Garden Center Grower / Manager

About

At Franz Witte, we are more than just a garden center. We are a destination. Founded in 1971, Franz Witte has spent more than 50 years creating timeless landscapes, quality construction, and meaningful experiences for our guests. We are passionate about our craft, our people, and the community we call home. Our culture is built on relationships, leadership, hard work, and excellence, and we proudly stand out as the only landscaping and nursery company in Idaho with a flamingo as our mascot.

If you are looking for a team that works hard, supports one another, and has fun along the way, we would love to meet you.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and dedicated grower with experience managing a Cut Flower Garden or farm as well as some container production experience to oversee the day-to-day operations of our cut flower farm and seasonal growing operations in the Garden Center. You will have a deep understanding of horticulture, strong leadership skills, and be highly organized. You will be responsible for the planning, planting, growing, harvesting, and managing of high-quality cut flowers, annuals, perennials, and other crops that align with our standards of excellence. This is a year-round position that will support Garden Center activities during the winter months as well as plan and prepare for the growing season.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Planning & Management:

Develop and implement seasonally appropriate cut flower production plans, including planting schedules, crop rotations, succession-planting, and field management strategies.

Develop and implement production schedules for finished containers to include but not limited to the following crops: Tomatoes, Peppers, Annuals, Perennials, Roses and mixed annual baskets and containers

Keep quality production notes to ensure we are continuously improving our results and production systems

Create and Mainatin digital scheduling/planning systems

Responsible for managing detailed and accurate inventory of all items produced

Planting & Harvesting: 

Oversee all planting, weeding, watering, pruning, and pest management tasks of FWLC grown crops

Coordinate with other garden center managers and team members to assemble and deliver finished crops to retail sales

Crop Care & Maintenance: 

Ensure proper care of all plants in production, including irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and disease prevention using sustainable and organic methods when possible.

Manage greenhouse environments to maintain optimum growing conditions for crops

Team Leadership:

Lead and train a team of seasonal or permanent staff, ensuring proper fieldwork techniques, safety standards, and an efficient workflow are executed

Budget Management:

Work with Division Management to develop budgets for all growing operations, including costs for labor, supplies, and equipment. Track and control expenses to stay within the budget targets.

Customer Engagement: 

Collaborate with the sales and marketing team to meet market demand for flowers, manage wholesale and retail orders, and participate in seasonal events, workshops, or farmers’ markets. Ensure a steady supply of high-quality flowers for both events and customer sales.

May need to assist retail sales team with shifts on the sales floor delivering exceptional customer service and sales experience using FWLC POS system.

Innovation & Research:

Stay up to date with industry trends, plant varieties, and techniques to continuously improve the farm's performance. Experiment with new flower varieties, growing methods, and tools.

Qualifications:

Horticultural Knowledge:

Strong understanding of flower varieties, growing conditions, production systems and pest management, preferably with experience in cut flower farming.

Licenses & Certification:

ISDA Applicators License – OP (Formerly OH and OI)

Experience:

Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in horticulture, agriculture, or garden management, with a focus on flower production.

Leadership Skills: 

Proven ability to manage a team, delegate tasks, and lead by example in the field.

Attention to Detail: 

Keen eye for quality control and plant health, ensuring consistent flower quality.

Physical Stamina:

Ability to perform physical work in various weather conditions, including lifting, bending, and working long hours during peak seasons. Must be able to lift up to 50lbs.

Problem-solving Skills:

Ability to troubleshoot challenges related to plant health, weather conditions, and labor management.

Communication Skills:

Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with team members, management, and customers.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Degree in horticulture, agriculture, or related field.

- Experience in organic farming practices or sustainable agriculture.

- Familiarity with irrigation systems, farm equipment, and greenhouse operations.

- A creative eye for floral design or garden aesthetics.

- Experience managing container growing operations

Benefits Include: Medical, Life, Vision, Dental, STD, Accident, Critical Care, 401K with company match, PTO (Paid Time Off), 529 Education Plan, Employee Discount.