, and control systems. These equipment play an important role as the heart of the plant factory, and regular inspection and proper maintenance are essential to maintain stable operation.
- Point: Equipment failure can have a significant impact on production. It is important to understand the condition of the equipment on a regular basis and be able to notice abnormalities. In addition, the ability to handle simple repairs yourself is also required.
- Troubleshooting: Unexpected troubles can occur in plant factories. It is necessary to respond calmly and quickly to various troubles such as equipment failure, power outages, and the occurrence of pests and diseases. It is necessary to accurately assess the situation and take the best possible measures.
- Point: Leadership and calm judgment are required in the event of a trouble. It is necessary to give accurate instructions to employees and proceed with the response without confusion. It is also important to investigate the cause and take measures to prevent recurrence.
- Work Instructions and Progress Management: Determine the experience, skills, and aptitude of each staff member and assign appropriate tasks. By constantly grasping the progress of the entire work and providing support as necessary, the efficient execution of the entire team is promoted.
- Point: It is important to communicate closely with each staff member and share the progress of work and issues. In addition, by supporting individual skill improvement, we aim to improve the level of the entire team.
- Improvement of the Working Environment: Creating an environment where staff can work safely and comfortably is also an important role of the plant factory manager. In addition to taking safety measures to prevent industrial accidents, we aim to create a comfortable workplace environment where employees feel motivated and can maximize their abilities.
- Point: Employee satisfaction has a significant impact on productivity and quality improvement. It is important to increase employee motivation by creating a comfortable working environment.
- Quality Control: Vegetables produced in plant factories must meet strict quality standards. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly check the quality of vegetables before shipping and establish a strict management system that does not ship those that do not meet the standards.
- Point: Quality control is very important to maintain the reliability of plant factories. An attitude of tackling quality control with a sense of responsibility is required so that consumers can eat with peace of mind.
Even though automation is progressing in plant factories, there is still a lot of work that requires human hands.
In large-scale sites, it is not uncommon for there to be more than 100 employees.
If you are skilled at cooperating and collaborating with others, you should be able to play an active role on site.
[Plant Factory Jobs] 3. Factory Management
Plant factories cannot be established with dreams and ideals alone.
In order to secure stable profits and grow as a sustainable business, a management perspective is essential.
- Production Cost Management: Various costs are incurred in the operation of a plant factory, such as electricity bills, water bills, labor costs, and fertilizer costs. It is essential to grasp these costs firmly, constantly consider and implement improvement measures to eliminate waste, in order to improve profitability.
- Point: In particular, electricity bills account for a large proportion of the operating costs of plant factories, so energy saving measures are an important theme. It is necessary to consider introducing LED lighting and solar power generation to reduce costs.
- Sales Strategy Planning: Securing stable sales channels is very important in plant factory management. In addition to concluding contracts with supermarkets, restaurants, and food processing companies, we will plan strategic sales plans such as developing sales channels, setting prices, and conducting promotional activities at our own EC site, aiming to achieve profit targets.
- Point: It is important to convey the added value of vegetables produced in plant factories to customers. It is necessary to differentiate ourselves from other vegetables by appealing to strengths such as “safety and security,” “high quality,” and “stable supply.”
- Market Research and Analysis: Consumer needs and market trends are constantly changing. Therefore, it is important to constantly analyze what vegetables consumers are looking for and what strategies competitors are using to sell through market research and competitive analysis, and to quickly seize new business opportunities.
- Point: Developing products that anticipate market needs, such as introducing new varieties and developing processed products, is an effective way to build a competitive advantage.
- Negotiations with Relevant Organizations: The operation of a plant factory involves interactions with various related organizations, such as applying for permits and licenses to administrative agencies and negotiating contracts with business partners. It is necessary to build good relationships with these related organizations and maintain smooth business operations.
- Point: Building good relationships with administrative agencies and local residents is very important to proceed with the business smoothly. It is important to communicate closely on a regular basis and build a relationship of trust.
People Who Are Suited for Plant Factories! Required Skills and Qualifications
So far, I have explained the job duties.
Next, what kind of people are suited for plant factory managers? I will explain the necessary skills and qualifications.
People who have these elements are likely to be able to play an active role as plant factory managers.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Skills Related to Plant Cultivation:
Knowledge of environmental conditions necessary for plant growth and cultivation techniques is essential. Knowledge learned at agricultural high schools or agricultural universities, or agricultural experience, can be used in the business. - Equipment Management Skills:
Various equipment is used in plant factories. Knowledge of equipment inspection and maintenance, and the ability to perform simple repairs, will be valuable. - Hygiene Management Skills:
Since it is a factory that handles food, hygiene management is very important. It would be even better if you have qualifications such as a food hygiene manager qualification. - Computer Skills:
Since there are many tasks that use computers, such as data analysis and inputting into the production management system, basic computer skills are essential. - Management Experience:
If you have management experience, such as training staff and managing the motivation of the entire team, you will be able to play an active role as a leader.
These skills and experience will be advantageous in the recruitment process for plant factory managers.
Regarding qualifications, you do not need any special qualifications for entry-level jobs. However, it is advantageous to have the knowledge and skills mentioned above.
However, you do not need to master these skills from the beginning. It is enough to acquire them while working.
To that end, please make good use of the content provided on this site!
- What about plant factory loss rates?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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