Operations Manager

PRT•Hubbard, OR

28d•$61,600 - $77,000•Onsite

About The Position

PRT is seeking a full-time Forest Seedling Operations Manager to be based in Hubbard, Oregon, at PRT Hubbard. The Operations Manager is responsible for the planning, organizing, and control of the daily activities involved in seedling production. This includes directing personnel in accordance with operational work plans and cultural requirements and continuous oversight and review of nursery productivity to improve or remove any unnecessary labour and waste from the system.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or diploma in horticulture, agriculture, or forestry (or equivalent experience)
3+ years of hands-on experience in nursery operations, with a proven track record of leadership and team management.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to make sound judgments under pressure.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite and a willingness to learn our proprietary inventory management and shipping system.
Ability to problem solve and conduct root cause analysis
A genuine passion for growing things and a deep understanding that this is a way of life, not a 9-to-5 job.

Responsibilities

Work closely with the Nursery Manager, crop production team and Maintenance Supervisor to achieve the production of cost-effective crops of the requested quality and quantity.
Develop and implement a nursery operational work plan to meet the cultural plan as set out by the crop production team, this includes: determining, setting and monitoring rates and targets of productivity, analysis of planned to actual results, make recommendations for sow factor and oversow adjustments to meet operational targets, budgeting of nursery operational activities, ordering and coordination of material requirements.
Development and implementation of the nursery cultural plan in consultation with nursery staff including: setting growing media specifications; making recommendations for appropriate oversow factors on the basis of germination capacities and stock specifications; definition and application of growing and fertigation regimes on the basis of nursery-specific growth records and curves; modifying cultural schedules, as required; pest monitoring and management programs; appropriate conditioning and hardening regimes; quality control and monitoring program.
Overseeing and directing the growing team on a day-to-day basis, and including: Adherence to safe work practices; hiring and terminating of growing team personnel; training and career development; disciplinary and other issues.
Development and implementation of a crop history data base.
Lead and provide support by building solid relationships with team members, provide on-going coaching, and feedback. Motivate and support employees to ensure optimum engagement levels. Understand and address individual motivational needs, concerns and challenges.
Maintenance and implementation of an effective risk management plan.
Assist in preparation and implementation of a preventative maintenance program.
Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in the nursery’s day-to-day operations.
Substituting for the Nursery Manager in their absence.
Other duties as may be required from time to time.
Encourage innovation and continuous improvement.
Promote collaboration and teamwork at all levels.
Set targets (i.e., production, timelines) and evaluate achievement.