Plant Operations Manager jobs in Lynchburg, VA

COMPANY PROFILE

The Plant Company (TPC) is a newly established business currently operating in its Phase 1 production facility. Phase 1 encompasses a 5-acre greenhouse facility along with a 1.5-acre production barn. This is a state-of-the-art, controlled environment greenhouse for the sustainable production of tropical indoor foliage plants of consistent and exceptional quality.

We believe that "together we grow stronger", which applies to employees, vendors, and of course customers. The four core values that identify this company are:

1. Caring About People, Plants, and Process
2. Growth Oriented
3. Customer First
4. "Can Do" Attitude

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager of Growing holds a pivotal role in the daily operations of our greenhouse facility to deliver products of exceptional quality to our customers. This is accomplished by setting cultivation standards that are to be uniformly adhered to. They will be responsible for partnering with the Director of Growing to shape the future of the company's growing operations and maintain the company's reputation and high standards. This is a collaborative company in which we all work together to achieve our goals. There may be times when you are asked to lend a hand outside of your main responsibilities.

MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position may involve any of the following:

• Oversee and communicate department budget, budget preparation, and budgetary goals with status updates to the Co-Founder & COO.
• Consistently monitor and report efficiencies, and capacity levels, and perform data analysis on budgetary needs.

• Hires and manages the growing department, and other staff as needed.
• Supports the daily workflow and schedules of the department with the Lead Grower.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees by company policy.

• Conflict management skills, excellent listening skills, and receptive to feedback or constructive criticism.
• Provide feedback on performance and attendance to the team for disciplinary or promotional opportunities.
• Leads by example by exemplifying the values of The Plant Company as a role model for their team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This position may involve any of the following:

• Ensure optimal plant health while maximizing yields.
• Develop, maintain, and execute preventative integrated pest/disease control aimed at keeping crops free of pests and diseases.
• Create, implement, and maintain best practices for plant health and care - paying close attention to different cultivars' specific needs. This includes, but is not limited to, nutritional needs and plant growth control measures.
• Maintain up-to-date culture guides by genus for both internal use and sub-licensees.
• Oversee chemical application schedule based on scouting data on plant growth and insect populations.
• Manage supply inventory for the growing department including chemicals, PPE, and other items of daily or frequent use. Organize orders, submit for approval, and track receivables.
• Plan, create, and manage the daily/weekly work schedules for the growing department.
• Train staff on the operation of the facility's automated tools, such as greenhouse temperature controls, misting, irrigation systems, and other critical infrastructure.
• Train team members on how to collect, analyze, and maintain data relevant to growing operations to aid strategic planning and operational decisions, for example, EC/pH data, insect counts, water sanitation data, etc.
• Teaching, training, and monitoring team member compliance with proper horticulture standards by proactively performing daily inspections of the greenhouse operations.
• Recruit, hire, and train new hires by business needs and allotted budget.
• Effectively deliver feedback by coaching staff and disciplining where appropriate and maintain compliant performance management by adhering to review schedule.
• Attend weekly team meetings to communicate status and directives.
• Submit weekly crop inspection and status reports to leadership/ownership.
• Liaison for vendor visits on behalf of the growing department and responsible for maintaining relationships with horticulture industry partners and vendors.
• Liaison on the Safety Team for the Department of Growing
• Collaborate with HR on core process, SOP creation, and continuous improvement in alignment with entrepreneurial operating system (EOS) standards.
• Serve as a role model and resource for staff about products and services, policies and procedures, industry news, and changes in regulations.

• Other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Proven leadership and management skills
• Strong phone contact handling and active listening skills
• Customer focus and ability to adapt/respond to various personalities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
• Desire to work and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certified Pesticide Applicator (for VA)
• Hoogendoorn AcadeMe Certification(s)
• University of Florida Horticulture Certification(s)
• Management Training and Certification(s)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in horticulture or related field
• 2-4 years of relevant job experience in the horticultural industry, nurseries, or greenhouse growing and facilities
• 2 years of management experience
• Experience in a position requiring critical thinking, problem-solving, planning, and assessment.
• Use of computer software including:
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Automated climate control (IIVO)
  • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred, but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to bend, twist, turn, climb, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the workday.

• Continuously (67% < 100% of the time worked)
• Frequently (34% < 66% of the time worked)
• Occasionally (10% < 33% of the time worked)
• Seldom (1 - 10% of the time worked)
• Not At All (0% of the time worked)

Environmental Conditions:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Bending, stooping, and squatting are involved in the scope of the role.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions, including humidity, and various outdoor temperatures, and tolerate exposure to typical noises and smells associated with the greenhouse.

The Plant Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Plant Company is to extend employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.