Lead Horticulturist

Head Grower - Horticulture
Location: California
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: 120k-150k DOE

About the Role
Our client, a leading provider of high-quality plant material with multiple production sites across California, is seeking an experienced Head Grower (Lead Horticulturist) to oversee and lead all aspects of horticultural production. This is a pivotal role responsible for ensuring quality, innovation, and operational excellence across diverse growing environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise daily operations across multiple growing yards, ensuring efficiency and coordination across teams.
• Provide direction to managers and staff to maintain workflow, quality standards, and production consistency.
• Maintain production levels that meet sales demand, cost targets, and quality benchmarks.
• Ensure only optimal plant quality is produced and shipped.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training programs, and safety protocols.
• Manage production forecasts and budgets, working closely with executive leadership.
• Oversee inventory management, ensuring accuracy, proper labeling, and timely transfers of plant materials.
• Partner with the sales team to align production with market demand and support forecasting efforts.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with agricultural regulations, pesticide use, safety standards, and worker training.
• Stay current on industry trends, applying innovative cultivation methods, integrated pest management (IPM), and automation practices to improve plant health and efficiency.

Requirements

• Proven horticulture experience (propagation, cultivation, irrigation, fertilization, pest management).
• Minimum 5 years of strong leadership and supervisory experience in horticultural production.
• Experience managing multi-location growing operations.
• Knowledge of agricultural regulations, safety standards, and pesticide compliance.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Degree in Horticulture/Ornamental Horticulture (preferred).
• Certified Arborist (preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and horticulture/inventory management software.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental, Health, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay