Nursery Supervisor

The Bruce Company is proud to be a local, family-run landscaping company that’s been in business for 70 years. We are passionate about achieving incredible results for our customers and offer an exciting and collaborative company culture where our employees grow along with our company.

Why Choose The Bruce Company?

• Enjoy work/life balance, weekly pay, and year-round work!
• Team-oriented work environment to help you succeed in your career.
• Work in one of the largest locally owned nurseries that has been around since 1968.
• Establish and develop your career with Southern Wisconsin’s leader in landscaping!

Position Summary

The Nursery Supervisor oversees daily tasks of the nursery team and supports field operations at the Belleville/Verona, WI location. This role also performs Assistant Snow Route Manager duties during winter as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership and Task Management: Leads the nursery team, assigning daily tasks for nursery production under the guidance of the Warehouse and Logistics Manager or Plant and Nursery Quality Inspector.
• Horticulture Guidance: Utilizes horticulture expertise to make recommendations for nursery operations and mentor team members in horticulture practices.
• Order Preparation: Tags plants for tree spade and wholesale nursery orders.
• Harvest Planning: Manages the planning and organization of nursery stock harvests and allocation of liners in the fields.
• Field Production Tasks: Assists with daily nursery tasks, such as digging, planting, weeding, and staking; trains staff on techniques and timing.
• Equipment Operation: Operates trucks, tractors, sprayers, and skid steer loaders with attachments, ensuring proper handling and maintenance.
• Equipment Tracking: Communicates with Shop and Warehouse Managers regarding equipment hours, maintenance needs, and submits necessary reports.
• Inventory Management: Assists in inventory counts and updates field stock records.
• Customer Order Coordination: Works closely with the Purchasing and Sales Teams to ensure timely availability of products.
• Strategic Communication: Regularly updates Warehouse and Logistics Manager and leadership on strategic plans, revenue, and expense status, offering operational improvements as needed.
• Supply Orders: Coordinates with Purchasing Manager to place timely orders for nursery supplies.
• Staffing and Recruitment: Projects staffing needs, partners with HR, and participates in the interview and selection of new nursery staff.
• Spray Program Implementation: Oversees spray program implementation under guidance from the Plant and Nursery Quality Inspector.
• Continuous Learning: Partners with the Plant and Nursery Quality Inspector to stay informed on insect and disease management, new technology, and techniques applicable to nursery production.
• Winter Operations: Assists with snow removal as Assistant Snow Route Manager during winter as needed.
• Safety Compliance: Adheres to company safety policies and procedures at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Staff Supervision: Directly oversees Nursery Staff, with support from the IC, Distribution Manager, and Human Resources, handling hiring, performance reviews, promotions, and discipline.
• Team Development: Responsible for the training, productivity, and efficiency of the nursery staff.
• Feedback and Training: Provides mentorship, constructive feedback, and training to foster a positive, team-oriented work environment.
• Safety Leadership: Promotes a culture of safety, ensuring staff adherence to safety protocols.
• Timecard Management: Ensures timecards are timely and accurate for payroll processing.
• Task Delegation: Delegates tasks effectively to team members, offering guidance and feedback.
• Team Environment: Resolves team issues promptly to maintain a collaborative atmosphere.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor Work: Primarily performed outdoors across all seasons.
• Weather Exposure: Exposure to inclement weather, including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures.
• Uneven Terrain: Work often performed on uneven ground conditions (e.g., mud, snow, rocks).
• Noise Levels: Moderate noise level; hearing protection required for equipment operation.
• Chemical Exposure: Exposure to chemicals and fertilizers is common.

Qualifications

Successful performance requires demonstrated ability in essential duties, with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Effective collaboration with company personnel, regulatory agencies, consultants, and other contractors is essential.

Education, Certification, and License

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture or similar field, or equivalent experience (minimum of 3 years).
• Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Pesticide Applicator License: Nursery and Greenhouse 3.1 license required within 3 months of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Experience

• Supervisory Experience: Minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role preferred.
• Nursery Experience: Previous nursery experience is required.
• Equipment Operation: Experience operating loaders, bobcats, tractors, and other nursery equipment preferred.

Specific Requirements

• Horticultural Knowledge: Strong knowledge of plants, insects, diseases, and pruning.
• Team-Oriented Communication: Ability to communicate effectively in English; bilingual (English/Spanish) is helpful.

Physical Requirements

• Mobility: Regularly stands, walks, squats, and kneels throughout the day.
• Lifting: Frequently lifts up to 50 pounds and occasionally pushes/pulls weights of up to 50 pounds.
• Reaching: Full arm extension above head and in front.
• Balance: Good balance is necessary for work on uneven terrain.

Job Specifications

• Position Type: Full-time, year-round (40-55 hours per week, approximately 50 weeks per year).
• Work Schedule: Standard hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM during peak season (April to November); some Saturdays as needed.
• Winter Hours: Vary based on snow removal and winter nursery duties (December through March).
• Overtime: May be required as workload dictates.

Benefits

The Bruce Company offers a competitive hourly wage including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement benefits, paid vacation, holidays, and more coupled with a challenging and team-oriented work environment to help you succeed in your career.

Join our team of outdoor living experts and experience for yourself why many of our employees have chosen to make their life-long careers at The Bruce Company. Visit us at www.brucecompany.com to learn more.

The Bruce Company is proud to be an Affirmative-Action Equal Opportunity Employer.