Production Manager

Goodmark Nurseries, LLC; Wonder Lake (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodmark Nurseries, LLC seeks an experienced Nursery Production/Operations Manager to supervise multiple territory teams and oversee planting, harvesting, and nursery maintenance. You will ensure safety, quality, and efficiency, while maintaining adherence to SOPs and company standards across all Goodmark territories.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of nursery management experience, horticultural knowledge, and the ability to communicate effectively in English.

Qualifications

• Nursery field experience required.
• Prior purchasing experience preferred.
• Must be able to communicate in English.
• Must be able to lift at least 60 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license required in your state of residence.
• 3–5 years prior nursery management experience.
• Horticultural knowledge required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, motivate and train territory team leads to safely produce quality material within budget.
• Oversee nursery maintenance and organization to established standards.
• Record the results of all daily activities in accordance with SOPs.
• Assure proper maintenance and cleanliness of trucks, equipment and tools.
• Supervise field staff at all Goodmark and South Branch Territories.

Skills

Nursery field experience

English communication

Independent thinking

Ability to lift 60 pounds

Job description

MAJOR OBJECTIVES

Supervise, motivate and train a team of territory team leads to safely produce quality material within budget. Oversee nursery maintenance and organization to established standards. Record the results of all daily activities in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOP.) Assure the appropriate daily inspection, use and inventory all vehicles, equipment and small tools as well as immediate reporting of any maintenance or repair issues to the service manager. Effectively communicate and maintain a professional working relationship with your manager, production team members, customers, vendors and neighbors. The Production Manager will also maintain a positive image for Goodmark in the field and industry.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Profitable operations
• Quality work. Quality product.
• Client and production employee satisfaction
• Safe operations
• Effective & efficient staff
• Effective SOP's

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Organize All Planting Operations

• Select fields to clear in fall and prepare fields with manure and cover crop for spring liners in conjunction with the Inventory
• Determine which liners to plant in fields depending on physical conditions (proximity to roads, wet areas, alkaline areas, etc.) in conjunction with operations manager.
• Assist in vendor and liner selection based on historical performance.
• Receive and reconcile all liner deliveries in conjunction with inventory.
• Track and document planting location. Promptly provide paperwork to inventory.
• Assure territory team leads install irrigation on all newly planted liners.
• Oversee the application of herbicide as liner installation is completed.

Organize Harvesting Operations

• Supervise crews as to proper digging techniques and proper ball size.
• Supply additional materials as needed to maintain efficiency in each territory.
• Assure territory team leads remove irrigation before digging and store in designated area.

Oversee Nursery Maintenance

• Assure pruning, staking, flexing, and transplanting are performed according to nursery standards to create consistency.
• Monitor crew members applying fertilizer, herbicide and other chemicals.
• Supervise Field Staff at all Goodmark and South Branch Territories

Supervise Field Staff at all Goodmark and South Branch Territories

• Assist in recruiting and hiring new employees.
• Motivate and train territory team leads on all production functions and follow-up to assure consistency/uniformity throughout all territories.
• Assure territory team leads are completing all production functions within budgeted hours.
• Assure the proper number of team members are utilized for each job function.
• Evaluate tasks based on a priority in conjunction with the President.
• Assure territory team leads appropriately inspect, use and inventory all vehicles, equipment and small tools daily immediately reporting any maintenance or repair issues to the service manager.

Responsible for the proper maintenance and cleanliness of your truck, equipment and small tools

• Assure monthly equipment and tool inventory is completed.
• Enforce nursery policies and procedures.
• Implement disciplinary action as needed in conjunction with human resources.
• Conduct annual reviews of all Goodmark field staff in conjunction with territory team leads.

Supervise all Clerical Duties

• Assure timesheets are completed and turned in daily.
• Assure fuel log is maintained according to established procedure.

Supervise Purchasing

• Assure territory team leads inventory basic supplies including burlap, twine, baskets, etc. weekly.
• Purchase all basic supplies for nursery including, burlap, twine, baskets, etc. in conjunction with Nursery Director.

Maintain Facility

• Assure territory team leads are always keeping their areas presentable (Garbage picked up, items stored in orderly manner)

Miscellaneous

• Communicate effectively with clients, managers, production managers, salespeople, vendors, and over support staff with which you interact.
• Coordinate daily activities under changing circumstances
• Use independent judgement to develop creative solutions to problems that may arise in the course of a workday
• Identify problem areas. Make suggestions and assist in implementing solutions in conjunction with your Manager.
• Work toward the continual improvement of Goodmark.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Nursery field experience required.
• Prior purchasing experience preferred.
• Must have the ability to communicate in English.
• Must be able to think independently, foresee and resolve problems.
• Must have the capacity to drive throughout the nursery and conduct daily tours and visual inspections of work performed and in progress.
• Must have the ability to lift at least 60 pounds.
• Knowledge of snow removal operations and management.

PREREQUISITES

• 3 – 5 years prior nursery management experience.
• Horticultural knowledge required.
• Valid driver’s license required in your state of residence.