We are currently hiring for Plant Nursery Manager for 2026!

NURSERY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Overview

Gayle Gardens is seeking an experienced, passionate Nursery Manager to oversee all aspects of our 3.2-acre nursery operation in West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard. This position is essential to fulfilling our mission of restoring native ecosystems, supporting innovative soil health practices, and serving as a vital resource for our island community. The Nursery Manager will work closely with the owner/founder to manage daily operations, staff development, plant production, inventory management, and strategic growth of the nursery business.

This is a full-time leadership position for someone who shares our commitment to regenerative practices, native plants, and fostering a sacred relationship between people and the natural environment.

Core Responsibilities

Nursery Operations & Plant Production:

• Oversee all daily nursery operations including plant propagation, growing, maintenance, and quality control

• Manage greenhouse and outdoor growing areas to ensure optimal plant health and production

• Develop and implement annual production goals for native plants, perennials, and specialty varieties

• Monitor and maintain proper watering schedules, soil conditions, fertilization, and pest/disease management using organic and regenerative practices

• Coordinate seed collection, processing, propagation from cuttings, and growing schedules

• Ensure plants are properly acclimated to Martha's Vineyard's coastal conditions

• Maintain plant inventory tracking systems and ensure accurate record-keeping

• Manage receiving and quality assessment of plant deliveries from suppliers

Team Leadership & Development:

• Directly supervise and mentor retail nursery staff (currently 2-4 team members)

• Create staff schedules and delegate daily tasks effectively

• Hire, train, and develop nursery staff in plant care, customer service, and regenerative practices

• Foster a collaborative, learning-oriented team culture aligned with Gayle Gardens' values

• Conduct regular team meetings and provide ongoing feedback and support

Retail & Customer Experience:

• Oversee retail operations during peak hours as needed

• Ensure exceptional customer service and educational interactions

• Train staff to provide expert guidance on native plants, soil health, and ecological design

• Create engaging plant displays and signage that inspire customers

• Assist with community workshops and educational events

Business Management:

• Manage nursery budget, track expenses, and support profitability goals

• Order nursery supplies including soil amendments, pots, tools, and retail products

• Coordinate with vendors and maintain positive supplier relationships

• Support inventory management and pricing decisions

• Assist with seasonal planning and forecasting demand

• Ensure compliance with nursery regulations and best practices

Infrastructure & Systems:

• Maintain and troubleshoot greenhouse systems, irrigation, and equipment

• Coordinate with facilities support for repairs and infrastructure improvements

• Ensure safe, organized, and efficient work environments

• Maintain equipment including vehicles, tools, and machinery

• Implement and refine standard operating procedures

Strategic Development:

• Collaborate on long-term vision for expanding native plant production

• Support development of propagation programs for rare and native species

• Participate in plant collecting trips as needed

• Stay current on regenerative practices, soil microbiology, and horticultural innovation

• Represent Gayle Gardens at industry events and within the island community

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of nursery, greenhouse, or horticultural management experience

• Demonstrated knowledge of plant propagation, growing systems, and plant health management

• Previous experience supervising and developing staff teams

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Physical ability to perform demanding work: lifting 50+ lbs, standing for extended periods, working in varied weather conditions

• Proficiency with POS systems (Square preferred), inventory management, and basic computer applications

• Valid driver's license

• Weekend availability required; flexible schedule essential during peak seasons

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or certification in Horticulture, Agriculture, Permaculture, or related field

• Experience with native plants and ecological restoration

• Knowledge of regenerative agriculture, soil biology, and organic growing practices

• Experience growing plants from seed and vegetative propagation

• Familiarity with Martha's Vineyard's ecosystems and native species

• Budget management and retail operations experience

• Passion for environmental education and community engagement

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 annually, depending on experience
Hourly Equivalent: $26 - $32/hour (based on full-time schedule)

Benefits may include:

• Employee plant discount

• Professional development opportunities

• Flexible scheduling outside of peak seasons

• Opportunity to work with rare and native species

• Connection to Martha's Vineyard's conservation community

Schedule

Full-time, year-round position (40 hours/week). The schedule varies by season with more intensive hours during spring and summer growing seasons. Weekend availability required. Some early mornings and occasional evenings for events.

Our shift schedule stays the same throughout the season, week-to-week, however open availability is strongly preferred to allow for scheduling flexibility throughout the changing seasonal business. 

Managers will be given their full seasonal schedule at the time of hire.

Due to the seasonal nature of our work and our commitment to serving our community during peak growing seasons, there are certain times throughout the year when we require all hands on deck and cannot accommodate time-off requests. Blackout periods include spring planting season (late April through mid July) and other high-traffic weekends throughout the growing and selling season. We understand the importance of work-life balance and do our best to communicate these dates well in advance so you can plan accordingly. 

Blackout Periods: Due to the seasonal nature of our work, certain times require all team members to be available, including spring planting season (late April-mid July), holiday boutique sale (Thanksgiving week), and other peak periods communicated in advance.