Trainee Nursery Manager

Job Description & Role Profile

Department: Nursery Operations, Phoenix Herbal Centre

Age range: 18–25 years (intended for school leavers wanting to build a career in agriculture and horticulture)

Experience and qualifications: Not required. Training will be provided.

Initial training period: Paid training, with progression based on demonstrated competence

Employment pathway: Intended progression towards permanent Nursery Manager employment

Working arrangement: Progressively increasing working days, with the aim of reaching five days per week

Location: Phoenix Herbal Centre, operating on the same premises as CannaMazing in Alberton, Mayberry Park.

1. Position Overview

The Trainee Nursery Manager is a hands-on development role designed to prepare a young adult to manage the day-to-day operations of the Phoenix Herbal Centre nursery.

The role combines practical horticulture, plant propagation, seedling production, seasonal planning, production scheduling, stock management, demand forecasting and the gradual assumption of full nursery management responsibility.

Phoenix Herbal Centre grows vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs, ornamental plants, fruit trees and other useful plants. Managing this variety requires more than knowing how to care for plants. It requires planning ahead, understanding seasonal growing cycles, maintaining appropriate production levels and ensuring that stock is available when needed.

During the training period, you will learn the nursery’s systems, procedures and production requirements while actively participating in daily activities.

As your knowledge and competence develop, you will take on increasing responsibility for planning production, monitoring plant health, managing stock, tracking targets and coordinating nursery operations.

The objective is to develop the practical knowledge, confidence and management competence required to take responsibility for the nursery.

Our guiding principle is:

Plan ahead. Grow efficiently. Stay ahead of demand.

We value practical thinking, accurate records, effective planning and continuous improvement. You are encouraged to identify problems, anticipate requirements and provide feedback that helps improve nursery production and operations.

2. The Training & Development Programme

The training pathway combines paid practical learning with increasing responsibility. The initial three months will involve fewer working days per week while foundational skills and competence are developed.

Progression will depend on demonstrated ability rather than simply the time spent training.

Stage 1: Learn the Nursery

The focus is on understanding the nursery environment and developing practical horticultural skills.

You will learn:

The nursery layout, growing areas and plant varieties.
Plant identification and basic plant-care requirements.
Watering practices and monitoring growing conditions.
Seed sowing, germination, propagation and transplanting.
Preparation and use of soil, compost and growing media.
Plant-health monitoring and the identification of common challenges.
Nursery hygiene, plant handling and maintenance procedures.
Seedling trays, containers, tools and growing equipment.
Stock identification, labelling and basic recordkeeping.
Daily routines and established nursery procedures.

Stage 2: Build Production Skills

The focus shifts towards understanding how individual growing activities fit into the nursery’s overall production plan.

You will begin to:

Organise routine nursery activities and manage your workload.
Plan sowing and propagation activities in advance.
Monitor plants through their different stages of growth.
Track production quantities, losses and progress.
Maintain accurate plant stock and production records.
Understand seasonal changes and their effect on growing schedules.
Identify potential shortages, production delays and stock imbalances.
Compare available stock against anticipated demand.
Identify problems and communicate them promptly.
Contribute ideas for improving nursery efficiency.

Stage 3: Develop Operational Responsibility

As competence increases, the focus moves towards managing nursery activities more independently.

You will work towards demonstrating the ability to:

Coordinate daily nursery operations.
Maintain up-to-date production schedules and stock records.
Plan propagation and planting according to demand and seasonal requirements.
Monitor production against agreed targets.
Anticipate future stock requirements and identify production gaps.
Respond appropriately to plant-health challenges and changing growing conditions.
Identify when additional supplies, resources or adjustments are required.
Provide regular updates and practical feedback.
Take responsibility for completing tasks and following through on decisions.

Stage 4: Progress Towards Nursery Management

The final objective is to develop the ability to manage the nursery’s daily operations with an appropriate level of independence.

This includes planning production, maintaining plant health, monitoring stock availability, coordinating activities, managing resources and working towards agreed targets.

Progression into permanent Nursery Manager employment will be considered once the required competence, reliability, judgement and accountability have been demonstrated, subject to business requirements and the agreed employment arrangements.

The training period may extend beyond the initial three months if additional development is required.

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3. Roles & Responsibilities

3.1 Plant Care & Nursery Maintenance

You will learn and progressively take responsibility for the practical work required to maintain healthy plants and productive growing areas.

Responsibilities include:

Monitoring plant health, growth and general condition.
Watering plants according to their needs and growing conditions.
Identifying signs of pests, disease, nutrient deficiencies and environmental stress.
Maintaining clean, organised growing areas and appropriate plant spacing.
Removing damaged or unhealthy plant material where appropriate.
Monitoring growing conditions and reporting problems.
Following established procedures for plant care, hygiene and growing inputs.
Identifying recurring plant-health challenges and helping determine appropriate responses.

The objective is to maintain healthy plants while identifying problems early enough to limit avoidable losses.

3.2 Seed Sowing, Propagation & Plant Production

Reliable plant production begins with effective propagation and consistent care throughout the growing cycle.

Responsibilities include:

Planning and carrying out seed sowing, germination, propagation and transplanting activities.
Preparing seedling trays, containers, soil, compost and growing media.
Monitoring germination rates and seedling development.
Caring for plants through their different growth stages.
Maintaining accurate records of varieties, quantities and sowing dates.
Monitoring production progress and expected plant readiness.
Identifying poor germination, plant losses and delays.
Coordinating propagation activities to maintain an ongoing supply of plants.
Planning future batches according to anticipated demand and production requirements.

The emphasis is on producing healthy, suitable plants in the quantities and timeframes required.

3.3 Production Planning & Scheduling

Production planning is a central responsibility of the Nursery Manager.

Plants take time to grow, and production must begin early enough to meet future requirements. You will learn to plan ahead rather than react only when stock runs low.

Responsibilities include:

Developing and maintaining nursery production schedules.
Planning sowing, propagation and transplanting activities in advance.
Monitoring plants at different stages of production.
Estimating when plants will be ready for sale or transfer.
Tracking planned production quantities against actual progress.
Identifying production gaps, delays and potential shortages.
Adjusting schedules where appropriate.
Prioritising production according to demand, growing cycles and available resources.
Maintaining an up-to-date overview of what is growing, what is ready and what needs to be produced next.

The objective is to keep production organised, predictable and aligned with the nursery’s requirements.

3.4 Seasonal Planning & Changing Growing Conditions

Seasonal changes influence germination, growth rates, plant health and the availability of different varieties.

Responsibilities include:

Understanding how seasonal conditions affect plant production.
Planning ahead for seasonal planting requirements.
Adjusting production schedules to account for changing temperatures, weather and growing conditions.
Monitoring how different plant varieties respond to seasonal changes.
Identifying seasonal risks that could affect production or availability.
Anticipating potential shortages and planning accordingly.
Recognising when production timelines need to be adjusted.
Communicating changes that may affect planned quantities or availability.

The objective is to maintain an appropriate production pipeline throughout changing seasons.

3.5 Stock Management & Demand Forecasting

The nursery must maintain a clear picture of current stock, future availability and expected demand.

Responsibilities include:

Maintaining accurate records of plant varieties, quantities and availability.
Tracking plants ready for sale, plants still growing and future production.
Monitoring stock movements, losses and shortages.
Comparing available stock and planned production against anticipated demand.
Identifying fast-moving varieties, slow-moving stock and potential surpluses.
Determining which plants need to be propagated and in what quantities.
Monitoring seeds, growing media, containers and other nursery supplies.
Identifying purchasing requirements before shortages disrupt production.
Using available sales information and stock records to inform future planning.

The emphasis is on maintaining appropriate stock levels while reducing avoidable shortages, overproduction and waste.

3.6 Production Targets & Performance Monitoring

The Nursery Manager must understand whether the nursery is producing what is required, on schedule and to the expected standard.

Responsibilities include:

Working towards agreed production targets and operational expectations.
Monitoring production quantities, plant losses, propagation success and plant readiness.
Comparing actual results against planned production.
Identifying factors affecting targets, including seasonal conditions, plant-health challenges and resource limitations.
Recognising production delays and communicating when targets are at risk.
Recommending practical adjustments where necessary.
Monitoring the results of corrective actions.
Reviewing production records to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Providing accurate updates on progress, challenges and expected outcomes.

Targets should reflect plant quality, availability, production requirements and responsible resource use, rather than quantity alone.

3.7 Nursery Organisation & Resource Management

Efficient nursery operations depend on organised workspaces, appropriate materials and consistent routines.

Responsibilities include:

Organising daily nursery activities according to priorities.
Coordinating watering, propagation, transplanting and maintenance.
Ensuring tools and equipment are clean, organised and in good working order.
Monitoring the availability of materials required for planned activities.
Using growing media, containers and other supplies responsibly.
Maintaining accurate records of stock, materials and production activities.
Identifying operational inefficiencies and recurring problems.
Recommending improvements to workflow and resource use.
Following established procedures and safety requirements.

The objective is to keep the nursery functional, organised and productive without unnecessary waste or delays.

3.8 Reporting, Communication & Feedback

Accurate communication is essential for effective nursery planning and decision-making.

Responsibilities include:

Providing regular updates on production progress and stock availability.
Reporting plant-health issues, production delays and unexpected losses.
Communicating shortages and resource requirements in advance.
Highlighting when production schedules or targets may not be achieved.
Giving constructive feedback and practical recommendations where necessary.
Identifying recurring challenges and suggesting possible solutions.
Maintaining records that support informed planning and operational decisions.
Communicating relevant requirements with Phoenix Herbal Centre and, where appropriate, CannaMazing.

The expectation is to communicate early, accurately and constructively, rather than waiting for problems to affect production.

3.9 Independent Work & Nursery Management

As competence develops, you will progressively assume greater responsibility for the overall operation of the nursery.

You will be expected to:

Recognise what needs attention without constant instructions.
Plan and prioritise work according to production requirements.
Maintain accurate records and follow through on tasks.
Anticipate upcoming production and resource needs.
Identify operational problems and take appropriate action within your authority.
Monitor progress against agreed schedules and targets.
Make routine decisions within established procedures.
Communicate significant issues, risks and delays.
Seek guidance or approval when required.
Take accountability for the quality and completion of assigned work.

Independence means taking ownership of responsibilities and their outcomes while following procedures and communicating when decisions exceed your authority.

3.10 Continuous Improvement: Plan Ahead, Grow Efficiently

The nursery should continually improve its planning, production consistency and use of resources.

This includes:

Identifying avoidable plant losses and production delays.
Improving production schedules and stock records.
Reviewing recurring plant-health challenges.
Identifying opportunities to improve propagation success.
Reducing unnecessary waste of growing materials and supplies.
Improving the organisation of nursery areas.
Evaluating whether production adjustments achieve the intended results.
Recommending practical improvements based on observations and records.

Ideas and feedback are encouraged. Changes affecting safety, significant expenditure or established production procedures must be appropriately authorised before implementation.

4. What Is Expected of You

The Trainee Nursery Manager is expected to combine practical work with developing planning, organisational and management abilities.

You are expected to:

Take ownership of your work and responsibilities.
Work reliably and consistently.
Learn and follow established procedures.
Plan ahead and prioritise tasks.
Maintain accurate production and stock records.
Monitor plant health and recognise problems early.
Understand the importance of seasonal planning and production timing.
Keep stock and production information up to date.
Work towards agreed targets and standards.
Communicate challenges, shortages and delays promptly.
Provide constructive feedback where necessary.
Use time, materials and resources responsibly.
Accept feedback and continue developing your skills.
Demonstrate increasing independence and accountability.

You are not expected to know everything when training begins. You are expected to learn, apply what you learn and demonstrate consistent progress towards taking responsibility for the nursery.

5. Skills & Competencies

The pathway focuses on developing the following skills:

Horticulture: Understanding plant care, propagation and growing requirements.
Production planning: Scheduling planting and propagation activities to meet future needs.
Seasonal awareness: Anticipating changes in growing conditions and production timelines.
Stock management: Monitoring plant availability, supplies and production requirements.
Demand forecasting: Using available information to anticipate what needs to be grown and in what quantities.
Target management: Monitoring production against agreed schedules and expectations.
Problem-solving: Identifying plant-health and operational challenges and responding appropriately.
Organisation: Coordinating daily activities and maintaining accurate records.
Communication: Providing clear updates, reporting problems and giving constructive feedback.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for assigned work and results.
Continuous improvement: Identifying practical ways to improve production, efficiency and consistency.

Previous nursery experience and formal qualifications are not required to begin. These competencies are intended to develop through paid training, practical experience, guidance and assessment.

6. Training Remuneration & Performance Incentives

The initial training period is paid.

The purpose of this period is to develop the practical knowledge, production-planning skills and operational competence required to manage the nursery.

Following successful training and assessment, permanent employment as Nursery Manager will be considered.

The intended permanent remuneration structure will include:

A fixed salary.
Performance-related incentives linked to agreed targets and responsibilities.

Performance measures may relate to production planning, plant availability, stock management, production consistency and other relevant nursery objectives.

The fixed salary, incentive calculations, performance measures and payment conditions will be confirmed in the applicable employment agreement or written schedule.

Permanent employment and progression are subject to demonstrated competence, performance, business requirements and the agreed employment arrangements.

7. Working Arrangements

The working arrangement is designed to allow competence to develop progressively.

During the initial three months, the trainee will work fewer days per week while learning the nursery’s systems, plant-care routines and production requirements.

As practical ability and responsibility increase, working days and duties will progressively expand, with the aim of reaching a full-time schedule of five days per week.

The schedule and progression will take account of the trainee’s development and readiness to handle the role’s responsibilities.

The work is hands-on and may involve standing, bending, lifting and moving plants, seedling trays, containers, growing media and other nursery materials.

As the trainee progresses towards management, the role will increasingly combine practical horticultural work with production planning, recordkeeping, stock monitoring, coordination and decision-making.

The objective is to develop the ability to manage the nursery effectively through good planning, consistent systems and responsible use of resources.

8. About Phoenix Herbal Centre

Phoenix Herbal Centre is a plant nursery and natural health business focused on growing vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs, ornamental plants, fruit trees and other useful plants.

Our work connects plant cultivation with practical applications, from growing herbs and vegetables to developing natural products.

Phoenix Herbal Centre operates on the same premises as CannaMazing. Although the businesses operate separately, they work alongside one another and collaborate on developing products that bring together plants and materials from both businesses.

This working environment connects different aspects of plant production, horticulture and cultivation while maintaining the distinct focus of each business.

The Trainee Nursery Manager role falls under Phoenix Herbal Centre and focuses on the nursery’s production, plant care, stock management and day-to-day operations.

The opportunity provides a practical foundation for developing skills in horticulture and agriculture, with potential for further growth as competence and responsibility increase.

9. Progression into Permanent Nursery Management

The purpose of the training pathway is to develop someone capable of managing the nursery’s day-to-day operations with an appropriate level of independence.

Progression will depend on demonstrated competence, reliability, practical understanding, organisation and readiness to take responsibility.

The individual should progressively demonstrate the ability to:

Maintain healthy plants and organised growing areas.
Plan and coordinate propagation and production schedules.
Monitor seasonal requirements and adjust plans appropriately.
Maintain accurate stock and production records.
Forecast demand and anticipate future production requirements.
Monitor production against agreed targets.
Identify shortages, delays and plant-health challenges.
Coordinate daily activities and use resources responsibly.
Provide clear updates and constructive feedback.
Take accountability for nursery performance and operational standards.

The intended outcome is progression towards permanent Nursery Manager employment, with a fixed salary and performance-related incentives, once the required competence and readiness have been demonstrated and the employment arrangements have been agreed.

The training period is developmental rather than an automatic promotion based on time served.

10. Overall Purpose of the Position

The purpose of the Trainee Nursery Manager pathway is to develop an individual who can manage the Phoenix Herbal Centre nursery as a productive, organised and demand-responsive operation.

The role begins with practical plant care and nursery maintenance, progressing towards responsibility for production planning, seasonal scheduling, stock availability, demand forecasting, performance monitoring and daily operations.

The successful progression into nursery management requires the ability to look ahead, anticipate requirements, recognise problems early and ensure that production remains aligned with nursery needs.

The ultimate objective is to maintain healthy plants, reliable production, appropriate stock levels, accurate records and efficient nursery operations.

Learn the plants. Plan the production. Manage the nursery. Grow with purpose.

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