Lead Grower, Trees & Shrubs Propagation

Metrolina Greenhouses; South Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolina Greenhouses in York, SC seeks a Nursery Growing Manager – Trees & Shrubs to lead the propagation and finishing of woody ornamentals. This role supervises Assistant Growers, optimizes cultural practices, and maintains strict plant health, disease prevention, and safety standards.

The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience with tree and shrub propagation, grafting, girding of stock, and production scheduling, with a strong emphasis on quality and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of commercial experience in tree and shrub propagation, grafting, and finish growing.
• Extensive knowledge of woody ornamental diseases and practical experience with prevention and treatment.
• Ability to create and maintain detailed production schedules from propagation through finished-crop shipment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crop culture and overall plant health for trees and shrubs.
• Supervise Assistant Growers and ensure sound cultural and production practices.
• Monitor irrigation and fertilization systems, EC and pH, and adjust programs accordingly.
• Lead propagation methods including vegetative cuttings, seed, division, grafting, and budding.
• Manage stock production, indexing, and mother-stock programs for cultivar identity and vigor.
• Develop propagation-to-finish schedules and coordinate harvest, shipping readiness, and inventory.
• Ensure compliance with IPM, disease management, and PGR programs; implement trials as assigned.

Skills

Tree & shrub propagation

Grafting & budding

Propagation scheduling

Plant health management

Disease knowledge (woody ornamentals)

Education

BS in Horticulture / Plant Science / Nursery Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365 (Outlook/Teams/Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Metrolina Greenhouses in York, SC seeks a Nursery Growing Manager – Trees & Shrubs to lead the propagation and finishing of woody ornamentals. This role supervises Assistant Growers, optimizes cultural practices, and maintains strict plant health, disease prevention, and safety standards.

The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience with tree and shrub propagation, grafting, girding of stock, and production scheduling, with a strong emphasis on quality and efficiency.