Job Summary
Position title: Associate, Nursery. Location: Punjab - Nursery / Field Locations. Job Type: Regular, Full-Time. Role overview: We are looking for an Associate, Nursery to support the technical supervision and day-to-day management of nursery production. The role will help ensure that healthy, high-quality planting material is produced in line with approved species-wise production plans and plantation requirements. You will support nursery SOP implementation, plant health management, inventory monitoring, quality control, documentation, and close coordination with Plantation and Operations teams.
Responsibilities
- Manage Nursery Production Plan and supervise day-to-day nursery production activities.
- Monitor seed sowing, germination, propagation, transplanting, shifting, hardening, and plant development.
- Ensure species-wise production is carried out according to approved production plans and appropriate nursery practices.
- Monitor nursery capacity utilization and identify production bottlenecks.
- Maintain Plant Health & Quality Regularly monitor plant health, growth, mortality, pests, and diseases, and recommend preventive or corrective measures.
- Monitor irrigation, fertilization, nutrient management, and plant protection activities.
- Implement plant grading and quality standards before dispatch, ensuring only healthy and plantation-ready plants are released.
- Implement Nursery SOPs across production activities and ensure staff follow standardized technical practices.
- Identify gaps in existing SOPs and recommend improvements.
- Support the development of species-specific production protocols where required.
- Support Seed & Propagation Management Support seed selection, treatment, storage, and sowing.
- Monitor germination performance across seed lots and maintain records of seed source, quantity, germination, and utilization.
- Support the identification and development of suitable mother plants for future propagation and seed requirements.
- Maintain Inventory & Nursery Records Maintain accurate species-wise plant inventory and monitor seed, polybags, growing media, fertilizer, pesticides, and other nursery inputs.
- Conduct regular physical stock verification and ensure daily nursery records and technical registers are updated.
- Report production, mortality, shifting, and stock status through the standardized reporting system.
- Verify Plant Dispatch & Quality Verify plant quantity and quality before dispatch and confirm alignment with approved plantation demand.
- Coordinate dispatch preparation and verify documentation, including species, quantity, destination, and vehicle details.
- Support reconciliation of plants dispatched against plants received at plantation sites.
- Coordinate with Plantation & Operations Teams Coordinate upcoming plant requirements and provide technical inputs for species selection and production planning.
- Align nursery production with plantation calendars.
- Communicate potential shortages, production delays, or quality concerns in advance.
- Support Infrastructure & Resource Management Monitor irrigation systems, shade structures, growing beds, drainage, water storage, and storage facilities.
- Identify infrastructure requirements and maintenance issues.
- Support planning for nursery expansion and infrastructure improvement.
- Supervise & Develop Nursery Staff Supervise nursery workers involved in technical activities and allocate work according to production requirements.
- Identify skill gaps and conduct on-the-job training on nursery practices.
- Promote safe and efficient working practices.
- Monitor Performance & Reporting Ensure timely submission of daily nursery reports.
- Track germination, mortality, production, dispatch, capacity utilization, input utilization, and plant-quality KPIs.
- Support weekly and monthly performance reporting, highlight deviations, and recommend corrective actions.
Key Deliverables
- Healthy, high-quality planting material produced species-wise according to the approved plan.
- Improved germination and survival rates, supported by timely identification of production and plant-health issues.
- Accurate nursery inventory, daily reporting, dispatch documentation, and reconciliation.
- Consistent SOP compliance and plant grading before dispatch.
- Effective technical support for nursery expansion and production planning.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Botany, or a related field; diploma holders with strong relevant nursery experience may also be considered.
- 2-5 years of relevant experience in nursery management, horticulture, forestry, plantation, or plant production.
- Practical experience raising and maintaining tree, shrub, fruit, or ornamental species.
- Experience supervising nursery labor and maintaining nursery records.
- Strong knowledge of nursery production, plant propagation, plant health management, irrigation, fertilization, and plant protection.
- Ability to identify common pests and diseases and recommend appropriate action.
- Good documentation, reporting, and basic Excel or data-management skills.
- Ability to supervise field teams and labor and coordinate effectively with stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel between nursery and plantation sites.