Horticulturist - Greenhouse Operations

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Generous paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a dedicated Horticulturist to manage and optimize advanced greenhouse operations, ensuring high-value crops reach peak health and yield in a controlled environment.

You will oversee climate control, nutrient management, IPM strategies, and equipment performance, while training staff and maintaining detailed crop records. This role offers growth within a supportive team focused on sustainable, high-quality production.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Horticulture or related field.
• Minimum 4 years of hands-on greenhouse management experience.
• Strong plant physiology knowledge and pest management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage greenhouse cultivation, seeding to harvest.
• Develop tailored fertilization and irrigation programs.
• Monitor climate controls (temp, humidity, light, CO2).
• Diagnose and manage diseases and pests with IPM.
• Maintain crop records and treatment logs.
• Supervise and train greenhouse staff in Pretoria.

Skills

Plant physiology

Environmental controls

IPM strategies

Observation skills

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Horticulture

Tools

Hydroponics

Aeroponics

Environmental controls

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a dedicated Horticulturist to manage and optimize their advanced greenhouse operations in Pretoria . This role is critical for ensuring the successful cultivation of high-value horticultural crops in a controlled environment. You will be responsible for plant health, growth cycles, nutrient management, and pest control within the greenhouse, utilizing modern horticultural techniques and technology. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of plant physiology and a passion for innovative growing methods to achieve superior crop quality and yield.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of greenhouse cultivation, including seeding, transplanting, growth monitoring, and harvesting.
• Develop and implement tailored fertilization and irrigation programs based on plant needs and environmental conditions.
• Monitor and manage greenhouse climate controls (temperature, humidity, lighting, CO2) for optimal plant growth.
• Identify, diagnose, and manage plant diseases, pests, and physiological disorders using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
• Maintain detailed records of crop performance, environmental data, and treatment applications.
• Supervise and train greenhouse staff, ensuring adherence to safety and operational protocols in Pretoria .

Requirements

• A degree or diploma in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in commercial greenhouse management or intensive horticultural production.
• Strong knowledge of plant physiology, propagation techniques, and nutrient management for horticultural crops.
• Experience with environmental control systems and hydroponic or aeroponic systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and disease control strategies within protected environments.
• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail in plant care.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work with innovative greenhouse technologies.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
• Potential for career growth within a growing horticultural enterprise.
• A supportive team environment focused on sustainable and high-quality plant production.