Job description
VerdantLeaf Nurseries is seeking a seasoned Greenhouse Operations Manager to lead our cultivation programs in Salinas, California. This role blends strategic oversight with hands-on leadership to optimize plant health, improve yields, and drive sustainable production.
You will collaborate with breeding, propagation, and sales teams to scale successful varieties, implement best-in-class cultivation protocols, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across all greenhouse operations.
Responsibility
- Oversee all greenhouse operations including climate control, irrigation, fertigation, pruning, sanitation, and record-keeping.
- Develop and implement cultivation protocols to maximize yield, quality, and uniformity across crops.
- Lead staffing, training, scheduling, safety, and performance management for a multi-disciplinary horticulture team.
- Monitor and analyze KPIs such as yield per square meter, water-use efficiency, energy consumption, and pest incidence; drive evidence-based improvements.
- Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and phytosanitary regulations; maintain accurate pesticide logs and chemical inventories.
- Collaborate with breeding and product development to scale new varieties and run trial plots in controlled environments.
- Manage procurement, budgeting, vendor relationships, and inventory control for nutrients, substrates, and equipment.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agronomy, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of greenhouse/horticulture operations experience with demonstrated leadership.
- Strong knowledge of climate control systems, irrigation, fertigation, nutrient management, and IPM.
- Experience with data-driven decision making and farm management software.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends during peak production periods.