Crewperson, custom harvest LMIA requested

Company: Fehr Shredding Ltd

Location: Leamington, ON, Canada

Clean Professional Job Summary

The crewperson, custom harvest LMIA requested is a specialized agricultural operations role focused on the high-output harvesting environment of Southwestern Ontario. Employed by Fehr Shredding Ltd, the incumbent is responsible for the manual and mechanized processing of greenhouse and field crops, specifically bell peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, and tomatoes. This position is physically demanding and operates within a rural, fast-paced setting where precision and adherence to rigorous work logs are essential. The role is open to applicants requiring Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) support, reflecting the critical nature of this labor within the Canadian food supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Machinery Operation: Safely operate and perform basic maintenance on specialized farm equipment and harvesting machinery used in large-scale shredding and harvesting operations.

• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate daily work records and operational logs to ensure traceability and equipment performance monitoring.

• Crop Handling: Execute harvesting tasks for specific high-value crops (tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, and cucumbers) while maintaining quality standards.

• Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine cleaning and minor mechanical adjustments to machinery to prevent downtime in the field.

• Site Readiness: Coordinate with the team to set up and clear work sites across various rural locations, ensuring all tools and safety equipment are accounted for.

• Environmental Adaptation: Execute tasks efficiently under varying physical conditions, including high-heat greenhouse environments and outdoor all-weather field settings.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Education: No formal degree, certificate, or diploma is required; the focus is on practical capability and reliability.

• Technical Aptitude: Ability to operate heavy farm machinery; while experience is an asset, the company provides comprehensive on-the-job training.

• Physical Stamina: Capacity to handle a physically demanding workload involving extended periods of standing, bending, crouching, and kneeling.

• Coordination: Strong hand-eye coordination and attention to detail to ensure crop integrity during high-speed harvesting.

• Soft Skills: Must be a dedicated team player capable of working under pressure and following strict safety and operational protocols.

• Language: Basic communication skills to maintain logs and follow safety instructions in a fast-paced environment.

About the Company

Fehr Shredding Ltd is a specialized agricultural service provider based in Leamington, Ontario—the “Tomato Capital of Canada.” The company plays a vital role in the regional agricultural economy by providing custom harvesting and shredding services to the massive greenhouse clusters and field operations in Essex County. Operating primarily in rural settings, Fehr Shredding Ltd is known for its intensive seasonal operations and its commitment to integrating international labor through the LMIA process, ensuring that Southwestern Ontario’s multi-million dollar produce industry meets its harvest deadlines.

Market & Industry Context

Leamington represents the highest concentration of greenhouses in North America. The role of a crewperson is statistically vital to the Ontario economy, as the region produces a significant percentage of Canada’s vegetable exports. In 2026, the shift toward “custom harvesting” services allows individual farms to outsource the high-capital cost of specialized machinery to experts like Fehr Shredding Ltd. This role is a lynchpin in the “just-in-time” supply chain for perishable goods, where a delay of 24 hours can result in significant financial loss. Applicants should understand that they are entering a high-utilization industry that is fundamental to national food security.

Career Growth & Progression Path

• Entry Level (Crewperson): Focus on mastering equipment operation, crop-specific handling techniques, and log accuracy.

• Intermediate (Lead Crew/Operator): After 1–2 seasons, successful individuals may progress to lead specific crews, overseeing site-specific logistics and training new hires.

• Specialized Technician: Growth into mechanical maintenance roles, focusing on the repair and optimization of shredding and harvesting technology.

• Operations Management: Long-term opportunities include scheduling, logistics management, and overseeing LMIA compliance and labor relations for the broader team.

Interview Preparation Insights

1. Physical Readiness Assessment: Be prepared to discuss your experience working in challenging environments. The interviewer will look for evidence that you can handle “all-weather” conditions (dusty, wet, hot, and noisy).

2. Reliability Focus: Since this role involves flexible hours and early mornings, emphasize your history of punctuality and your ability to manage a non-traditional work schedule.

3. Safety Consciousness: Prepare to explain how you maintain focus during repetitive tasks. Safety in farm machinery operation is paramount, and “attention to detail” is a key metric for success.

4. Logistics & Documentation: Even without a degree, your ability to keep a clean, organized work log is vital. Mention any experience you have with record-keeping or following checklists.

Estimated Salary Insight

• Market Estimate Based on Similar Roles: In the Leamington agricultural sector, roles of this nature typically range from $16.55 to $19.00 per hour, often supplemented by significant overtime pay during peak harvest seasons.

• Benefits Package: This position includes a comprehensive health and dental plan, group insurance, and performance-based bonuses, which are highly competitive for the agricultural sector.

Work Environment & Location Insights

Leamington, ON, offers a unique professional landscape. The work is largely rural and involves traveling to various farm locations. Candidates must be comfortable with “dirty” work environments—this is a hands-on, outdoor, and greenhouse-based role. The local climate in Essex County can be humid and hot in the summer, which is amplified inside greenhouse structures. However, the community is highly multicultural and specifically geared toward supporting international agricultural workers, providing a robust local network for those arriving via the LMIA stream.

Compliance & Equal Opportunity Note

Fehr Shredding Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented groups and international applicants. This recruitment process adheres to all Canadian federal and provincial labor standards, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process for all local and foreign national candidates.

Operational & Environmental Data

Candidate Suitability Profile

• Resilience: Must be comfortable working under pressure in a fast-paced, “dirty” work environment.

• Reliability: Ability to handle early morning starts and significant overtime.

• Technical Aptitude: While no experience is required, the role involves the active operation and maintenance of farm equipment.

• Collaboration: Strong “Team Player” mentality for rural, multi-site operations.