Horticultural Manager

Description

ABOUT BLOOMS HORTICULTURE

Blooms Horticulture is part of Home of Hope, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout Northeast Oklahoma.

Blooms combines horticulture with meaningful vocational opportunities. Individuals participating in the program assist with growing plants, producing vegetables, maintaining gardens, preparing products for sale, and serving customers.

Our goal is to grow a successful year-round horticulture operation while creating meaningful work opportunities for the people we serve.

If you love plants, enjoy working outdoors, and want your work to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

Blooms Horticulture | Home of Hope, Inc.

Full-Time | $32,000–$35,000 annually

Position Summary

Blooms Horticulture is seeking a Horticulture Manager to oversee the day-to-day production and operations of our greenhouse, gardens, and horticulture program.

This is a hands-on position responsible for growing and maintaining quality plants, flowers, and produce throughout the year. The Horticulture Manager will plan seasonal production, supervise horticulture activities, maintain growing areas and equipment, prepare products for sale, and assist with retail and seasonal sales.

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys working with plants, likes being outdoors, is organized, and takes pride in producing quality products. Experience with greenhouse, nursery, gardening, landscaping, or agricultural production is preferred.

A basic understanding of purchasing, inventory, pricing, and sales will also be important as Blooms continues to grow.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Horticulture Production

• Plan and oversee annual and seasonal plant production.
• Start seeds, propagate plants, transplant, pot, water, fertilize, prune, and      maintain plants.
• Monitor plants for pests, disease, and other growing problems.
• Maintain greenhouse growing areas and equipment.
• Plan and maintain vegetable and produce gardens.
• Develop planting and harvest schedules.
• Maintain appropriate growing conditions.
• Monitor plant quality and prepare plants for sale.
• Minimize plant loss and product waste.

Produce Production

• Plan  and oversee vegetable and herb production.
• Coordinate planting, harvesting, washing, packaging, and storage of produce.
• Prepare produce for sale through Route 66 Mercantile, farmers markets, and other      community sales opportunities.
• Track basic production and harvest information.
• Assist with developing year-round growing opportunities.

Seasonal Production

Coordinate production and preparation of seasonal products, including:

• Fall mums and pumpkins
• Poinsettias
• Valentine's Day flowers
• Spring annuals
• Vegetable and herb plants

Staff & Vocational Activities

• Provide daily direction and supervision for employees and individuals      participating in the horticulture program.
• Assign appropriate horticulture tasks based on individual abilities and      interests.
• Teach  and demonstrate proper horticulture techniques.
• Promote meaningful participation and skill development.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and productive work environment.

Sales & Retail Support

• Prepare plants and produce for retail sale.
• Assist with merchandising and maintaining attractive displays.
• Assist customers with basic plant and gardening questions.
• Help maintain inventory and pricing information.
• Assist  with seasonal sales and farmers market activities.
• Provide information and photos for social media and marketing.
• Assist  with pre-orders and special sales events.

Purchasing & Inventory

• Monitor supplies and growing materials.
• Assist  with ordering seeds, plants, soil, pots, fertilizer, and other supplies.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Help identify products and supplies that need to be purchased from outside      vendors.
• Maintain basic production and inventory records.

Facilities & Equipment

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized greenhouse, garden, and work areas.
• Properly use and care for horticulture tools and equipment.
• Identify equipment maintenance and repair needs.
• Assist with irrigation and greenhouse maintenance.
• Ensure tools and equipment are properly stored.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Experience in horticulture, gardening, landscaping, agriculture, greenhouse      production, nursery operations, or a related field.
• Ability and willingness to perform hands-on physical work.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently and manage daily responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Basic computer skills.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Preferred

• Greenhouse or nursery experience.
• Vegetable or produce-growing experience.
• Knowledge of Oklahoma growing conditions.
• Experience operating horticulture equipment.
• Experience supervising or training others.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Basic knowledge of purchasing, inventory, pricing, or retail sales.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is a hands-on horticulture position requiring regular:

• Standing and walking
• Bending and kneeling
• Reaching
• Lifting and carrying
• Planting and transplanting
• Working with soil and growing materials
• Working outdoors
• Working in greenhouse environments

The position may require lifting and moving plants, soil, containers, produce, and equipment.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered consistent with applicable law.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time position.

The work schedule will vary based on seasonal production needs. Additional hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, may be necessary during peak periods such as:

• Spring planting and sales
• Fall mum and pumpkin season
• Christmas/poinsettia sales
• Valentine's Day sales
• Farmers markets and special events

COMPENSATION

$32,000–$35,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Home of Hope offers a comprehensive benefits package in accordance with organizational policies.