Director - Production

The Red Sea Development Company; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Botanica, a subsidiary of Red Sea Global, seeks a senior leader to oversee plant production for internal and external developments in Saudi Arabia. You will manage an 180-hectare nursery, coordinate propagation cycles, and drive biosecurity and IPM programs while ensuring cost control and high-quality plant material supply.

The role requires 15+ years in large-scale nursery operations, expertise in arid-climate horticulture, and leadership of teams of 100+ staff. A Master’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in relevant field; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 15 years in large-scale nursery or horticultural production.
• 7+ years leading production operations with 100+ workforce.
• Experience in arid-climate horticulture, native species, biosecurity and irrigation management.
• Experience supplying plant material to large-scale landscape developments.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant production at Botanica across an 180-hectare nursery with annual capacity of 8 million plants.
• Translate approved demand plans into production, propagation and growing cycles.
• Own the Biosecurity Protocol, IPM, phytosanitary documentation, and traceability.
• Manage direct cost budget for nursery production and R&D; control labour and materials.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture / Agriculture / Landscape Architecture / Agricultural Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Redefining Sustainability Innovating for the Future Creating a Lasting Impact Botanica is a subsidiary of Red Sea Global and is part of the Red Sea Global Group of companies

We specialize in providing dedicated sustainable greenery across Red Sea Global s destinations ensuring careful integration of new species with local flora

As a subsidiary Botanica benefits from shared strategic goals and collaborative initiatives within the Red Sea Global group of companies enhancing our ability to serve our clients effectively

Spanning over 1 million square meters driving our planet-first approach to sustainability

Since 2020 we have cultivated over 5 million plants with an ambitious goal of 30 million by 2030 shaping the natural landscapes of The Red Sea amp Amaala

With a team of passionate professionals 40 from the local community and an unwavering commitment to ecological harmony we are pioneering new global benchmarks in sustainable development

Why Join Us

Sustainability at Scale Be part of a project that s transforming landscapes and preserving biodiversity Innovate amp Grow Work with industry experts in a fast-evolving environment Global Recognition Join a company shaping the future of sustainable tourism and development Work in a Natural Paradise Contribute to world-class projects in breathtaking locations Be the Change Join the World s Most Visionary Developer

Job Purpose

Lead plant production at Botanica Red Sea growing and supplying plant material from the 180-hectare nursery annual production capacity of 8 million plants including propagation greenhouses and shade houses flowers indoor plants the seed bank and the native species programme and lead R amp D and biosecurity The role is accountable for plant quality availability biosecurity safety and production cost and for supplying what Commercial sells at the cost assumed in its pricing for internal RSG clients and external developments

Production Planning amp Output Translate the approved demand plan into production import and growing plans propagation growing cycles mother stock imports with the PMO Achieve production volumes plant readiness dates germination and survival targets manage the live plant inventory with accurate stock records Review plant Bills of Quantities BOQs for all RSG and external projects confirm availability substitutions and lead times before Commercial commits Agree weekly readiness and dispatch schedules with the Director Nursery Operations Nursery Production Lead plant propagation seed cuttings grafting layering division greenhouses and shade houses flower and food production indoor plants and the seed bank Grow the native plant programme and the share of native production Apply crop management practices scheduling fertilization IPM to maximize quality and minimize losses R amp D Plant Health amp Biosecurity Own the Biosecurity Protocol inspection of incoming and imported material phytosanitary documentation quarantine hygiene and traceability Lead the integrated pest and disease management IPM programme and the R amp D roadmap propagation techniques substrates irrigation climate-resilient species Ensure compliance with MEWA requirements and the use of approved species only Cost Productivity amp Resources Own the direct cost budget for nursery production and R amp D control labour materials water fuel equipment and wastage Plan manpower equipment and materials with the PMO report utilization and productivity weekly Name cost and delivery risks early propose corrective actions rather than absorbing overruns silently People HSSE amp Leadership Lead managers supervisors horticulturists and operatives across nursery production and R amp D drive competency training and supervision standards Ensure zero-harm field operations permits method statements toolbox talks PPE and incident reporting with HSSE Deliver the fixed responsibilities of a Department Head Section 11 1 Policies Systems Processes amp Standards Follow and enforce all relevant Botanica and RSG Group policies delegation of authority DoA processes standard operating procedures and instructions so that work is carried out in a controlled auditable and consistent manner Safety Quality amp Environment Apply and champion the safety quality and environmental management system ISO 9001 ISO 14001 ISO 45001 and the compliance management system ISO 37301 to ensure employee safety legislative compliance high-quality products and services and a responsible environmental attitude Continuous Improvement Identify and lead opportunities to improve the department s systems processes and practices against international best practice with a focus on cost reduction productivity improvement and client value Skills Production planning inventory control and capacity management for live product Labour productivity measurement cost control and operational KPI management IPM biosecurity and phytosanitary compliance HSSE leadership in field operations fluent English Arabic preferred Job Context The role runs plant production for both internal RSG clients and external developments where long growing cycles mean today s decisions set availability one to three years ahead It depends on Nursery Operations for water soil logistics and equipment so the two directors must plan jointly Main risks are plant losses from pests disease and heat biosecurity incursions through imported stock and demand forecasts that change after growing has started Functional Technical Competencies Plant Propagation Techniques - Expert Nursery Crop Management amp Cultural Practices - Expert Research amp Development in Sustainable Production - Advanced Integrated Pest amp Disease Management - Advanced Biosecurity amp Phytosanitary Management - Advanced Health Safety amp Environmental Compliance - Advanced Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture or Agricultural Engineering; Master's degree preferred. Minimum 15 years in large-scale nursery or horticultural production, of which at least 7 years leading production operations with a workforce of 100+. Proven experience in arid-climate horticulture, native species, biosecurity and irrigation management, preferably in KSA or the GCC. Experience supplying plant material to large-scale landscape developments, including imported and specimen stock.