Assistant Nursery Manager - South African Restoration Project

About Us

Imperative is a global infrastructure grade nature restoration company that aims to be in the top decile for quality in the carbon projects market. We have a build-own-operate model and specialise in the design, development and operation of carbon credit projects that help combat climate change while promoting biodiversity conservation, economic growth and social development in the countries in which we operate. With a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Nursery Manager to join our dynamic team.

Position Summary 

The Assistant Nursery Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the 20-30 million capacity Spekboom nursery, ensuring efficient and effective production processes, and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. This is a foundational role in a pioneering native forest regeneration project that aims to produce over 300 million native Spekboom plants to restore a planting area of 100,000 hectares, spread over a total project area of more than 1 million hectares. The role manages nursery staff, production activities, inventory, equipment, and infrastructure to support the nursery’s production targets and strategic objectives.

The Assistant Nursery Manager works closely with the Nursery Manager, Horticultural Specialist, and other team members to ensure optimal safe nursery performance and continuous improvement. The role also includes standby duty on a rotational basis with other managers, and attending to the specific requirements of the winter frost season. 

Key Responsibilities

• Health and Safety: Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements across all nursery operations, including external service providers working on site. Conduct regular safety inspections and promote safe working practices. Log all incidents on Isometrix as per policy and arrange regular waste removal from the nursery.
• Operational Management: Oversee daily nursery operations, including production, maintenance, and logistics.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and support nursery staff, allocate tasks, monitor productivity, and provide training and performance evaluations.
• Quality Control: Ensure all plants meet quality standards and implement corrective actions where required. Maintain a robust Plant Quality Index (PQI), applying screening and rogueing at all defined intervention points to ensure the health, vitality, and uniformity of plants.
• Resource and Inventory Management: Manage resources efficiently, including labour, materials, and equipment, to maximize productivity and minimize waste. Oversee stock and inventory accuracy, and maintain stores, fuel stock, and vehicles. Coordinate procurement of nursery supplies.
• Process Improvement: Identify areas for improvement in operational processes and implement changes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Reporting: Maintain accurate records and prepare regular reports on operational performance, including production metrics and resource utilization.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Nursery Manager, Horticultural Specialist, and other team members to ensure seamless operations and achieve nursery goals. Participate in operational planning and review meetings.

Key Performance Areas

• Health and Safety Compliance: Promote and enforce health, safety, and environmental compliance across all nursery operations, including external service providers working on the nursery site. All incidents to be loaded onto Isometrix as per policy. Arrange for regular waste removal from the nursery.
• Operational Performance: Achieve nursery production targets while maintaining operational efficiency and delivering measurable process improvements.
• Team Performance: Nursery staff and SMMEs consistently meet productivity and performance standards, with disciplinary matters escalated to the Nursery Manager promptly.
• Quality Standards: Ensure consistent plant quality (PQI), health, and production standards.
• Resource Efficiency: Optimal use of labour, materials, and equipment with minimal waste, and accurate inventory of plants, trays, and production materials.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance nursery productivity and performance.
• Inventory Management: Maintain accurate inventory levels of plants and trays. Ensure the availability of production materials.
• Reporting Accuracy: Ensure accurate record keeping, reporting, and operational administration.

Desired Attributes and Skills

• Pioneering Spirit: A forward-thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce innovative methods to improve nursery operations and project outcomes.

• Skills: Strong leadership and organizational skills. Good communication and problem-solving skills. Knowledge of nursery operations and plant production. Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, including AI tools.

• Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and navigate the unique challenges of a large-scale, remote project.
• Passion for Conservation: A genuine commitment to environmental restoration and the mission of the project.

Language

• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

Education

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Horticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science, Forestry or a related field (NQF Level 6 or above) is required.

Position Location and Working Conditions         

• Gqeberha or surrounding district, Eastern Cape, South Africa, with occasional travel to field restoration sites, head office in Walmer, and partner facilities.

• This role requires working in both office and outdoor nursery environments.
• Flexibility to work extended hours during peak seasons.
• Weekend work will also be required when necessary.

Values

At Imperative, we are passionate about our values are encourage all team members to embrace them.

• Integrity: We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it and adapt.
• Momentum: Speed matters. We have a bias to action. We think quick, we plan tirelessly, we mitigate risks but above all, we take action.
• Purpose: We are driven by our desire to make the world better, with every interaction, process and project.
• Accountability: We do what we say, and we deliver. We seek to be the best at what we do.
• Collaboration: We celebrate diversity of thought, values and backgrounds and seek to harness the strength of our people and partners to achieve more than we individually can, through teamwork and creativity.
• Tenacity: We are highly ambitious, driven and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.