Horticultural Director – Sustainability – Eastern Cape

Looking for an opportunity to (quite literally) make a positive impact on the environment and lead the development of a world-class nursery that is going to feed into a carbon offset program driven by an international firm dead set on making a difference to global net-zero goals? We are seeking an experienced Horticultural Director to oversee the establishment and operation of a cutting-edge indigenous nursery in the heart of the Eastern Cape. As the Nursery Director, you'll be responsible for managing a team of green-thumbed experts and bringing our client’s world-class nursery to life. With your expertise in plant propagation and horticulture, you'll be the driving force behind their efforts to produce millions of high-quality plant cuttings every month. To give you a hint, our client is going to be establishing an astounding facility equipped with state-of-the-art automated machinery plants, producing 20+ million seedlings annually – and you are going to be the professional to bring the entire project to life... from the ground up.

We are seeking a Horticultural Director with experience in running a large nursery in an agricultural complex, to oversee the establishment and operation of the largest nursery in South Africa. Therefore, as the ideal candidate you will be equipped with a master’s degree in Agricultural Science/Horticulture Science and will have experience managing contractors in the construction of a nursery and optimizing efficiency once operational, your familiarity with production machines will be highly beneficial in this role. Your track record of managing large-scale nurseries proves that you are capable of effectively handling high production volumes. You consider yourself to be a rational, meticulous, self-reliant, and analytical individual, you are capable of coordinating and prioritizing multiple tasks simultaneously, maintaining accurate records, and managing inventory efficiently. The international team you will be working with are well-educated individuals with a problem-solving attitude, they believe in tackling tough challenges and taking responsibility to see through projects to the end. You will be someone who possesses strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise and guide a team of 20 – 50 personnel effectively and has made successful crossroads at fostering a positive work environment and ensuring optimal performance through your level 5 leadership skills. As the Nursery Director, you will be responsible for managing a team of horticulturalists, supervisors, machine operators, and laborers to produce millions of high-quality plant cuttings per month. This is your chance to showcase your exceptional leadership skills and take on a role that will allow you to make a real difference in the world. Your key technical skills include sound contractual administration abilities, strong digital literacy, as well as the exceptional ability to gather, analyse, and present data and information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring accurate and insightful reporting for informed decision-making. Additionally, as the ideal candidate, you should have excellent communication skills, both at the executive level and in the field, as well as the ability to lead the execution and planning of major projects. We are looking for professionals who can speak directly to their responsibilities on projects and the achievements thereof, you must be able to carefully articulate your thoughts and the direct impacts your efforts have made on your project successes.

You demonstrate a high level of personal integrity, and you are passionate about making a positive difference in the world. You must have strong communication skills, as well as sound project management and implementation skills. We need to know all about how you have executed project management activities according to tight deadlines and stringent scopes – due diligence and risk mitigation are KEY. Your engagements with stakeholders and staff are objective and neutral. You embrace the diversity of thought and values and seek to harness the strength of your team to achieve more than they individually can through teamwork and creativity. Furthermore, you are highly ambitious and driven by your desire to make a sustainable impact in the world.

This is your chance to put down roots in a role that offers endless opportunities for growth and development. Whether you're an experienced seedling whisperer or a budding horticulturalist, we want to hear from you! Apply now to become our client’s Horticulture Director and help us cultivate a brighter tomorrow.

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• Master’s in Agricultural Science from an internationally recognized university; or
• Master’s in International Horticultural Science
• Membership of the Seedling Growers Association of South Africa (SGASA) is preferable

• Approximately 9 - 15 years of experience in developing and managing large-scale nurseries
• Proficiency in overseeing agroforestry nurseries, including the cultivation of various tree species and the integration of agriculture and forestry practices
• Project management experience is non-negotiable
• Exhibited proficiency in being proactive and taking charge of a challenging task
• Sound understanding of contract management is essential when working with contractors to design and construct the seedling nursery
• Experience in the design and construction of nursery facilities, including layout planning, infrastructure development, and implementation of effective management systems
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in managing citrus nurseries, including cultivation, propagation, and maintenance practices specific to citrus trees

The Nursery Director will have complete accountability for the successful establishment and operation of the nursery, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints, timely delivery, and meeting predetermined quality and performance indicators. Overseeing all aspects of the nursery establishment and operation, ensuring efficient processes, resource allocation, and adherence to quality standards. Implementing and maintaining rigorous quality control processes, including regular inspections, testing, and monitoring, to ensure the production of healthy and high-quality seedling Supervising staff, development, and enforcement of protocols and procedures. Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to foster productive relationships and promote the nursery's interests

• Proficiency in English
• Fluency in Afrikaans is highly preferable, and isiXhosa is preferable