Nursery Director South African Reforestation Carbon Credit Project

Imperative Global Group, Inc.; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading carbon project development company is seeking a Nursery Director for a reforestation project in South Africa. You will lead the nursery operations, oversee staff training, and ensure environmental compliance. This role demands 15+ years of experience in nursery management, strategic leadership, and a strong commitment to conservation. Fluency in English is essential, and knowledge of local languages is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Approximately 15+ years' experience in relevant roles is required.
• Experience in developing and running similar large-scale nurseries is essential.
• Significant experience managing teams and leadership roles is critical.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to the nursery teams.
• Oversee the recruitment and training of staff.
• Manage plant production and quality control.
• Develop and manage nursery budget.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Plant Production

Quality Control

Inventory Management

Environmental Compliance

Budget Management

Health and Safety Protocols

Strategic Planning

Education

Relevant horticulture or agricultural degree

Tools

Ellepot propagation system

Job description

Nursery Director South African Reforestation Carbon Credit Project

About Us

Imperative is a global carbon project development company that aims to be in the top decile for quality in the carbon projects market.

We have a build‑own‑operate model and specialise in the design, development and operation of carbon credit projects that help combat climate change while promoting biodiversity conservation, economic growth and social development in the countries in which we operate.

With a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced nursery director to join our dynamic team.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced, resilient, and resourceful Nursery Director to lead our current commercial nursery and the further establishment and operation of multiple field nurseries and depots in remote, rural areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

You will also oversee the establishment of an Ellepot production facility with multiple high production machines.

This is a foundational role in a pioneering native forest regeneration project that aims to produce over million native Spekboom plants to restore a planting area of , hectares, spread over a total project area of more than 1 million hectares.

This is not a traditional nursery management role.

The nurseries will be located approximately km from the nearest major city, operating with limited existing infrastructure and requiring a high degree of self‑sufficiency.

As the Nursery Director, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of nursery operations, from infrastructure development to plant production, while leading a large, dispersed team and managing complex logistics in a challenging, resource‑constrained environment.

You will report directly to the Project Director and will be a key leader in achieving the project's ambitious goals.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management : Provide strategic leadership to the field nursery team(s), fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.

Oversee the recruitment, training, and development of staff, ensuring expertise in plant propagation, cultivation, and customer service.

Lead a diverse team of senior nursery operation and maintenance managers, horticulturalists, propagation specialists and Ellepot production personnel.

Implement robust communication and management systems to effectively lead a dispersed team without constant physical oversight.

Empower and mentor local supervisors to build their capacity for independent site management.

Plant Production and Quality Control : Develop and implement standardized, efficient plant propagation and cultivation processes to ensure consistent quality and to meet production targets.

Establish and maintain a robust plant quality index (PQI), to monitor and control measures to ensure the health, vitality, and uniformity of plants.

Inventory Management : Utilising a best‑in‑class digital platform, manage plant inventory, including tracking stock levels, conducting regular audits, and optimizing stock turnover.

Implement effective inventory control measures to minimize losses and waste.

Compliance and Environmental Stewardship : Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, permits, and environmental standards governing plant nurseries in South Africa.

Promote environmentally sustainable practices in plant production and nursery operations.

Budgeting and Financial Management : Develop and manage the nursery budget and with the support of the project controls team, track costs against it.

Implement cost‑effective measures without compromising the quality of plants and services provided.

Infrastructure Development and Maintenance : Lead the establishment of all new on‑site nursery infrastructure, including water systems, power generation (where needed), security fencing, and staff facilities, from the ground up.

Develop and implement a maintenance schedule for all nursery infrastructure and equipment, ensuring operational continuity in a remote setting.

Health, Safety, and Security : Develop and enforce robust health and safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment for all staff.

Regularly review and update safety procedures to comply with national and international standards.

Experience

The position requires approximately 15+ years' experience in relevant roles.

Experience in developing and running similar large‑scale nurseries is essential.

Significant experience managing teams and serving in leadership roles is critical.

Experience with the Ellepot propagation system and nursery equipment is preferred.

Skills

A self‑starter who can lead a significant scope of work in a remote location with a high degree of independence.

Demonstrate a high level of personal integrity and be passionate about making a positive difference to the world.

Strong strategic planning and execution skills for large‑scale projects.

Have extremely well‑developed communication skills at both the executive level and in the field.

Ability to lead the execution and planning of major projects.

Sound contractual administration abilities.

Strong digital literacy for inventory, reporting, and operational management systems.

Desired Attributes

Pioneering Spirit : A forward‑thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce innovative methods to improve nursery operations and project outcomes.

Resilience and Adaptability : The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and navigate the unique challenges of a large‑scale, remote project.

Passion for Conservation : A genuine commitment to environmental restoration and the mission of the project.

Language

Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

The ability to speak Afrikaans and / or isiXhosa would be beneficial.

Education

The position requires a relevant horticulture and / or agricultural degree from an internationally recognised university.

A strong academic record is highly regarded for this senior role.

Position Location

Graaff‑Reinet (preferred) or Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa with regular travel to nursery site(s) in the Eastern Cape province.

Values

Integrity : We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it and adapt.

Momentum : Speed matters. We think quick, we plan tirelessly, we mitigate risks but above all, we take action.

Purpose : We are driven by our desire to make the world better, with every interaction, process and project.

Accountability : We do what we say, and we deliver.

Collaboration : We celebrate diversity of thought, values and backgrounds and seek to harness the strength of our people and partners to achieve more than we individually can, through teamwork and creativity.

Tenacity : We are highly ambitious, driven and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.