Farm Manager - Trees & Shrubs

Marders • Bridgehampton, NY

15d • $90,000 - $135,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Farm Manager/Trees & Shrubs is a hands-on leader who ensures the health of our trees from cultivation to final installation. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of arboriculture and nursery management, a passion for soil health, and a proven ability to manage people and complex operations to support our premier landscape services and retail business.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture, Arboriculture, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in large-scale nursery management working with trees and shrubs, or a related field, with a focus on cultivating and handling specimen trees.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team in a physically demanding and dynamic environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of arboriculture, nursery production, soil science, and large-scale composting principles.
• Proficient in the safe operation of heavy equipment, including loaders, skid steers, and tractors.
• Strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly train and direct crew members.
• Direct experience managing both a farm crew and an installation crew.
• Experience working in a nursery production system for five or more years.
• Proficiency in farm management software, inventory systems, and data management tools.
• Strong analytical skills for data-driven decision-making to improve tree growth and nursery productivity
• Knowledge of irrigation systems and technology to ensure water efficiency and tree health.
• Certification as an Arborist (e.g., ISA Certified Arborist) or other relevant certifications in tree care and management.
• Certified Pesticide Applicator License (New York) with knowledge of integrated pest management practices and safe pesticide application.
• Proficiency in using equipment for large tree transplanting (e.g., drum lace).

Nice To Haves

• Continuing education in nursery management, soil health, or related areas is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of approximately 7 employees, including both the farm crew and a small tree installation crew.
• Create and manage daily and weekly schedules for both crews, ensuring all tasks are completed efficiently.
• Directly oversee the small install crew, ensuring all projects involving the planting of specimen trees are executed with precision, adhering to the highest standards for proper planting practices and safety.
• Coordinate all in-house and subcontractor service providers. Following a complete annual care schedule that accounts for the diverse range of plant material. This can include a pruning crew. Can include plant health care applications.
• Oversee all aspects of our specimen tree farm, including planting, irrigation, pruning, fertilizing, pest and disease management, and general nursery maintenance.
• Manage the harvesting of large specimen trees using best practices for root ball preservation and handling, ensuring successful ball and burlap (B-and-B) operations.
• Implement and train the crew on the latest and most effective techniques for planting and staking large trees to ensure their health and long-term success.
• Maintain the highest quality standards for all plant material and ensure it is ready for sale or installation.
• Create and implement a complete care program for all plant material on all farms.
• Understand and implement processes and techniques to ensure all plants are grown to Marders standard of quality.
• Understand and implement the process and coordination of specially grown plants. This could mean sheared hedging sections, topiary shapes, and other forms or growing styles.
• Mastery and implementation of organic growing practices related to growing a range of trees and shrubs used for ornamental landscaping operations.
• Implement and maintain a real-time inventory system with listed retail prices updated on an annual basis for all sales individuals to utilize.
• Manage the entire large-scale compost program, including the intake of raw organic materials, turning and aeration, and monitoring of temperature and moisture to ensure a finished, high-quality product.
• Implement a strategy to use finished compost to improve the soil health of the farm and for use on landscape projects.
• Safely and efficiently operate equipment (e.g., loaders, skid steers, tillers) used in the composting process.
• Knowledge of the compost process to ensure a legitimate product is produced. And clear expertise that ensures a quality product is made.
• Consistent monitoring of wind row temperature and moisture levels inside piles to ensure material is turned with proper timing and handled correctly.
• Knowledge of the process for Regular soil tests of material to ensure batches are legitimate and show proper levels.
• Ensure all farm equipment, including tractors, loaders, chippers, and compressors with air spades, is properly maintained, cleaned, and stored.
• Oversee the upkeep of irrigation systems, greenhouses, and all farm-related infrastructure.
• Ensure all areas of farm properties are presentable and represent company standards.
• Enforce all company safety protocols, including the safe operation of heavy equipment and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ensure all farm and installation operations adhere to local, state, and federal regulations.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience: $90,000 - $135,000
• Excellent benefits package, including 401(k) with company match, PTO, and paid holidays.
• Relocation assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees