POSITION SUMMARY:
The Greenhouse Manager is a highly skilled horticulturist responsible for managing all aspects of a commercial growing center operation and overseeing all plant production for retail/wholesale sales and the estate grounds, as well as large-scale forcing for the Philadelphia Flower Show. The Greenhouse Manager is responsible for the management and development of the growing center staff along with overseeing volunteers and interns. This position requires a keen attention to detail and excellent customer service, pricing, inventory management, organization and financial management skills.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Supervise Assistant Greenhouse Manager, full time growers, seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns
- Work closely with the Associate Director of Operation and Manager, Business and Administration in building and sustaining a viable commercial growing operation
- Develop and maintain strict growing and delivery standards for commercial accounts to ensure quality, timeliness and customer satisfaction
- Work with PHS Chief of Shows to develop an annual forcing plan for the Philadelphia Flower Show and ensure delivery in quality, quantity and timeliness against that plan
- Collaborate with PHS Public Landscapes and Pop Up Gardens team, among others, to build seasonal orders for fulfillment and ensure delivery in quality, quantity and timeliness against those orders
- In addition to being part of the team at Meadowbrook, the Greenhouse Manager serves as a resource to all of PHS and interacts with internal customers across PHS on a regular basis.
- Utilize comprehensive knowledge and experience with Integrated Pest Management, ensuring that all Worker Protection Standards are met and compliance with all local, state and federal statutes related to pesticides
- Build strategic personal development plans for growing center staff to improve their individual knowledge base around growing skills, crop management and plant forcing
- Ensure the growing center is adequately equipped and maintained to meet its needs and demand in raw materials, fertilizers, equipment and other ancillary elements
- Provide support to Meadowbrook Farm’s grounds team in growing for their needs
- Maintain current inventory records, develop competitive pricing, and keep accurate records within Meadowbrook Farm’s enterprise management software system
- Work with MBF management team to build an annual budget, monitor performance against that budget and make corrections as needed through the year to meet expectations
- Make presentations in current horticulture practices to and lead tours for PHS members, volunteers, garden clubs, community/educational groups, et al.
- Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, floriculture or a related degree
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in forcing and growing a wide variety of plants in a commercial greenhouse environment
- Detail orientation with strong organizational and communication skills
- Knowledge of the key industry trends to ensure that the growing center is on the leading edge horticulturally
- Keen knowledge of annuals, perennials, tropicals, trees, and shrubs
- Ability to correctly complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
- Dedication to quality outcomes with a strong customer service focus
- Ability to work independently and lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances
- Computer Skills – Excel, Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications; previous POS or inventory management program beneficial
- Working knowledge of WPS and Pennsylvania State Pesticide Laws. Individual pesticide license mandatory.
- Some evening and weekend work is required , including assisting with special events
Job Type: Full-time
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