Employment Opportunities

Dig Plant Company is seeking an experienced Nursery & Greenhouse Operations Manager to lead our startup young plant production operation. This is a full-time, on-site position at our ornamental plant nursery & greenhouse facility in Greeleyville, South Carolina. The Manager will oversee all facets of our production operation, from staff recruitment and hiring to production planning and implementation.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starting nursery and greenhouse professional with management experience and a deep understanding of plant propagation and production; someone that is not afraid of hard work and is eager to pitch in, get dirty, or otherwise do what is necessary to accomplish daily tasks and achieve our overarching goals.

The Company

Dig Plant Company is a New Plant Introductions company that specializes in the commercialization and promotion of improved ornamental plant and turfgrass cultivars developed by plant breeders around the world.  We work with turf farms, nurseries, and greenhouses throughout the United States and abroad to bring these new and unique plants to market. After more than 20 years in the plant introduction space, Dig is now expanding into young plant production (plugs and liners) at our farm in Greeleyville, South Carolina.

The Position

With assistance from the General Manager and Farm Manager, the Nursery & Greenhouse Operations Manager will manage all facets of our new young plant propagation and production operation: all aspects of ornamental plant propagation and production, staff recruitment/training/management, purchasing, budgeting and forecasting, facilities maintenance, construction of nursery and greenhouse structures as the need arises, and all other tasks related to operating a successful nursery and greenhouse enterprise.  This is a startup operation, so the manager will need to be very ‘hands on’ until such time as additional field staff are recruited into the operation.

This position is primarily outdoors but will also require work within an office environment for administrative duties, which will necessitate the use of computers and standard office equipment. Fluency to read, write, and understand the English language is required. Must be able to work in all outdoor elements, including but not limited to the weather elements, dust, and allergens. The position requires moderate physical ability for long periods of standing, squatting, lifting, sitting, stooping, bending, reaching, kneeling, and twisting on a regular basis to fulfill essential duties. Ability to use fine motor skills, such as pinching, squeezing, and pulling. Candidate may be required to enter confined spaces for certain tasks as well as be required to work at heights over 5 feet.

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Planning and implementation of production plans to include crop selection, budgeting, and forecasting
• Planning, implementation, and management of fertility programs and integrated pest management strategies
• Establish best management practices for all crops while monitoring and evaluating the greenhouse production processes for quality and efficiency.
• Management of growing conditions and environmental controls in the greenhouses
• Recruit and hire greenhouse staff
• Direct, guide, and educate greenhouse staff, i.e. establishing daily assignments and priorities for all nursery and greenhouse staff
• Create and maintain accurate and organized records, files, and inventories
• Expand job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, maintaining personal and professional networks, and joining professional organizations, where appropriate
• Responsible for creating and/or managing within a budget, including business enterprise planning, capital expenditure planning and program development
• Oversee or otherwise perform the following tasks:
  • Plant propagation, potting, and maintenance of plants in the greenhouses, outdoor growing pads, and fields
  • Assess plant health daily to identify any disease issues, insect infestations, or other abnormalities (i.e. crop scouting)
  • Application of plant health and pest control chemical products in accordance with government regulations and company safety procedures
  • Facilities landscape maintenance: planting, mowing, pruning, spraying, and irrigating
  • Basic facilities maintenance: cleaning work areas, maintaining grounds, and landscaping
  • Handling and moving containerized plants; prepare and package plants for shipments
  • Operating some machinery and power equipment
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of turf and ornamental plant trials
• Assist in the construction and maintenance of nursery and greenhouse structures and systems

Minimum Employment Requirements:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have your own transportation
• Good verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Able to complete repeated standing tasks for long periods of time
• Flexibility regarding hours and overall work schedule
• Able to handle physical activity such as lifting, loading, and unloading large plants and equipment
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.; 35 lbs. repetitively without assistance
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently as the task requires
• Qualified applicants may be subject to background checks and drug testing

Specific Job Qualifications:

• An associates degree or higher in the horticultural sciences, or a related field of study. Formal education requirements may be negated for candidates with more than 2 years of nursery and greenhouse management experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in wholesale nursery and greenhouse propagation and production
• Minimum of 2 years in a management role in wholesale nursery and greenhouse propagation and production
• Experience working with basic science concepts related to ornamental horticulture
• Strong organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills
• Organized, creative, adaptable, and detail-oriented
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic
• MUST be willing to lead by example, to assist in or otherwise perform what may be considered menial tasks when and where needed, and to ‘get your hands dirty’ if that is what is required to complete certain tasks or otherwise achieve our goals.
• Comfortable with financial data and budgeting
• Basic understanding of and proficiency with the Microsoft Office software suite.
• The ability to operate machinery and power equipment

Compensation

Dig Plant Company is offering full and part time employment at our ornamental plant nursery & greenhouse operation in Greeleyville, SC. 

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Some heavy lifting of plants and materials.
• Planting and caring for plants in the greenhouse and fields.
• Operating some machinery and equipment.
• Moving containerized plants, shrubs and trees.
• Plant, spray, weed, fertilize and water plants at the direction of the production manager.
• Clean work areas and maintain grounds and landscaping.
• Prepare and package plants for shipments.

Applicants should be able-bodied, able to lift 50 pounds, able and willing to work outdoors for extended periods of time, and have some experience in agriculture work (with nursery or greenhouse experience being a plus). 

Qualified applicants will be subject to background checks and drug testing.

Benefits will include:

• Paid time off (full time positions)
• Flexible hours (part time positions)
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• On the job training
• Opportunities to advance into other roles within the company
  

Starting pay for part-time workers will be from $12 to 18/hr. depending on the applicants experience and skill-set. 

Dig Plant Company has a part-time Marketing Coordinator position available in our office in Greeleyville, SC.  The right candidate may have the opportunity to work remotely.

We are a New Plant Introductions Agency and Nursery which specializes in the development, introduction and promotion of the patented ornamental plants and turfgrass varieties under our management.

Duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Graphic design
• Creating and editing short promotional videos
• Assist in exploring and managing relevant social media platforms
  
• Creating and distributing press releases, advertorials and the likes
• Assist in creating and managing an editorial calendar to ensure content is timely, relevant and engaging
• In cooperation with management, draft e-newsletters and blog post content, and distribute accordingly
• Assist with website copywriting, proofing, and updating as needed
• Planning and managing trade shows, conferences, events and meetings by identifying, coordinating and assembling requirements, developing assignments and schedules, coordinating mailing lists and establishing contacts
• Maintaining an inventory and directory of sales support materials and making sure all resources are accurate and current while coordinating new material creation as needed

Benefits will include:

• On the job training
• Opportunities to advance into a full-time role with the company

Applicants should have:

• Formal training/education in marketing or a minimum of two years marketing experience; or some combination thereof
• Proficiency in the Adobe design suite
• Proficiency in minor video production and editing
• The ability to take initiative
• Employ good judgement
• Manage projects from beginning to end
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills
• Exceptional ability to manage details
• The ability to meet deadlines and anticipate next steps or needs
• Ability to understand or ability to learn emerging platforms, digital media, and web/social media management and measurement tools

Starting pay will depend on the applicants experience and skill set.

Additionally, the applicant must have strong communication skills, be organized, be capable of utilizing the Microsoft Office suite of computer programs and have reliable transportation.  Nursery and agriculture experience is a plus. 

Qualified applicants may be subject to background checks and drug testing.

Dig Plant Company is a New Plant Introductions Agency  which specializes in the representation of plant breeders in the development, introduction and promotion of their patented ornamental plants and turfgrass varieties. 

Dig Plant Company is seeking a full-time Business Development Representative to promote the plant varieties under our management to wholesale nurseries, greenhouses and turf farms throughout the United States.  Additionally, the Business Development Representative will, when and where appropriate, promote our plant varieties to landscape design professionals, home builders, and other business entities that have the potential to specify ornamental plants and turfgrass varieties in landscape design plans.  The position requires approximately 35-50% travel.  The ideal candidate should be based in the PeeDee or Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Duties will include, but are not be limited to:

• Semi-regular visits to prospective and current partner growers to provide product support for our patent plant varieties and also to promote new plant varieties to these growers.
  
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the ornamental horticulture industry and the plants under the company's management
  
• Emphasize the features of plants under management to highlight how they solve a partners/growers problems, and also answer growers' and landscape professionals' questions about plants under management
• On occasion, visit landscape sites where our varieties have been or may be specified, in order to provide technical assistance to the suppliers and landscape professionals involved. 
• Continually seek and research new sources of prospective partner growers while providing recommendations to marketing and sales leadership
• Identify prospective partner growers and establish a strong rapport
• Regularly communicate with partner growers to determine and address their ongoing needs
• Maintain contact lists and databases and conduct regular follow up to cultivate long-lasting relationships
• Demonstrate self-assurance in communicating with partner growers
• Create and maintain accurate records and sales reports
• Handling and resolving partner grower requests, questions and complaints
• With the assistance of management, develop and execute strategies to achieve set business targets
• Leverage partner grower referrals
• Stay abreast of industry news and events

Job Qualifications:

• A Bachelors of Science in the horticultural sciences, or a minimum of five years of experience in the ornamental greenhouse & nursery industry, or some combination thereof; compensation is commensurate with experience
  
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to rent vehicles while traveling
• Impeccable interpersonal, organizational and leadership skills.
• Must be a self-starter, with strong time management skills
  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• A strong understanding of sales, including prospecting, presenting and negotiating
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of computer tools and applications

Benefits will include:

• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Healthcare compensation
  
• Paid time off
• On the job training
• Opportunities to advance into other roles within the company

Starting pay will depend on the applicants experience and skill set, but this position is intended for an entry-level or post-entry-level candidate.  Commissions and bonuses available.

Qualified applicants may be subject to background checks and drug testing.