What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nursery Manager position at Suncrest Gardens Inc?
About Suncrest:
Since 1976, Suncrest has been providing beautiful plants and landscapes with the help of our team of Horticultural Superheroes. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality plants, exceptional customer service, and expert gardening advice. With a wide selection of plants, garden supplies, and home décor, we offer customers a one-stop shop for enhancing their homes inside and out. Our culture fosters acceptance, appreciation, and a warm, friendly team atmosphere.
We are currently seeking a knowledgeable and dedicated Nursery Manager to lead our nursery operations, including plant care, customer service, merchandising, inventory oversight, purchasing, vendor relations, and staff leadership.
Position Overview:
The Nursery Manager oversees the daily operations of the nursery department, ensuring healthy plant inventory, proper merchandising, strong sales performance, and exceptional customer service. This role requires hands-on horticultural knowledge, strong organizational and leadership abilities, and the capability to manage staff, purchasing, workflow, and facility upkeep in a retail environment.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage, schedule, and supervise full-time and seasonal nursery staff.
- Train and mentor team members in horticulture, customer service, and operational procedures.
- Use operating software for scheduling, inventory tasks, and workflow coordination.
- Oversee the care and health of nursery stock including trees, shrubs, annuals, and specialty plants.
- Perform routine plant maintenance such as watering, spacing, grooming, fertilizing and health monitoring.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and operate irrigation systems.
- Organize nursery layout, displays, and merchandising to reflect seasonal needs and company standards.
- Manage purchasing and inventory planning for all nursery products.
- Maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure quality and availability of plant material.
- Assist with marketing through displays, promotions, and featured product selections.
- Provide expert horticultural advice and assist customers with plant selection and landscape-related decisions.
- Complete sales transactions following company procedures.
- Perform general facility upkeep and basic handyman tasks.
- Ensure a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
- Work weekends and extended hours during peak seasons as required.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Associate degree in Horticulture preferred, with emphasis on woody ornamentals and nursery plant care.
- 3–5 years of horticultural sales experience in a garden center, greenhouse, or nursery.
- Required hands-on experience in the garden center, greenhouse, or nursery industry.
- Familiarity with pest and disease identification and effective plant health solutions.
- Strong plant identification skills and general plant health knowledge.
- Strong leadership abilities with the capability to motivate and guide team members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Basic computer skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Flexibility to work 40 hours per week, and up to 50–55 hours during peak seasons.
- Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.