New Plants Assistant Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc.  is seeking a passionate, plant-savvy horticulture professional to help us continue to change the way people think about our products. Are you a plant-loving, analytical, idea-driven person who has been itching for the opportunity to make a difference? We want to hear from you! 

This role is responsible for proper growing of trial plants in R&D greenhouse and field locations. This requires working closely the manager to assist with the oversight of the crews through guidance, demonstration and development. Employee must also keep detailed documents of trial evaluations from own insight, meetings and correspondence with managers and breeders. Will continuously adjust inventory, growing methods and categories to fit production goals. You will collaborate with departments across the organization to support operational needs, maintain our facilities, and contribute to the long-term success and growth of Spring Meadow Nursery . Be a part of the Proven Winners Color Choice team that introduced ‘ Limelight ’ hydrangea and ' Wine & Roses ' weigela to North America!

Primary Responsibilities:

R&D Growing

• Assist in managing 7 acres of containerized production.
  • Determine proper pot size, environment, and growing conditions.
  • Responsible for watering needs of plants.
  • Identify pests & diseases and learn different techniques to control them.
  • Oversee trimming schedule and demonstrate examples to crew. 
  • Plan space requirements to ensure the correct spacing of all trials.
  • Follow procedures for different quarantine zones. 
• Assist in managing 30 acres of field production.
  • Maintain the stock field in all areas of mowing, weeding, trimming and watering.
  • Organize seedling and germplasm plants for optimal long range space planning.
  • Organize spring and fall field plantings.
  • Name, relabel and propagate all new selected varieties.
• Propagate all trial and breeding plants to continue trials for years to come.
  • Determine required size of liner, timing of cuttings, rooting hormone and rooting environment.
  • Shift liners to containers at the appropriate times to match protocols. 
  • Monitor rooting rates to create full trials of each variety. 
  • Experiment with new propagation techniques and timings.
• Continuously plan, schedule, evaluate and follow up on activities while prioritizing most urgent tasks.
• Maintain daily record keeping activities in order to monitor work crew efficiency and workflow.
• Maintain detail inventory counts of all on hand material.
• Work directly with other New Plants Assistant Manager on daily tasks and growing needs. 
• Work with the Stock Manager and General Manager to coordinate activity needs requiring a larger workforce.
• Work with Maintenance to insure facilities are matching growing conditions and equipment is working properly. 
• Will also be required to come in for ‘on call’ weekends a few times a year to check irrigation and heat are working correctly. 

New Plant Trial Evaluation

• Work with President, New Product Development Manager, General Manager, Plant Breeder, Stock and R&D Manager, and Finished Grower Support Manager on evaluation of all genetics.
  • Introduction decisions
  • Prioritization of genetics
  • Adjusting of plans 
• Documents all aspects of container trial and garden trial evaluation including but not limited to: 
  • Flower color and size
  • Growth habit and pattern
  • Foliage color and style
  • Collecting standardized images
• Trial different finished growing protocols (Flower color, nutrition, trimming, shade, etc.).
• Evaluate propagation trials and work with Propagation Dept.
• Develop standard protocol for all evaluations. 
• Receive and sort plants from worldwide breeder network.
• Accept new varieties from seedling production into the R&D systems.
• Develop new growing procedures and propagation techniques. 

Marketing

• Provide plant material of all proprietary varieties for the Gold Key Meeting, Leaderboard Meeting, various tours and other events on Spring Meadow property. 
• Work with Growing Consultant to help grow all marketing plants. 
• Work with Shipping Dept. to pick and send the appropriate plants to events around the country. 

Staff Development

• Determine long-term personnel needs for R&D growing department including crew leaders and part time hourly staff. 
• Provide on-going training to departmental employees – efficient work procedures, safety policies and procedures, etc.
• Participate on safety committee and being aware of safety hazards, reporting them when necessary. 
• Assess the performance of departmental employees – provide regular feedback on daily activities; administer disciplinary action, as needed
• Responsible for written documentation of all related policies and procedures.
• Work with all departments to accomplish common tasks; team player.

• Performs other related duties as required.
• Follow Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. Employee Handbook
• Follow Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. Safety Handbook.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• 2 or 4 years Horticulture or related degree and 3-5 years of growing / propagation responsibilities including some supervision or equivalent work experience in a supervising position involving the growing / propagation of plants. 
• Must be able to assist crews in their daily work assignments, as needed. 
• Computer skills are required for stock related tasks in NAV nursery database as well as proficiency in Excel and Word. 
• Bilingual English-Spanish skills are highly desirable.
• Must possess the ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move 30 pounds.

Performance Requirements:

• Must maintain a level of performance equivalent to company standards, that being a “Meets Expectations” in all areas of your performance evaluations (including but not limited to, Self and Management reviews).
• This position is expected to average 45 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate business and operational needs, as well as periodic special projects.

*The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

This organization participates in E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification. If you require an accommodation in the application process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com.