About me.
James Boivin leads the product department within Growcer and is responsible for the design and development of Growcer’s modular farm offering which allows for locally grow fresh to be produced year-round. To date, James has increased the reliability, efficiency, and yield performance of the farms enabling growers to serve 5M+ servings of local, nutritious greens coast to coast. Prior to his role at Growcer, James had a decade of experience in the engineering consulting industry focusing heavily on process and machine design projects.
James graduated from the University of Ottawa with a mechanical engineering degree and moved straight into working in product development with local startups. He has worked in a large variety of fields including chemical recycling, consumer goods, contract engineering and now agriculture. With a drive to unleash the potential in a team/organization, James is a multifaceted leader specializing in operations and product development. He strives to deliver creative solutions that exemplify a balance between out of the box thinking and sound industry knowledge. This is achieved by creating a team which focuses on strengths and promotes passion.
James is at his best when working with a broad group of stakeholders to ensure actions align with overall corporate objectives. He thrives in a collaborative environment anchored on honest, respectful, and open communication. He listens with a goal to understand and solve problems by asking questions and creative thinking. He focuses on clearing the path for my teams while ensuring customer focus and is data driven for evidence-based decision making. James has a positive, inclusive, can-do approach seeking win-win for all stakeholders.
Experience.
The Growcer Inc.
June 2020- Current
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT Led the product department through a time of rapid expansion and the development of a new core CEA product line. Coordinated with all other departments to validate system design, unit economics and overall product market fit. Supported and maintained all existing product lines and built out a team to manage logistics, procurement and manufacturing.
Oversaw the management of all external design contractors as well as our contract manufacturing partners in Canada and China. Built out partnerships with universities through NSERC funding and built research partnerships with key equipment suppliers. Led and managed department strategies, schedules, and annual budgets. Developed and tested department operating procedures and optimized monthly to streamline operations allowing us to develop, deploy and support multiple product lines with a lean team structure.JRB Industrial Inc.
Oct.2017 - Jan. 2021
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT Managed the daily operations of the company, produced sales leads and completed and reviewed all engineering deliverables. Created working relationships with many local contractors and other engineering firms and strived to provide out of the box solutions and deliver piece of mind to our clients. Our services included Process and Mechanical engineering, Machine and skid fabrication, OEM Equipment Integration & Startup and Validation
JRB Industrial Clients: Bite Beauty, Advonex International, Greenfield Biofuels, NRC (Emissions Laboratory), Swagelok Canada, Ingredion, Clay Valley Farms, CMM & VPC Group
mack global engineering
sept.2013 - sept. 2019
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Primary mechanical contract engineer with P&G at their Brockville location. Was responsible for all aspect of projects including conception, feasibility studies and finally to detailed engineering and commissioning. All projects required coordination with various engineering disciplines, customer project managers and installation contractors.
• Managed client schedules, costs and expectations for all projects
• Developed process/utilities piping and ducting designs
• Reviewed design with client safety, R&D and maintenance departments
• Completed bid packages including engineering information documents and technical drawings
• Engineered and design mechanical modifications to packaging equipment and conveyor systemsCHEMCHAMP
Jan 2011 - sept. 2013
MECHANICAL DESIGNER Focused on product development and establishing manufacturing procedures for solvent recycling systems. Research of existing technologies and development for new applications accompanied by analysis and 3D modelling.
• Developed products from initial conception through too product release and manufacturing • Completed BVOAs for components, based on the companies’ equipment rental strategy • Designed suites of accessories for products currently on the market • Reviewed designs with the sales team to outline operational limits and safety / client requirementsCore values.
EXCELLENCE
Expect the best from yourself, remove obstacles, inspire, and support others, embrace diversity, and celebrate success
COMMITMENT
Deliver results, be accountable, work as a team, continuously improve and grow, communicate effectively
INNOVATION
Master the science and process, create a better way, find a better solution, and push the envelope
INTEGRITY
Innovation is not just a buzzword, it's myDNA
Emphasizing the importance of innovation and how it is a fundamental aspect of the company's culture
Customer satisfaction is a top priority
Highlighting the focus on providing excellent customer service and meeting the needs of clients
Quality is never an accident
Emphasizing the importance of quality in all aspects of my operations and the dedication to ensuring that excellence is achieved consistently