Overview

The Business Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the development, planning, day-to-day operations and business expansion of Wheatley Farms Landscaping, and Greenhouse social enterprises. The Business Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring that all services meet the quality standards established by the organization and for maintaining positive customer relations and securing new customers.

Responsibilities

Primary duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of Social Enterprises, including, but not limited to landscaping services, and the Greenhouse.
• Create, monitor, and coordinate daily schedules for all work crews and personnel to ensure that customers receive scheduled services and that crews are productive and deliver quality services.
• Supervise the horticulturist, supervisor, and team leaders of both Landscaping and Greenhouse social enterprises. Select, hire, train, and evaluate staff to ensure that they meet or exceed performance standards.
• Provides professional advice on the selection, ordering, planting, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and turf grasses and ensures all plants remain healthy.
• Ensure the accurate processing of all personnel matters and documentation, including but not limited to time sheets and payroll, time off requests, processing of new hires/status changes/separations, completion of performance reviews, and required staff training and certifications/re-certifications.
• Ensure that all department employees remain in compliance with all required training and certifications, and schedule and provide staff training, as needed. Ensure that all staff are properly trained on the safe and proper use of all equipment, supplies, and materials. Ensure that staff follow all required and recommended safety precautions.
• Ensure high quality services through effective policies and procedures, regular supervision of staff, scheduled and unscheduled observation of goods and services provided to customers, and follow-up on customer feedback, service reviews, and audits.
• Ensure and oversee that all necessary equipment, supplies, and materials are procured and serviced in a timely manner to avoid business interruption and to facilitate business growth. Ensure invoices for purchases are appropriately received, coded, and documented or created. Ensure that equipment, supplies, and materials are secured, monitored, and managed effectively to minimize damage, unnecessary wear and tear, loss/theft, etc.
• Manage the department’s vehicles and equipment, including all required inspections, permits, and repairs. Ensure proper paperwork is transmitted to the Fleet and Transportation Department, as needed.
• Ensure that all required certifications are maintained and renewed prior to expiration dates, including but not limited to those required to provide landscaping services, to operate commercial vehicles and trailers, to apply pesticides, to access town and county dumps, to operate forklifts and other equipment, etc.
• Oversee and ensure the accurate processing of all requests for service, quotes requested and provided, and orders received for new and existing customers.
• Develop, implement, and revise, as needed, policies and procedures for operational and administrative practices to help ensure effective, efficient, and safe operations.
• Assist the Assistant Director as a liaison for all contracts with and proposals to with the New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), including, but not limited to, continuous communication with NYSID representatives regarding customer service inquiries, new and existing contracts, quarterly report information, and compliance reviews.
• Assist the Assistant Director of Social Enterprises in planning, organizing, coordinating, and promoting all social enterprises.
• Assist in the continued growth and development of social enterprises and the creation of new business revenue. Develops initiatives to create a farm to market agribusiness. Researches and attends local markets to sell plants, flowers, and vegetables. Supports the sale of related plants, flowers, vegetables, and garden items. Supports the Giftshop efforts in selling giftshop merchandise in store or at local markets. Works with landscaping crews to beautify properties from plants grown in Greenhouse.
• Provides support to the Assistant Director of Social Enterprises in marketing Greenhouse by taking photos, and short videos to be placed on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram TikToc and LinkedIn.
• Serve as liaison to other departments throughout the organization, other organizations, customers, contracted vendors, and other outside parties as requested and directed.
• Assist in ensuring the health and safety of the people we support and staff members through adherence to agency policies and maintenance of safe work environments.
• Collaborate and support efforts of Business Operations Manager of Catering and Cleaning, including coverage of responsibilities in their absence.
• Perform additional job-related duties as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in horticulture, environmental science, or botany preferred
• Prior experience working in Greenhouse or Nursery required, three (3) or more years’ experience strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills required.
• Strong interpersonal skills required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications required.
• Experience with customer relations, payroll processing, and contract and invoice management required.
• Qualified NYS Driver’s License required.
• Ability to work flex hours, including evenings and weekends, required.

The work generally requires extended periods of standing and walking and will require a moderate amount of bending, and the ability to handle and move merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs. Working outdoors in cold and hot work environments expected.