Grower

Applewood Nursery; Forest Lake (MN); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Applewood Nursery in Minnesota is seeking a Garden Center Production Lead to supervise the production team, ensure healthy plants, and deliver excellent customer service. The role emphasizes production over sales and reports to the Garden Center Retail Manager, with a full-time schedule exceeding 40 hours per week and seasonal overtime.

The ideal candidate has extensive leadership experience in the green industry, strong communication skills, and the ability to train staff while maintaining high

Qualifications

• 5+ years leadership experience with diverse teams.
• 5+ years in the green industry managing plants.
• Experience training employees.
• Strong communication and teamwork.
• Willingness to learn and attention to detail.
• Able to work outside in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead Garden Center Production team; provide training and feedback.
• Routinely check for pests, diseases and nutrient issues in plant stock.
• Manage irrigation setup.
• Manage weed control on grounds and inventory.
• Work with HR to hire and review staff.
• Communicate expectations and enforce policies.
• Direct planting for spring and oversee setup of sales area.
• Maintain appearance and care of stock; water and prune as needed.
• Report stock availability to the retail manager.
• Organize tools and supplies in your area.
• Provide customer service to assist with plant selection.
• Assist in loading/unloading landscape materials and pulling orders.
• Assist in merchandising displays.
• Stay positive with customers and coworkers.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Green industry experience

Training employees

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Physical stamina

Decision making

Weather endurance

Job description

About the Role:

Leads and manages the Garden Center Production team members. Responsible for training, providing feedback and ensuring healthy plants and happy customers. Works closely with Owner and Human Resources to ensure appropriate staffing level. This position will focus on Production versus Sales and will work closely with the Garden Center Retail Manager. This is a full-time, 40+ hours per week position. Hours will vary throughout the season and there can be additional hours required in the busy season. This position is full time salary.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to the Garden Center Production team, including training, setting pace, follow-up, and feedback.
• Routinely checking for pests, diseases and nutrient issues in all plant stock.
• Managing irrigation setup.
• Managing weed control on the grounds and in inventory.
• Work closely with Human Resources to hire employees, provide performance reviews and for general employee or performance issues.
• Communicate expectations to team members, then hold them to the standards which will meet or exceed those expectations.
• Enforce Handbook policies with team members.
• Responsible for planting, and/or directing the work of those planting, in winter/spring and directing the work of those helping to set up the sales area in the spring.
• Maintain appearance of stock, including watering, trimming dead flowers, and general tidiness of the grounds.
• Report on availability of stock to retail manager.
• Ensure all tools and supplies are organized in your area.
• Provide excellent customer service to assist customers in the selection of plant and landscape materials as needed.
• Assist in loading and unloading landscape materials. Including, but not limited to: plants, block, natural stone, edging, etc.
• Assist in pulling orders for retail and wholesale customers’ fulfillment.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of merchandising displays.
• Maintain a positive attitude when working with customers and coworkers.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• 5 or more years of leadership experience, working with a wide range of ages and skills to get the work done.
• 5 or more years of experience in the green industry, including working with plants, trees and/or shrubs. Including understanding pest and disease management as well as nutrient deficiencies and issues.
• Experience training employees with a wide range of skills or knowledge about plants is preferred.
• Strong work ethic – willing to learn new things daily.
• Strong communication skills, there is a lot of teamwork, but also a lot of complex individual tasks.
• Willingness to learn, there are a lot of different varied tasks, and they all require a lot of attention to detail.
• Confidence in making decisions.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions and enjoy working outside.
• Must be able to stand, bend and lift 50lbs.
• Valid ID and driver’s license