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RE: WinterCreek Nursery
WinterCreek Nursery operates as a retail and wholesale nursery providing native plants for landscapers, restoration practitioners, homeowners, plant brokers, and others working with plant material native to central and eastern Oregon. The nursery was established in 1992 and has experienced continual growth since that time. The nursery is currently owned by the Worthy Garden Club, a 501(c)(3) public benefit non-profit, and all profits from nursery sales are used to support the work of the non-profit. This unique business structure does not mean the nursery is exempt from operating as a profitable business, and good business practices (including attaining increased net profitability) must be inherent in all operational decisions and practices.
The administrative structure of the business is typical of non-profits. A Board of Directors (the Board) oversees all major decisions and the general operation of the non-profit – including WinterCreek Nursery. The President of the Board educates Directors on issues and priorities for the organization. The Executive Director works closely with the Board and the President on all decisions affecting the general direction and management of the organization. All employees of the organization, including the Nursery Manager, report directly to the Executive Director or their individual supervisor (i.e. nursery staff report to the Nursery Manager, and the Nursery Manager reports directly to the Executive Director). The Human Resources Officer at Worthy Brewing oversees all human resource issues (insurance, payroll, etc), and works with the Executive Director on employee management for the non-profit.
Although each position in the non-profit enjoys a high degree of autonomy, each employee is expected to be proficient and professional in their positions. Efficiency and honesty are essential qualities for each person working for the Worthy Garden Club.
Nursery Manager responsibilities and expectations
The nursery manager oversees all aspects of nursery production including propagation, plant growth and management, sales, budget management, purchasing of equipment and supplies, hiring and supervision of nursery staff, and other tasks as required. Effective management of the nursery requires the general manager be proficient in a wide range of skills, be self-motivated, have the capability to learn and apply knowledge and experience, and the ability to develop and maintain a skilled workforce through appropriate hiring and training practices.
Primary skills required for the position include:
- Knowledge of native plants and plant propagation
- Leadership
- Decision making
- Financial management
- Efficiency
- Adaptability
- Communication (oral and written)
- Dedication
- Ability to learn & apply new knowledge
Although the nursery manager works with the nursery staff and crew on daily tasks, the manager is responsible for the overall operation and appearance of the nursery.
Expectations for the position include:
- Maintain a professional appearance
- Customer service
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with contractors and suppliers
- Maintain a clean and orderly nursery
- Maintain the health and vigor of all nursery stock
- Maintain quality standards
- Minimize unnecessary costs
- Engage with nursery owners or owners’ representative on all major decisions or purchases
Associated with those expectations are a number of specific tasks that must be addressed by the nursery manager. The manager does not need the ability to complete each task themselves, but must have the ability to recognize the needs of the nursery and can delegate tasks to staff members that have the skills necessary to complete the job.
However, the ultimate responsibility for management of all aspects of the nursery falls on the nursery manager.
Tasks include:
- Complete daily checks on nursery stock (health, water status, transplanting needs, etc)
- Coordinate seeding, planting, and transplanting schedules
- Pest management (identification, treatment, monitoring)
- Develop daily and weekly targets for staff
- Maintain inventory lists, including plant loss figures
- Maintain social media accounts with weekly postings
- Organize all invoicing, billing, accounts payable, and other financial needs for the bookkeeper/accountant
- Manage irrigation water in the cistern, including scheduling seasonal water deliveries as needed
- Ensure irrigation systems are fully functional in the greenhouses and holding beds
- Maintain greenhouse structures (patch tears or punctures, replace broken hardware, etc.)
Communication, performance reviews, merit increases, bonuses, disciplinary actions
A written report summarizing annual objectives, approaches, and needs will be submitted by the nursery manager to the owner, owner’s representative, and Board of Directors within the first quarter of each year. The objectives and goals outlined in that report will be used as the basis to develop measurable standards by which to assess success. The basic premise is to use experiences, challenges, and successes from one year to create realistic and attainable goals and objectives for the following year. This may require altering approaches or targets, or wholesale changes in objectives and methods.
Recommended subjects to address include:
- Production targets & methods
- Revenue projections
- Personnel needs
- Equipment needs
- Training requirements
- Educational needs
- Opportunities for growth or expansion
- Review of previous year’s performance
One performance review will be completed each year near the end of the growing season. Success will be measured by the degree of attainment of the objectives and goals submitted by the nursery manager. Results will be quantified and documented, and used to recommend merit increases or bonuses to the Board of Directors (the Board). Decisions by the Board concerning raises, bonuses, penalties, or disciplinary actions will be final.
Summary
The nursery manager is responsible for all aspects of production, annual planning, personnel management, and aesthetics of the nursery. Creativity and personal initiative is encouraged, but the manager must possess or develop a deep and practical understanding of native plants and plant physiology as it relates to the commercial production of sometimes challenging species. Communication skills and a positive attitude are essential, as is the ability to learn and accept advice or criticism. This is a difficult and complex job that requires a wide range of personal and professional abilities and characteristics. But success brings many rewards.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Weekends as needed
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Bend, OR 97701: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
