Greenhouse Manager Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a greenhouse manager. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a greenhouse manager.
Who is a Greenhouse Manager?
A greenhouse manager is a professional in agriculture who is responsible for the daily operations necessary to run a nursery or greenhouse environment. A greenhouse manager typically controls and directs the staff as well as handles the maintenance and upkeep of greenhouse inventories. Additionally, a greenhouse manager makes sure greenhouse policies and practices are carried out by agricultural, horticultural, and environmental standards. They ensure that plants receive regular fertilization and watering, that temperatures are maintained, and that operations are efficient. You will have a range of plants to grow and care for as a greenhouse manager. You’ll be engaged in pest management, plant breeding, fertilization, irrigation, and harvesting tasks. You might also concentrate on the design and setup of a greenhouse and make use of the numerous irrigation and temperature-controlling equipment and technologies. Keep in mind that a greenhouse must be comfortable for you to function in because it is always warm and humid.
The manager often has a broad selection of trees, flowers, and plants in store, depending on the actual size of the greenhouse. If he doesn’t have enough room, he may bring only types that are indigenous to his region or just one of these three essential greenhouse plants. The greenhouse manager usually keeps relevant supplies of soil, fertilizer, compost, and staking materials once there is a need for them. A greenhouse manager must have extensive knowledge of various plant species to thrive. He should be able to grow, multiply, and, if necessary, harvest a variety of plants. Typically, these consist of vegetation including trees, shrubs, mushrooms, and flowers. Customers look to him for help planning and implementing landscaping plants and gardens.
A greenhouse manager is usually expected to know the best soil components and fertilizers for various plant kinds. He often answers questions regarding the choice and application of fertilizers, pesticides, and disease-control chemicals. Customers will occasionally bring him a sick or dying plant or flower for diagnosis and ideas on how to get it back to health. The manager is generally in charge of the administrative part of the firm in addition to site and plant maintenance. He often is in charge of bookkeeping, advertising, and promotion. If he has employees, he is also responsible for interviewing, employing, and training them. The greenhouse manager frequently updates his team on new methods and plant varieties.
A greenhouse manager is typically expected to be knowledgeable about trends and advancements because consumer tastes vary and new horticultural practices are frequently introduced. He is commonly regarded as an authority in his profession and is often relied upon to offer guidance on plant selection, upkeep, and care. Customers and workers can regularly find computer-based horticulture programs on-site that can respond to questions. You can manage a greenhouse’s administrative and operational aspects in addition to working directly with plants as a greenhouse manager. This may involve sales, marketing, planning, and budgeting. Because they deal with very perishable goods, greenhouses need astute managers who can anticipate and meet the needs of their clients. An associate’s degree in horticulture or a closely related discipline is typically required to become a greenhouse manager. Based on exceptional performance and knowledge, small organizations may promote staff members to the role. A minimum of five years of continuous service with the same employer is often required for an internal promotion.
Greenhouse Manager Job Description
Below are the greenhouse manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a greenhouse manager include the following:
- Organize and give the personnel at the nursery instructions on how to grow and gather trees, flowers, shrubs, and other plants.
- Manage, oversee, and give instructions to greenhouse or nursery employees while they carry out their nursery duties.
- Oversee soil testing for growing particular plants or flowers.
- Give the nursery staff instruction on nursery management matters.
- Create creative ways to cultivate plants, shrubs, or flowers.
- oversee and enhance the nursery’s everyday operations.
- Open the nursery in the morning and close it at the end of the working day.
- Employ and educate nursery employees.
- Make a staff work schedule and assign tasks.
- Purchase nursery supplies such as dirt, rocks, fertilizer, shrubs, plants, and trees.
- Grow plants, trees, and shrubs for stock.
- Inspect the soil’s health, plant locations, and watering schedules.
- Monitor the weather, paying special attention to extremes of heat or cold.
- Make attractive plant and yard displays.
- Discuss departmental budgets and costs with other managers within the organization.
- Keep track of personnel information, including hiring, firing, and performance reviews.
- Ascertain that the greenhouse complies with all laws and rules governing pollution, waste management, and energy use.
- Create reports on greenhouse operations and deliver them to managers
- Create a budget for the operation of the greenhouse based on anticipated sales numbers, labour requirements, and operational expenses.
- Ensure that greenhouse personnel is performing their daily duties competently by keeping an eye on them.
- Manage greenhouse construction or remodelling projects, including hiring subcontractors and choosing contractors, as well as keeping an eye on the job site.
- Create and enforce safety regulations and procedures to ensure the security of greenhouse staff.
- Work with architects and engineers to create greenhouse building plans that adhere to regional building rules and industry best practices.
- Answer consumer inquiries and lend a hand to the nursery staff.
- Defend nursery plants against pests, weeds, illnesses, and insects.
- Organize your purchases of seeds, plant nutrition, and drugs for preventing disease.
- Control the irrigation system to guarantee that plants receive adequate water.
- Check plants regularly for pests and diseases, and treat or eliminate any that are found.
- Fertilize plants as needed, utilizing both chemical and organic approaches.
- Prune plants as needed to promote growth and increase harvests.
- Schedule the harvest of your fruits and veggies, and make sure they get stored and delivered to markets safely.
- Keep thorough records of all aspects of plant care, such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, and disease and insect control.
- Keep the workspace neat and orderly to protect the safety of all workers.
- Monitor and make adjustments to the greenhouse’s temperature, humidity, ventilation, and lighting systems to provide the best growing circumstances for plants.
- Place orders for goods to keep adequate inventory levels as necessary.
- Teach new hires how to properly maintain greenhouses and take care of plants
- Create and put into action a plan to increase the greenhouse operation.
- Develop and implement marketing campaigns for greenhouse goods in collaboration with the marketing team.
- Keep nursery care equipment in good working order.
- Create nursery exhibitions, shows, and events.
- Apply the best practices for nursery management.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in agricultural studies, horticulture, or a similar discipline.
- At least 3 years of experience working as a greenhouse manager, nursery manager or a similar role.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Familiarity with POS and stock ordering software procedures is required.
- Must have a professional and friendly demeanour.
- Thorough knowledge of plant production, soil, fertilizers, and growth strategies.
- Hiring and training staff experience.
- Must be able to create work rosters and delegate duties.
- In-depth knowledge of plants, and the ability to recognize common pests and diseases of plants.
- Practical knowledge of irrigation systems and hydroponics
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds often and stand for long periods
- Excellent customer service, and time-management skills
Essential Skills
- Leadership skills: Greenhouse managers typically possess great leadership qualities, which they apply to lead and encourage their staff to progress. You may have to delegate duties, assign responsibilities, and give instructions to your staff as the greenhouse manager. Your team can learn and develop when you use your leadership skills to motivate them.
- Communications skills: Greenhouse managers regularly interact with staff members and supervisors to provide information about the operations of the greenhouse. To discuss greenhouse products and negotiate contracts, they also interact with clients and suppliers. They should also be very good communicators both orally and in writing so they can explain difficult information in a way that is simple to comprehend. As presentations and speeches are regularly offered by greenhouse managers at public events, having experience speaking in front of an audience is also a vital ability. Greenhouse managers who have strong communication skills will be able to answer queries from staff and customers and present information.
- Organizational skills: Great organizational skills that greenhouse managers frequently possess aid them in managing their many duties and responsibilities. Strong organizational skills can enable greenhouse managers to assign responsibilities to team members. With the use of their organizational skills, they might be able to assign duties to particular employees based on their strengths and deficiencies.
- Plant growth and development knowledge: Greenhouse managers need to have a comprehensive knowledge of the concepts underlying plant development and growth. This knowledge includes understanding how plants develop in various habitats, such as soil or water, and what influences their rate of development. Greenhouse managers also need to be knowledgeable about the several phases of plant development, such as germination, flowering, and fruiting. Greenhouse managers need to be aware of this information so they can choose which crops to plant and when to harvest them. All this knowledge and understanding would aid in the identification of concerns and the creation of remedies for challenges that may arise during the growth process.
- Problem-solving: A greenhouse manager is in charge of a greenhouse’s daily operations, which may include hiring and dismissing employees, keeping the greenhouse’s budget in order, making sure the greenhouse complies with safety laws, and more. To preserve the productivity and efficiency of the greenhouse, a manager needs to be able to solve difficulties.
- Computer skills: Greenhouse managers must be proficient with computers and other office equipment. To keep track of inventory and sales, manage staff, and monitor any elements in the greenhouse environment that can have an impact on plant growth, they often use spreadsheets, databases, and other software tools. Having a website where they may advertise their goods and services is important for greenhouse managers. They can enhance sales and client reach by having an online presence.
- Teamwork skills: Greenhouse managers need to be excellent team players because they often supervise a group of workers. This guarantees that they can successfully and efficiently manage their workforce. To make sure the greenhouse operations at your organization function effectively, you might need to work with other managers as a greenhouse manager.
How to Become a Greenhouse Manager
Step 1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree
For greenhouse managers, a bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum. Your education in horticulture or agriculture will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in a greenhouse. Plant science, botany, soil science, entomology, ornamental horticulture, floriculture, landscape design and management, irrigation systems, and greenhouse construction are among the courses you could take to earn your degree. If you wish to enhance your career in this profession, you can also think about getting a master’s degree. Some employers prefer applicants with master’s degrees.
Step 2. Acquire work experience
It’s crucial to obtain experience working in an agricultural setting before pursuing a career as a greenhouse manager. An internship or apprenticeship in a local horticulture facility can be used to achieve this. Apprenticeships are frequently compensated professions that provide you with the chance to learn from seasoned managers and workers while obtaining practical experience. Working as a seasonal employee at a greenhouse is an additional alternative for gaining experience. Seasonal workers often work in the spring and summer, which are the seasons of greatest greenhouse activity. You may engage with clients and hone your interpersonal skills while working as a seasonal employee, both of which are necessary for success as a greenhouse manager. On-the-job training is often provided to greenhouse managers during their initial few months of work. The specific growing practices used in the greenhouse may be covered in this training. Learning how to operate the digital equipment and software in the greenhouse may also be included in the training.
Step 3. Obtain certifications and licensure.
For the majority of greenhouse management roles, a valid driver’s license is necessary. If you need to visit suppliers and merchants or drive between different greenhouses, you may need a vehicle. Having your means of transportation might also be useful when you need to coordinate volunteers or transport staff. Greenhouse managers can earn additional certificates that attest to their proficiency in a variety of job-related areas.
Where to Work as a Greenhouse Manager
Greenhouse managers work in Research companies, Universities, Nursery plant wholesalers and Agricultural organizations. They typically work standard business hours during the day and may need to be on call every time to attend to customers and respond to emergencies. Greenhouse managers work in greenhouses, which are typically hot, humid, and noisy. They may be exposed to chemicals and other hazardous substances. They may be required to lift and carry heavy objects often.
Greenhouse Manager Salary Scale
The salary scale of greenhouse managers varies depending on some factors such as their level of education, years of experience, the employer, the size, and the location of the company. They may also earn extra pay like bonuses. In the United Kingdom, the average salary for a greenhouse manager is £37,000. This amount varies between £25,000 and £52,000 per year.
The base salary for a Greenhouse Manager ranges from $40,718 to $60,344 with the average base salary of $49,171 per year in the US. The salaries of Greenhouse Managers in Canada range from $33,110 to $113,140, with a median salary of $62,685 per year. In Nigeria, these managers earn about 2,780,000 NGN per year, with around 1,350,000 NGN and 3,155,000 NGN per year as the pay scale.