Nursery and Greenhouse Operations Manager

Dig Plant Company is seeking an experienced Nursery & Greenhouse Operations Manager to lead our startup young plant production operation. This is a full-time, on-site position at our ornamental plant nursery & greenhouse facility in Greeleyville, South Carolina. The Manager will oversee all facets of our production operation, from staff recruitment and hiring to production planning and implementation.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starting nursery and greenhouse professional with management experience and a deep understanding of plant propagation and production; someone that is not afraid of hard work and is eager to pitch in, get dirty, or otherwise do what is necessary to accomplish daily tasks and achieve our overarching goals.

The Company

Dig Plant Company is a New Plant Introductions company that specializes in the commercialization and promotion of improved ornamental plant and turfgrass cultivars developed by plant breeders around the world. We work with turf farms, nurseries, and greenhouses throughout the United States and abroad to bring these new and unique plants to market. After more than 20 years in the plant introduction space, Dig is now expanding into young plant production (plugs and liners) at our farm in Greeleyville, South Carolina.

The Position

Position Title:Nursery & Greenhouse Operations ManagerPosition Type:Full-Time, salaried position with paid time off.Job Location:This is an onsite position at our farm in Greeleyville, SC.Work Schedule (Full Time):Monday through Friday, 830a to 430p; occasional weekend and/or after-hours during peak season and/or in the event of emergencies or special events. Schedule may vary from later shifts during cooler months to earlier shifts during warmer months.Direct Report:The General Manager (owner) Supervisory Responsibilities:The Manager will be responsible for the recruitment, training, management, and retention of all production and field team members.

With assistance from the General Manager and Farm Manager, the Nursery & Greenhouse Operations Manager will manage all facets of our new young plant propagation and production operation: all aspects of ornamental plant propagation and production, staff recruitment/training/management, purchasing, budgeting and forecasting, facilities maintenance, construction of nursery and greenhouse structures as the need arises, and all other tasks related to operating a successful nursery and greenhouse enterprise. This is a startup operation, so the manager will need to be very ‘hands on’ until such time as additional field staff are recruited into the operation.

This position is primarily outdoors but will also require work within an office environment for administrative duties, which will necessitate the use of computers and standard office equipment. Fluency to read, write, and understand the English language is required. Must be able to work in all outdoor elements, including but not limited to the weather elements, dust, and allergens. The position requires moderate physical ability for long periods of standing, squatting, lifting, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, kneeling, and twisting on a regular basis to fulfill essential duties. Ability to use fine motor skills, such as pinching, squeezing, and pulling. Candidate may be required to enter confined spaces for certain tasks as well as be required to work at heights over 5 feet.

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Planning and implementation of production plans to include crop selection, budgeting, and forecasting
• Planning, implementation, and management of fertility programs and integrated pest management strategies
• Establish best management practices for all crops while monitoring and evaluating the greenhouse production processes for quality and efficiency.
• Management of growing conditions and environmental controls in the greenhouses
• Recruit and hire greenhouse staff
• Direct, guide, and educate greenhouse staff, i.e. establishing daily assignments and priorities for all nursery and greenhouse staff
• Create and maintain accurate and organized records, files, and inventories
• Expand job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, maintaining personal and professional networks, and joining professional organizations, where appropriate
• Responsible for creating and/or managing within a budget, including business enterprise planning, capital expenditure planning and program development
• Oversee or otherwise perform the following tasks:
• Plant propagation, potting, and maintenance of plants in the greenhouses, outdoor growing pads, and fields
• Assess plant health daily to identify any disease issues, insect infestations, or other abnormalities (i.e. crop scouting)
• Application of plant health and pest control chemical products in accordance with government regulations and company safety procedures
• Facilities landscape maintenance: planting, mowing, pruning, spraying, and irrigating
• Basic facilities maintenance: cleaning work areas, maintaining grounds, and landscaping
• Handling and moving containerized plants; prepare and package plants for shipments
• Operating some machinery and power equipment
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of turf and ornamental plant trials
• Assist in the construction and maintenance of nursery and greenhouse structures and systems

Minimum Employment Requirements:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have your own transportation
• Good verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Able to complete repeated standing tasks for long periods of time
• Flexibility regarding hours and overall work schedule
• Able to handle physical activity such as lifting, loading, and unloading large plants and equipment
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.; 35 lbs. repetitively without assistance
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently as the task requires
• Qualified applicants may be subject to background checks and drug testing

Specific Job Qualifications:

• An associates degree or higher in the horticultural sciences, or a related field of study. Formal education requirements may be negated for candidates with more than 2 years of nursery and greenhouse management experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in wholesale nursery and greenhouse propagation and production
• Minimum of 2 years in a management role in wholesale nursery and greenhouse propagation and production
• Experience working with basic science concepts related to ornamental horticulture
• Strong organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills
• Organized, creative, adaptable, and detail-oriented
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic
• MUST be willing to lead by example, to assist in or otherwise perform what may be considered menial tasks when and where needed, and to ‘get your hands dirty’ if that is what is required to complete certain tasks or otherwise achieve our goals.
• Comfortable with financial data and budgeting
• Basic understanding of and proficiency with the Microsoft Office software suite.
• The ability to operate machinery and power equipment

Compensation

Salary: $55,000 to $75,000 annually; paid monthly.

Compensation will be commensurate with education, experience, and skillset.

Benefits:

• Annual performance bonuses
• Retirement benefits with company-matched contributions
• Healthcare compensation
• Generous paid time off
• Continuing education opportunities
• Opportunities to advance into other roles within the company.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $75,000