Horticultural Manager
About the organization
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. The goal is to grow a successful year-round horticulture operation while creating meaningful work opportunities for the people served.
About the role
Blooms Horticulture is seeking a Horticulture Manager to oversee the day-to-day production and operations of the 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 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.
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, and 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
Required qualifications
- 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 qualifications
- 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