Nursery General Manager
Position Overview
The Plant Nursery & General Manager oversees daily operations including plant production, wholesale and retail sales, ordering and procurement, staff leadership, customer experience, inventory control, and overall business performance. This role blends horticultural expertise with strong organizational and managerial skills to ensure efficient, profitable, and high‑quality nursery operations.
Key Responsibilities
Nursery Operations & Plant Care
- Manage propagation, growing, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and plant health.
- Monitor pests, diseases, and environmental stress; implement treatment plans.
- Maintain greenhouse environments (temperature, humidity, airflow).
- Ensure proper labeling, spacing, and merchandising.
- Oversee seasonal production schedules and crop planning.
Retail Customer Experience
- Maintain a welcoming, knowledgeable retail environment.
- Train staff to assist customers with plant selection and care.
- Oversee store layout, signage, and product presentation.
- Handle customer concerns, special orders, and landscape contractor needs.
Wholesale Customer Management
- Build and maintain relationships with landscapers, garden centers, municipalities, and commercial clients.
- Prepare wholesale pricing sheets, availability lists, and seasonal order forms.
- Coordinate large orders, contract growing, and delivery logistics.
- Manage invoicing, payment tracking, and account communication.
- Forecast wholesale demand and align production schedules.
Ordering & Procurement
- Manage purchasing for:
- Plants (annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, natives)
- Fountains & water features
- Pottery & planters
- Statuary & garden art
- Bulk stone, gravel, mulch
- Seasonal décor & garden accessories
- Source vendors, negotiate pricing, and coordinate deliveries.
- Maintain purchase records, invoices, and receiving logs.
- Ensure timely ordering based on seasonality and inventory levels.
- Oversee freight, unloading, quality checks, and display stocking.
Staff Leadership & Training
- Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff and seasonal workers.
- Schedule labor efficiently based on workload and seasonal demand.
- Conduct performance reviews and maintain a positive team culture.
- Ensure safety protocols and proper equipment use.
Business & Administrative Management
- Oversee sales, budgeting, payroll, and daily financial operations.
- Monitor KPIs: revenue, labor costs, inventory turnover, waste.
- Develop marketing strategies, promotions, and seasonal campaigns.
- Ensure compliance with regulations, licensing, and safety standards.
- Maintain clean, organized workspaces and customer areas.
Facilities & Equipment
- Oversee maintenance of greenhouses, irrigation, vehicles, and tools.
- Coordinate repairs, upgrades, and preventative maintenance.
- Ensure safe operation of machinery.
Qualifications
- Strong horticultural knowledge (annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, pests, diseases).
- 3–5+ years nursery/greenhouse/horticulture experience.
- 2+ years management or leadership experience.
- Wholesale and procurement experience preferred.
- Ability to lift 40–50 lbs and work outdoors in varying weather.
- Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
- Experience with POS systems, inventory software, and basic business operations.
Salary and benefits will be negotiated based on experience.
Core Competencies
- Plant health & growing expertise
- Leadership & team development
- Wholesale & retail sales management
- Ordering & vendor coordination
- Customer service excellence
- Operational efficiency
- Strategic planning
- Financial awareness
- Seasonal adaptability
Work Environment
Physical labor, outdoor work, weekend availability during peak seasons, and fast‑paced spring operations.
Pay: From $70,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
