Midwest General Manager: Lead Ops & Growth

Bailey Nurseries; Newport (MN); On-site; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Bailey Nurseries seeks a General Manager - Midwest to provide leadership and operational oversight for our Midwest/Eastern operations, including Illinois, Minnesota, and Georgia. You will lead day‑to‑day operations through the Production Leadership Team to align priorities, staffing, production plans, quality, and goals.

Working closely with the COO and business partners, you’ll drive operational excellence, financial accountability, safety, compliance, continuous improvement, and profitable,

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant industry experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role with responsibility for people leadership, operational execution, and business performance.
• Extensive knowledge of nursery production with strong business acumen and leadership of complex operational functions.
• Travel to Bailey operations, industry events, and customer locations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for the company’s Midwest/Eastern operations.
• Lead the Production Leadership Team across locations to align priorities, staffing, production plans, quality standards, and business goals.
• Maintain a hands-on leadership approach and strong communication to ensure execution of company goals across facilities.
• Lead through managers by setting expectations, building accountability, developing leadership, and supporting succession planning.
• Promote a positive workplace culture that supports safety, accountability, excellence, growth, and Bailey Nurseries Core Values.
• Ensure effective use of nursery assets (people, land, equipment, plants) from planning to shipping.
• Drive financial accountability including budget planning, labor cost management, and profitability goals.
• Establish centralized documentation and support regulatory compliance and risk management.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders to align labor, production, inventory, and customer demand.

Skills

People leadership

Operational excellence

Strategic planning

Communication

Travel readiness

Financial acumen

Lean/governance

Technology proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture or business

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory software

Microsoft Office

Reporting systems

Job description

Bailey Nurseries seeks a General Manager - Midwest to provide leadership and operational oversight for our Midwest/Eastern operations, including Illinois, Minnesota, and Georgia. You will lead day‑to‑day operations through the Production Leadership Team to align priorities, staffing, production plans, quality, and goals.

Working closely with the COO and business partners, you’ll drive operational excellence, financial accountability, safety, compliance, continuous improvement, and profitable,